Philadelphia woman has "BlackBerry thumb surgery"
Well, it happened. It really happened.
Back in June of 2009, when I had the misfortunate of passing along news that “cell phone elbow” – a new, very real affliction born out of society’s overuse of mobile phones – had debuted in the medical lexicon, the story had an regrettable aura of inevitability.
Because, not unlike the Tommy John surgery of Stephen Strasburg, we kind of all feared something like this might be coming. We knew we were addicted to phones, we just didn’t want the embarrassment of needing a doctor’s attention because of it.
But this, this has to take the cake.
Topping even the humiliating stigma of “cell phone elbow,” a Philadelphia woman has just had what’s been called “BlackBerry thumb surgery,” an operation that removed the inflamed tendons in her thumbs from spending so much time each day on her phone.
The unnamed woman, a mortgage banker, told WTSP Tampa that she uses her iPhone (don’t ask why it’s not called iPhone thumb surgery) up to 12 hours a day, texting back and forth with clients.
“I’m all texted out,” she told the news site, her hands wrapped in bandages from the operation.
While BlackBerry thumb surgery might be a little different from cell phone elbow – the former results in inflamed thumb tendons from texting, while the latter results in forearm pain and the loss of fine-motor skills in your hands from holding a phone to your head – the end game to each condition is equal parts depressing.
By most accounts, the tales of cell phone elbow did little to turn the world off using their handhelds with rabid frequency. But that’s peanuts to what our recovering Philadelphia friend plans to do once she’s able to use a phone again.
In lieu of scaling back her texting habits, the mortgage banker will instead opt for the “hunt and peck” method – using her two index fingers where she did her thumbs before – and continue to text for 12 hours a day.
Please leave your “This is what Ray Bradbury was talking about!” sentiments in the comments below.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: kristy | Sep 1, 2021 11:40:38 AM
welcome to new age people.
Pretty sure im a candidate for that. my thumbs occasionally stiffen up and feel strained. thank you blackberry.
Posted by: Steve | Sep 1, 2021 5:50:25 PM
If only there was a device for holding keys (call it a keyboard if you will) that could be used for inputting information. Until such an amazing device arrives I will have my Dragon speak naturally into the microphone to allow my speech to text software to work. If only there was an app for that.
Posted by: Darlene | Sep 2, 2021 10:22:44 AM
So when does the lawsuit get filed? LOL because you just know that's what's coming next. blackberry thumb.... why doesn't she just get the phone surgically attached! LMAO
People, you never cease to amaze me... loser!
Posted by: Judith Weatherhead | Sep 2, 2021 11:57:15 AM
Nothing against progress in technology- which is moving at an ever increasing rate...
Lots of negatives re some of the insane use of it.
if you are that addicted to your blackberry then put up with the consequences, don't moan.
Posted by: Mary-Lou | Sep 2, 2021 1:28:31 PM
Just think in a few years humans will have evolved to have atrophied legs and HUGE thumbs if we live through driving while texting! Oh, never mind, artificial intelligence isn't too far away - we can get our personal robots to do all of that for us and we won't even have to think about it. Scary stuff.
Posted by: Sam | Sep 2, 2021 1:33:00 PM
Is this a kick on blackberry or what? The headline posts as blackberry thumb surgery but the woman actually uses an iphone.
Posted by: Val | Sep 2, 2021 6:42:39 PM
Seriously? This is some sick and twisted society we live in. I have a blackberry, and yes, I use it alot, but I can't blame anyone or sue anyone for the "risks" involved with using my phone the way I do.
Sad people living in sad times, and I will laugh at them as long as I live. What ever happened to responsibility, accountability and living with repercussions?
Posted by: Adam | Sep 2, 2021 6:42:49 PM
yeah.... the article clearly states the irony in the headline..
congratulations on picking that up.
Posted by: Agnes | Sep 3, 2021 5:35:25 PM
? Send to Andrea
Posted by: Dr J. Steed | Sep 3, 2021 7:19:48 PM
I have absolutely no sympathy for the woman, nor anyone else in the same situation. She created her own problem.