Thumb Pain: Does it Have to do With My Phone?

It comes at no surprise that Americans like their smartphones and use them daily. In 2019, the average American adult (18 years and over) spends 3 hours and 43 minutes on their phone per day (Wurmser, 2019). Use of smartphones lead to repetitive motions with scrolling of the thumb. As one may suspect, or may have experienced themselves, increased complaints of thumb pain have been reported. There is even a new term in the medical field, “texting thumb,” also known as gamer’s thumb. Houston Methodist Health (2019) describes texting thumb as occurring from repetitive use, where the inflamed tendons rub against a narrow tunnel, causing pain. 

As more people are working from home, increased complaints of tightness and soreness are brought up in the clinic. Many recognize that their computer setup at home is just not the same as at the office. Though we may not be inclined to go out and buy new chairs, desks, and computer screens immediately, there are things we can do to help reduce discomfort while working at home. 

Knee pain is commonly seen in the physical therapy clinic, especially anterior knee pain. This syndrome is typically explained as pain below the kneecap, in the front of the knee, which is felt during knee flexion movements, such as squatting or descending stairs. PFPS is due to poor patellar tracking during knee flexion and extension movements.

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is a modality used to briefly occlude arterial and venous blood flow. The blood flow is occluded by a tourniquet cuff set at a specific percentage pressure relative to the individual’s total limb occlusion. BFR has shown to enhance muscle strength, endurance, hypertrophy, and can even serve as a pain analgesic. As a clinician, I use BFR most with my post-op patients, specifically ACL repairs. In the early stages of rehab for an ACL repair, the patient is under load restrictions for bodyweight exercises. BFR is a great way to enhance the muscle strength needed to progress in this rehab process. The idea is to perform exercises at 20-30% of the 1-rep max, but with the occlusion, the body is challenged by the submaximal loads. Muscle strength and hypertrophy can be enhanced in the early stages of rehab thus optimizing the progression to the next phase of exercise, typically without the post-operative knee brace. 

What is ITB?

The iliotibial band, ITB for short, is a structure that begins at the hips and travels down to the knee attaching into the knee. At the hip, multiple muscles including the tensor fascia latae, the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, and more, insert into the ITB. The ITB becomes a thick, fibrous band of fascia that extends to the knee where it attaches into multiple structures providing stability, support, and an energy storage system. The ITB, due to its multiple attachments sites both proximally and distally, may cause pressure in a number of different structures. 

I think it all starts out with a smile and a welcoming hello.  Customer service involves all employees, all the people that walk through the door, and every phone call.  It is about communication and making people feel important.  In physical therapy, we need to get patients in as soon as possible to help them start feeling better. We need to give them the information regarding their insurance/authorization correctly and in words that they understand. Patients need to be involved in their initial evaluation (goals and plan) and need to feel heard.  We should introduce them to the whole physical therapy team. They should know what the plan is for their therapy and feel comfortable doing the exercises on their own and at home. The patients should feel safe, “under good hands”, and they should know that they can ask questions at any time. We want them to want to come to physical therapy because we care for them and we are doing everything possible to get them feeling better and back to where they want to be.  The goal is that patients recommend us to their physician, family, and friends.

Have you ever been frustrated with still having symptoms in your neck and arms or not progressing with treatment due to significant symptoms in your upper body?  Then you may be dealing with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS).  TOS is a narrow space between your collarbone and first rib, and is characterized by different neurovascular signs and symptoms involving your neck and upper limb and involves compression of the neurovascular bundle as it exits the thoracic girdle (aka upper back and space between neck and shoulder).  More specifically the compression is thought to occur at one or more of these three regions:  the interscalene triangle (front of your neck to collar bone), the costoclavicular space (collar bone, shoulder blade, and first rib), and the retropectoralis minor spaces (pecs, anterior chest wall, and subscapularis muscle).

See Mandy’s post that encompasses her recovery: https://www.facebook.com/mandypursley/posts/10158269445448830

At ProActive Physical Therapy, we work hand in hand with surgeons to provide the best post operative outcome. Throughout the healing process we follow the surgical protocols, and send the surgeon frequent updates regarding progress. An important part of the rehab process for us is helping the patient’s maintain motivation and a positive outlook because it can be devastating to have to suddenly stop your favorite activities due to an accident.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are spending hours on our computers and phones. Increased time spent on your computer and phone and less time being active can increase the risk for aches and pains. To add to your exercises or walking routine, here are a few go-to stretches from head to toe that you can do daily to help maintain your flexibility, avoid repetitive strains, address your posture and improve overall well being. Should you participate in these stretches, avoid pain, be safe, and have fun!

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a time to meet with a therapist either in person or through telehealth, please contact the professionals at ProActive Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine at (760) 444-0102.

To ensure patient and staff safety and comfort, we are following all CDC guidelines which include but is not limited to: requiring masks to be worn at all times for all therapists, staff, and patients, requiring therapists to wear gloves while treating, and constant sanitization of equipment and all used surfaces. These stretches can also be found at: https://proactive4pt.com/simple-stretches-while-at-home/

I entered the medical field with the intention of being able to help individuals to better health and reach their goals. I specifically chose the profession of physical therapy because of the unique amount of time spent with patients. Patient care starts with getting to know the patient on an individual level and then treating them with what they need.

Customer service is important because it is the direct one-on-one interaction between a patient and a representative of the company and is a critical factor in ensuring patient satisfaction and encouraging repeat business. My goal with each patient is to be engaging and attentive to their needs and make them feel their time is worth it. Both patient care and customer service are crucial for successful business and patient outcomes.