Every gamer loves gaming! It gives a user a total enthrallment in a fiction world to enjoy the stunts that is hard to accomplish in real life. But do you know that too many gaming sessions can make a delicate impact on your health? If you experience a constant aching pain around and below your thumb, or does it hurt while gripping things, this is a matter of concern. The probability of getting gamers’ thumb symptoms rises which are also known as De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis.
What does Gamers’ Thumb mean?
Either call it gamers’ thumb or De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, the condition is the inflammation of the tendons located at the thumb base. The tendons are involved are wrapped by a stringy white sheath. The tendons are held together by the band making them rub against each other and become irritated when the sheath becomes inflamed.What causes the Gamers’ Thumb to occur?
In general, repeated movements and use of thumb and wrist like if you are holding a gaming controller with the repeated movement of the joystick or typing for long durations.Are playing games are restrictive?
Thankfully no! Other things can lead to the occurrence of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis including the following!- Texting
- Direct trauma to the wrist below the thumb
- Lifting baby
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged overuse of activities like carpentry, golf, or piano
What does gamers’ thumb feel like?
There are several gamers thumb symptoms that get recognized by a patient:- Pain below the thumb after a gaming session
- Tenderness around tendon sheath
- Swelling below thumb
- Light or sensitive grip strength
- Pain that flares up your forearm with thumb movement
- Taking frequent rest breaks between work will help
- You can reduce your playtime period to get relief
- Changing or stopping position on a regular base
- Some stretching can also be proven to be helpful
Do physiotherapy help in gamers’ thumb treatment?
If you are experiencing signs of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, going for physiotherapy sessions can help in managing the injuries of tendons. How will a physiotherapist help in recovering the conditions? Read on to know!- He will perform a thorough history and judgment of thumb and wrist
- Some manual therapy will be performed to relax the muscles surrounding the thumb and wrist. This will be performed to lessen the muscle tone and constraints in thumb movements
- Supporting you with a program for muscle stretching and strengthening which make your thumb move in different directions
- Maybe your health provider suggests you splinting or bracing of thumb for reducing the repeated movement
- You will be advised to make changes in your lifestyle so that you can still do the activities that you love
Treatment for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
The treatment of the condition is required to reduce the inflammation and evade the recurrence of the disease. To accomplish this goal, you can go for the following cure options: Medications- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
- Corticosteroid medication injection
- Icing to the affected area can work as a home treatment for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis home treatment
- Avoid pitching with the thumb with side movement of the wrist
- Avoiding repeated thumb movements
- Impairing the wrist and thumb by wearing a splint can help
- The last option when all the treatments fail to work. Saurgery is associated with common risks and complications, and thus not preferably opted.
