Is there such a thing as gamer's thumb?
Gamer's thumb, medically known as De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, is caused by swelling of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Gamer's thumb is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons are constricted by the sheath that they run through to get from the wrist to the hand.
No, gamers thumbs are not permanent in most cases. However, if you go too long without rest and recovery from gamers thumb, the damage can sometimes last permanently. If you're taking care of your hands and thumb properly, gamers thumb may last only about five hours after playing video games or typing.
Does de Quervain's tenosynovitis require surgery? Doctors and patients can fix most cases without surgery.
Decrease swelling and inflammation by icing your thumb and hand. These Instant Hot/Cold Packs go above and beyond because they activate with one squeeze and don't need to be frozen first. Take one to tournaments for a convenient thumb ice pack during breaks between games.
Trigger Finger/Thumb
The condition can make it difficult to straighten out the finger or thumb and can also cause pain and swelling. The cause of the condition is not always clear, but repetitive hand use and prolonged gripping – such as during gaming – are thought to increase the chance of developing it.
With the thumb gripped in the palm, the patient bends their wrist to the pinky side of their hand. A positive test is one that results in sharp pain along the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons on the thumb side of the wrist and forearm.
Trigger thumb is a simple term for stenosing flexor tenosynovitis of the thumb. This is a narrowing of the flexor tendon sheath which causes a clicking or popping sensation on attempted extension of the thumb.
Untreated Gamer's Thumb can progress and even require injections or surgery if it persists too long. If your pain is constant while playing, or persists throughout the day after playing it is important to rest. Ice the area for 15-20 minutes at a time with a barrier between the ice and your skin.
A mild sprain usually heals within four to six weeks if you wear a splint or cast to immobilize your thumb and refrain from activities that irritate it. A more severe thumb sprain, such as a grade 3 sprain, could take several months before it's fully healed and you're able to use your thumb like normal again.
A sprained thumb can be treated with a brace or cast and will likely take 3-6 weeks to fully heal. If your sprain is severe, you may need surgery. Every patient is different, so visit a hand surgeon to determine the best treatment for your injury.
What are gamer fingers?
Gamer's thumb. Gamer's thumb is the common term for the diagnosis of tenosynovitis from repetitive use of the thumb.
The majority of computer games require the player to use either a computer keyboard or some form of controller, and this often means repetitive and rapid movements of the fingers, wrists and forearms. As a result, gamers are more likely to suffer from RSI – which can trigger the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.
If left untreated, trigger finger can become permanent. If the affected finger or thumb becomes stuck or fixed in a bent position, it can make day-to-day tasks more difficult. However, trigger finger is curable without surgery in most cases.