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Excessive Smartphone Use as a Risk Factor for Clinical Signs Compatible with De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: A
Bartosz Pomianowski1, Leon Smółka1,2, Karolina Blady1,2
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Background:
Excessive smartphone use has become an integral part of daily life among young adults, potentially leading to repetitive strain conditions involving the tendons of the wrist. One of the most frequent disorders linked to such overuse is de Quervain's tenosynovitis, which affects the tendons within the first dorsal compartment. As mobile device use continues to rise worldwide, understanding its musculoskeletal implications is essential for prevention and early clinical management.
Aim:
This study aimed to examine the association between smartphone usage patterns-specifically screen time and unlocking frequency-and clinical signs consistent with de Quervain's tenosynovitis in young adults, with special attention to the dominant hand.
Materials And Methods:
Data were obtained from an original cross-sectional survey assessing smartphone usage behaviors, addiction severity (Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, SAS-SV), and musculoskeletal symptoms using the Finkelstein maneuver. A total of 202 participants were included in the analysis. Statistical evaluation employed Spearman's rank correlation, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression to identify relationships between device usage, addiction level, and pain occurrence in the dominant hand.
Results:
The findings demonstrated a significant positive association between the intensity of smartphone use and self-reported wrist pain. Pain correlated moderately with both the number of phone unlocks (ρ = 0.596, p < 0.001) and daily screen time (ρ = 0.524, p < 0.001). Participants classified as addicted according to the SAS-SV scale exhibited greater usage intensity, which corresponded with increased pain prevalence.
Conclusions:
Frequent and prolonged smartphone use, reflected by higher unlocking frequency and screen exposure time, was significantly associated with clinical features suggestive of de Quervain's tenosynovitis in the dominant hand. Users meeting the criteria for smartphone addiction showed greater symptom severity. The diagnosis was based exclusively on clinical examination without imaging confirmation.
