"BlackBerry Thumb" - A New Kind of Repetitive Motion Injury

Busy executives love their personal digital assistants. PDAs can help them get more done, especially when they're not in the office. They like having a keyboard with all the letters of the alphabet (and punctuation besides), because they can use it to send email messages. The keys aren't very big, of course. But some people have learned how to type with their thumbs, and have gotten so good at it that they can type almost 40 words a minute.

But now some of these frequent e-mailers have developed pain in their thumbs, hands, and wrists. For some it's just mild discomfort, but for others the pain is so bad that it's interfering with everyday activities.

The condition - tendonitis caused by repetitive motion - is not a new one. What is new is the cause - frequent use of PDAs. It's even been dubbed "BlackBerry Thumb," after the very popular BlackBerry personal digital assistant.

The problem
The main function of the thumb is to stabilize finger and hand movements; it's not meant to be as flexible as the other fingers. So when it's used to push many different PDA keys quickly - and more firmly than regular keys need to be pushed - the repetitive motion can cause the tendons in the area to become inflamed, resulting in tendonitis.

The main symptom is pain - in the thumb, the base of the thumb, the wrist, or the hand itself. So far doctors haven't seen any of the really severe problems they encountered with video gamers in the 1980s; those problems, nicknamed "nintendonitis," could sometimes result in nerve damage. But the pain is bad enough, especially since it's in an area that's used so frequently - the hand.

Treatment
Doctors have tried anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections, and in extreme cases have recommended surgery. There are thumb splints available, but some experts think they do more harm than good. Doctor Andrew Weil's site suggests natural alternatives like acupuncture, homeopathic remedies, and herbal supplements. Some patients have even tried magnetic bracelets. And the spas at Hyatt Hotels are now offering a 30-minute massage that focuses on the arms and hands and even includes a specially-prepared "BlackBerry Balm."

But the obvious solution is rest. Some people have been able to return to using their PDAs after cutting back or doing without them for several weeks. But some have had to give them up entirely - and then had to deal with the feeling that they were much less efficient without them.

Of course, it's actually better to avoid getting tendonitis in the first place. If you have a PDA and tend to use it a lot, here are some tips for keeping your thumbs and hands in good shape:

- Use your PDA for short periods of time only. If you find that occasionally you need to use it a lot, take frequent breaks.

- Type with your fingers rather than your thumbs. You'll probably need to find a different way to hold the PDA in order to do this, but it'll be worth the effort.

- Keep your wrists upright and as straight as possible, and try to support your hands with something (like a pillow).

- Use a full size keyboard as much as possible, especially if you're sending long messages.

- If your thumbs or hands start to hurt, especially when you're using the PDA, cut back on its use. If the pain gets worse, especially if it becomes hard for you to do other things with your hands, or if you have other problems like numbness or tingling, see a doctor.

Used wisely, PDAs like the BlackBerry are great little tools that can help you work more efficiently. But if you want to keep using one you need to take care of your hands. Put down your BlackBerry occasionally and do something non-"techie," like taking a walk or going to the movies with your loved ones. Your loved ones will thank you, your hands will be healthier, and you'll be less stressed. And it'll be much easier to answer all those emails when you go back to work.