title: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the flexor pollicis longus tendon in frequent mobile phone texters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess flexor pollicis longus tendon by using ultrasound imaging in frequent mobile phone texters.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 149 subjects, aged 18-40 yrs, were recruited as frequent mobile phone texters (n = 71) and infrequent texters (n = 78).
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic data and estimate frequency of texting were noted. Thumb pain during activity, range of motion for thumb joints, grip and pinch strengths, and Quick Disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand were evaluated. Standardized bilateral ultrasound evaluations were performed using a linear array probe, and tendon area measurements were done with axial imaging at midthenar region and midproximal phalangeal region with manual trace technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The groups were similar except for the mean estimate number of messages/month (P = 0.001). Whereas grip and pinch strength values were significantly higher (frequent texter group, P = 0.001; infrequent texter group, grip strength P = 0.018; pinch strengths, P = 0.001) on the texting side in both groups, flexor pollicis longus tendons were larger (P = 0.001) and the activity pain was higher (P = 0.005) on the texting sides only in the frequent texter group. Flexor pollicis longus thickness significantly correlated with messages/month only in the frequent texter group (r = 0.592, P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flexor pollicis longus tendons seem to be thicker at the midthenar level in subjects who frequently use mobile phone texting. Because this increase in thickness parallels the number of messages per day, the authors believe that further studies are needed to elucidate whether such changes become problematic later on in life.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University Medical School, Denizli (NA); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Şişli Etfal Education and Research Hospital, İstanbul (BD); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Celal Bayar University Medical School, Manisa (ZÜ); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpaşa Training Hospital, İstanbul (ABÇ, LT); Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Pamukkale University Medical School, Denizli (SA); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey (LÖ).
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: Beril
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dogu
authors.forename: Zeliha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ünlü
authors.forename: Alparslan Bayram
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Çarl
authors.forename: Semih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Özçakar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013710:Tendons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D060145:Text Messaging; D013933:Thumb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult