‘Phone pinky’: Weird phenomenon changing the shape of our body

A strange phenomenon that is changing the shape of our bodies has emerged – and the chances are, it’s happening to you, too.

There has been a huge spike in the number of Aussies reporting that their mobile phone is changing the shape of their hand.

The average Australian spends 5.67 hours a day on their phone, according to recent data. For Millennials and Generation Z, average screen time per day is even higher, totalling above seven hours.

Many experts have raised concerns about the multitude of health risks our devices are having on us, such as causing poor sleep, anxiety and depression.

But now a strange phenomenon is occurring to our bodies as a direct result of holding our smartphones.

Dubbed “phone pinky”, those affected are reporting an indent in their smallest finger, believed to be caused by the weight of holding their smartphone.

But while initial reports on the apparent change in human anatomy were largely anecdotal, doctors are now confirming they’re seeing patients regularly who are complaining of pain and discomfort caused by prolonged grasping of their devices.

Sydney medical practitioner, Dr Zac Turner, who specialises in preventive health and wellness, said the number of patients he is treating with the condition – also known as “iPhone finger” – is on the rise.

“At least once a fortnight, I will see someone who has some sort of issue caused by mobile phone usage,” he told news.com.au.

“Funnily enough, I am seeing teenagers coming in with pain, almost like a ‘trigger finger’ which occurs when you close your fist and open your fingers up.

“It’s caused by a little bit of calculus that sits along the tendons and ligaments that causes a pain and stiffness when bending and straightening their digits.

There’s been a rise in the number of Australians reporting they are suffering with ‘phone pinky’. Picture: TikTok/@baileyffr

It’s caused by the weight of a mobile device resting on the little finger. Picture: TikTok/@baileyffr

He continued: “The other age group though is the over 65s, they’re all on their phones, they’re all on socials, and they’re doing it one handed.

“I’ve got a number of patients with calluses on their hands created by the phone rubbing on their hand, causing a pressure point.”

Dr Zac said in some severe cases, the situation can develop into carpal tunnel syndrome – a painful condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and forearm.

At its worst, the pain can keep “patients awake at night”.

But perhaps the most confronting symptom of “phone pinky” is the alarming dent left exactly where the phone perches on the little finger.

“I fear I have the worst iPhone pinky,” one woman shared on TikTok recently in a video that showed her smallest digit visibly bent out of shape.

Another sufferer has reported a double dose of the problem after stating in a video that both her pinky fingers are “so crooked and misshapen that they don't lay flat anymore”.

Sydney practitioner, Dr Zac Turner, has said he sees patients regularly who have painful complications caused by their phones. Picture: Instagram/DrZacTurner

While one said her “jaw dropped” when she compared her left hand to her right, which holds her phone, and she saw the “horrifying” difference.

“I can’t put it straight,” she explained of her bent little finger. “I’m shaking trying to... it’s broke.”

Understandably, many sufferers of the phone-induced plight – which has not been formally recognised by the medical industry – have expressed concern over their “deformed” pinkys.

It can leave the pinky finger ‘dented’ and bent out of shape – but is thankfully not permanent. Picture: TikTok/@girlboss4lyfe

Many have expressed concern over their ‘deformed’ hand. Picture: TikTok/@haykayzz

But Dr Zac has explained that in most cases, the damage isn’t permanent, and can be treated.

“I have made a lot of patients buy phone mounts for their homes which takes the strain off their fingers,” he explained.

“As well as changing up how you hold the phone, patients can do exercises, such as using one of those spring loaded devices you can squeeze to improve grip strength or a stress ball.

“You also can try swapping hands and fingers and start using the voice-to-text feature found on most smartphones, as a lot of the issues arise from tapping away.”

With the number of posts for “phone pinky” soaring over 165 million videos on TikTok, many users have joked the strange phenomenon is the “next evolution of humankind”.

“It’s so crazy that our bodies are adapting. It’s weird!” one shared.

“Mad this is happening to us,” another speculated.

Originally published as ‘Phone pinky’: Weird phenomenon changing the shape of our body