An Investigation On The Effect Of Smartphone Use On Morphological And Radiological Changes Of The Fifth Finger

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to describe the macroscopic and radiological changes on the fifth finger related to mobile phone use and to evaluate the effect of size and weight of the device and the average time spent using the smartphone on these morphological alterations. Methods: One-hundred and one patient were included in the study. Age, weight, height, education, mobile phone data and digital photographs used in this cross-sectional study were obtained from interviews with the participants in an outpatient orthopedics clinic setting. Digital photographs of the dorsal aspects of both hands were taken with an iPhone X ® (dual 12-megapixel wide camera). The DIP joint angle of the fifth finger was measured on computer software (Image J® version 1.46, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD) separately for digital photographs and AP hand X-rays. Results: The proportion of smartphone usage time over 4 hours was significantly higher in patients with complaints than patients without complaints (p<0.05). The mean time of smartphone use over 4 hours was significantly higher in patients with shape discrepancy than in patients without shape discrepancy (p<0.05). Conclusion: Smartphone use of more than 4 hours per day, regardless of size and weight, can cause deformity of the fifth finger, which may disturb the patient even if it does not cause radiologically changes.