“Blackberry Thumb” Yes this is actually a condition due to excessive texting and was labelled before the apple revolution. Did you know that figures show that one in six British teens complain of hand pain while texting?
What is it?
It is a nerve irritation in the dorsal sensory part of the radial nerve at the thumb. Possibly caused by excessive texting with a firmly flexed (bent) thumb at an angle. This flexion pressure could cause a stretch of the nerve and subsequent irritation.
If you check out the shaded area on the back of my thumb in the photo below. This is the area that can become numb and pressure applied along the line may increase the numbness and send a “zinging, sharp sensation” into the base of the nail.
Treatment is focused on adapting texting techniques and in particular by encouraging texting with the index fingers which are better suited for such dextrous work. Active radial nerve mobilising techniques including the thumb can be carried out by your physiotherapist!
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