Recently, "developing tendonitis from playing airplane games" has become a trending keyword among netizens. Ms. Xu from Hangzhou became the first reported case after obsessively playing "Airplane War." Experts advise moderation when gaming on touchscreen phones, recommending a ten-minute break every half hour.
【Case Study】
Recently, "WeChat Plane War" has become a hot topic among netizens. The classic Plane War game built into WeChat 5.0 has sparked a nationwide mobile gaming craze, even surpassing the fervor of the "midnight vegetable stealing" phenomenon. However, among the "fanatics," some have experienced "too much of a good thing."
Ms. Xu from Hangzhou played for hours on end—on buses, during work breaks, even in the restroom. Driven by the desire to climb the leaderboards, she swiped frantically for hours, sometimes even playing while her phone was charging. Eventually, her finger became excruciatingly painful. Doctors diagnosed her with stenosing tenosynovitis.The injury affected the joint where her right thumb meets her palm, causing stiffness in her fingers. Fortunately, Ms. Xu's condition was still in the acute phase. The doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory pain medication and administered a local nerve block injection.
Take a ten-minute break every half hour.
While tendonitis typically affects middle-aged and elderly individuals, gaming-related cases predominantly occur among younger people.Once tendonitis develops, the most crucial step is adjusting lifestyle habits. Whether posting on social media, texting, or gaming, it's best to take a break and change positions every 10 minutes or so. When stabbing pain begins, rotating the wrist can help relieve discomfort. Applying heat to the painful area and undergoing physical therapy are also beneficial. Tendonitis typically requires at least two weeks of treatment. If physical therapy proves ineffective, anti-inflammatory pain relievers can be used.
Experts caution against excessive use of touchscreen phones or tablets. If you must use them, avoid maintaining the same posture for extended periods. Ideally, pause every half hour to stretch your fingers in the opposite direction, allowing the finger tendons to rest. Experts emphasize that the best way to prevent "finger ailments" is to give your fingers adequate rest.
Tendinitis Self-Assessment
1. Pain and warmth occur when the wrist is straightened or bent.
2. Swelling appears when straightening or bending the thumb, occasionally accompanied by hard lumps and clicking sounds.
3. The affected area often feels not only painful and swollen but also hot. As it worsens, tendonitis can directly impact studies or work.
4. If infection spreads to the subcutaneous tissue during tendonitis, the tendon sheath area will become red and swollen.
Exercise and Care Methods for Stenosing Tenosynovitis
Wash hands with warm water:
Develop the habit of washing hands with warm water after work. Avoid cold water. Move your hands regularly and perform self-massage. Early treatment is crucial to prevent the condition from becoming chronic and increasing treatment difficulty.
Rotate wrists:
When stabbing pain begins, gentle hand exercises can alleviate discomfort. Wrist rotation is one simple movement. Rotate wrists for about 2 minutes. This engages all wrist muscles, restores blood circulation, and corrects wrist bending posture. Wrist pain caused by this bending posture is a normal symptom.
Arm Raises:
Raise your arms above your head, rotating both your arms and wrists simultaneously. This helps realign your shoulders, neck, and upper back while releasing tension and pressure.Bend your neck forward and backward, touch both shoulders with your head, twist your neck, and look over your left shoulder and right shoulder.
Fist Exercise: Gently clench your fist, then open it, straightening your fingers. Repeating this exercise helps relieve tingling sensations.