Tendonitis in the wrist…is the mobile phone to blame?

On average, we spend about five hours a day on a mobile device, smartphone, or tablet. Texting, checking emails, connecting on social media, staying informed, listening to music, taking photos… we spend hours with our mobile in our hands from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. Excessive mobile phone use can cause pain in the thumb and wrist, as the tendons connected to the thumb can develop tendinitis in the wrist. The same, of course, can happen from excessive or incorrect use of the keyboard and mouse. What should we do to avoid tendinitis? Should we abandon technology? By no means! Let's take things in order, starting by studying wrist tendinitis as a condition and then the issue of its management.

What are the symptoms and causes of wrist tendinitis?

Wrist tendinitis is the result of inflammation in one or more tendons due to sudden or repetitive injury. The symptoms of wrist tendinitis depend on the severity of the injury and usually manifest in an extended area rather than a specific spot on the wrist. Common symptoms of wrist tendinitis may include one or more of the following:

• Pain in the wrist tendon that can extend to the elbow or fingers. Sometimes, the pain may start after a task, while in some cases, it can remain constant or increase during a task.
• Reduced strength in the wrist and forearm area during manual work involving pushing, lifting, or throwing objects.
• Swelling of the tendon and adjacent tissues, which sometimes spreads from the wrist to the hand or forearm.
• Stiffness of the tendon, mild to moderate, which can cause reduced range of motion in the wrist.
• Muscle fatigue and cramps when the injury extends to the corresponding tendon muscle.
• Sensation of tendon tearing during wrist joint movement, due to tendon friction against muscles.
• Bruising and burning sensation due to rupture of tiny blood vessels in the affected wrist, which may extend to other parts of the hand or forearm.

The most common cause of wrist tendinitis is repetitive motion that puts pressure on the tendons. This can happen from common daily activities, such as certain sports (rowing, tennis, golf, climbing), computer and mobile phone use, manual and clerical work. However, it can also be caused by injury (fall, blow, or wrist flexion), a structural problem in joints or bones, incorrect wrist posture, and arthritis, diabetes, or aging.

Why are wrist tendons prone to tendinitis?

The muscles and tendons of the forearm, hand, and wrist are constantly at risk of injury due to continuous movements during sports, manual work, accidents, or incorrect hand movements while using a keyboard, mouse, tablet, or mobile phone. Also, tendons have less blood supply than muscles or may experience a lack of adequate blood flow when muscles contract for long periods, leading to pain. Tendons subjected to repetitive movement may experience an increase in their internal temperature and become injured.

Non-surgical treatment for wrist tendinitis

Non-surgical treatments are usually sufficient to resolve inflammation. Depending on the severity of the condition, tendinitis injuries improve within a few days to weeks, except for some chronic cases where improvement may take up to two months. Generally, the following measures help in the recovery of wrist tendinitis:

• Rest.

  It is important to rest the wrist and follow methods for proper wrist support. During rest, avoid strenuous activities and only do some light tasks. Rest periods should be short and repeated at regular intervals for symptoms to subside.

• Specific wrist exercises.

They stimulate collagen production and regulate heat in the tendons, thereby limiting inflammation. Exercises are performed under the guidance of a physiotherapist and are particularly important for athletes who need to return to training after a tendon injury.

• Medication.

The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs can relieve pain.

• Use of health accessory bandages.

Such as a wrist glove and wristband that provide enhanced wrist support and significantly help relieve tendon inflammation.

 

Christou 1910 Wrist Glove

An essential accessory for relieving wrist tendinitis and for resting… overactive hands. It is made of a special advanced technology material that allows the skin to breathe properly without overheating or sweating. It comfortably adapts to every hand thanks to its two adjustable Velcro positions, thus keeping the wrist stable without compressing the hand or restricting its movements. The Christou 1910 wrist glove can be worn without restriction all day for pain relief and quick wrist recovery from injury or fatigue.  

WRIST GLOVE

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Christou 1910 Wristband

Keeps the wrist stable and protected during all hand movements thanks to the adjustable Velcro, which skillfully embraces it without constricting it. At the same time, with its integrated silicone cushion, it massages the entire surrounding area, thus promoting proper blood circulation to the tissues and tendons. The use of the wristband significantly helps reduce pain and aids in the inflammation recovery process.  

WRISTBAND WITH SILICONE CUSHION

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