Let’s be honest, folks, WhatsApp is basically an extension of our arms these days. With a staggering 2 billion active users worldwide, it’s the undisputed king of messaging apps. We churn out a mind-blowing 100 billion messages daily – that’s enough to fill a library with phone-sized novels! But here’s the not-so-secret secret: all this texting love affair can lead to a very real pain in the, well, thumb – a condition us doctors like to call Whatsappitis.

Now, I know “Whatsappitis” sounds like a joke but is a documented medical diagnosis in The Lancet. As an orthopaedic surgeon practising on the IT corridor of Chennai, I get to see on a daily basis much it can disrupt people’s lives. Just last week, I had a young woman named Priya come into my clinic. She’s a whiz with social media, but lately, her WhatsApp habit had turned into a nightmare. Every time she tried to type a message, a sharp pain would shoot up her thumb, making even simple conversations an effort. She looked frustrated and down – WhatsApp, which used to connect her, was now isolating her.

This isn’t uncommon. The constant gripping, swiping, and tapping we do with our thumbs strains the tendons around our wrists. Imagine your thumb tendons like tiny little tightropes. When you overuse them, they get inflamed and irritated, just like a tightrope walker who spends way too much time on the wire.

The symptoms? Ugh, they’re no fun. Priya described a dull ache or a sharp pain right at the base of her thumb, near the wrist. It felt tender to the touch, and even slightly swollen. Simple tasks like holding her phone or picking up a cup of coffee became a struggle.

Look, I get it. WhatsApp is a lifeline. It’s how we stay connected with loved ones, especially in a world where distance is just a video call away. Here in India, we have the most WhatsApp users in the world – over 487 million! That’s a lot of thumbs flying across screens. But we can’t let our WhatsApp obsession turn into thumb pain.

The good news is, we can prevent Whatsappitis! Here are some battle tactics I recommend, based on what’s worked for my patients:

Preventing Whatsappitis Thumb Pain
Take Breaks: Our thumbs need mini-vacations too! Stretch your hands and fingers in between those epic WhatsApp group chats. Get up, move around, give your poor thumbs a chance to breathe.

Hold On Loosely: Ditch the death grip! Hold your phone more loosely, using multiple fingers for support. Imagine cradling a delicate butterfly, not strangling a phone.

Think Outside the Thumb: Give your thumbs a break by using your index finger or even voice typing. There are also ergonomic phone cases and styluses that can make holding your phone more comfortable. Remember, there’s more than one way to navigate the WhatsApp world!

Remember, prevention is key! As in every medical condition Prevention is much better than cure as we prevent the tendons from getting damaged and avoid long term repercussions.

Well if we miss the prevention bus here’s what we need to do.

Treatment for Whatsappitis Thumb Pain
• Rest: Reducing phone usage is essential to allow the inflammation to subside.

• Ice Therapy: Applying ice packs wrapped in a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and pain. Repeat this four to 5 times in a day.

• Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage discomfort.

• Wrist Brace: Wearing a wrist brace for support can limit thumb movement and promote healing.

• Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can recommend specific exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility in the thumb and wrist.

When to See a Doctor
If the pain persists for more than a few days, worsens with activity, or interferes with daily tasks, consult an orthopaedic surgeon. They can diagnose the severity of the condition and recommend appropriate treatment options, which might include stronger pain medication, steroid injections, or even splinting. Very rarely surgery may be recommended.

Our thumbs are the keys to our digital world, and a healthy thumb is a happy thumb. So, let’s keep those thumbs in tip-top shape and keep the WhatsApp love alive – but in a healthy, thumb-friendly way!

Dr. Naveen Chowdary Tummala MS.(Ortho.)
Consultant Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon,
Dr. Naveen’s Bone & Joint Clinic, Sholinganallur