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      Medical experts explain that although repetitive movements when using a smartphone do not cause arthritis, they can worsen preexisting joint problems. Dr. Natalie Azar, a rheumatologist at NYU Langone Health, clarifies: "There are two main forms of arthritis: osteoarthritis, related to wear and tear of the joints, and inflammatory arthritis, caused by autoimmune diseases. Neither is directly caused by texting."

      However, excessive smartphone use can lead to other musculoskeletal problems. The so‑called "text thumb" is tendinitis — inflammation of the thumb tendons caused by repetitive movements. This condition is characterized by pain, throbbing, swelling, and limited mobility.

      Another common phenomenon is "text neck" — pain and stiffness in the neck that arises from constantly tilting the head forward while using a device. "Every 10 degrees of head tilt adds about 4.5 kg of load to the neck," explains Dr. Azar.

      To reduce discomfort, specialists recommend:

      - taking regular breaks from smartphone use

      - using the voice‑to‑text feature

      - changing the position of the device and the hand when holding it

      - doing light stretches for the fingers

      - using a splint to immobilize the thumb if necessary

      If painful symptoms persist for more than a few days or worsen, it is recommended to see a doctor. Although modern smartphone habits are a relatively new phenomenon, current data do not support a direct link between active texting and the long‑term development of arthritis, reports the website transsibinfo.com.