Do Video Games Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Children?

The explosion of popularity in video game systemsthat are similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in nature, and
and computer usage has also led to the problem ofmany of these are believed to be a result of increased
carpal tunnel syndrome coming to the forefront ofvideo game playing.Though carpel tunnel syndrome is
society in general. As carpal tunnel syndrome andusually an affliction that affects individuals over the age
other similar injuries continue to increase, and afflictof thirty, though some children have been known to
younger and younger individuals, questions arise as tohave it. Injuries such as tendonitis, bursitis, and other
how relevant a link exists between carpal tunnelinjuries are becoming more and more common among
syndrome and video games. While the generalyoung kids. Bitingly called Nintendonitis or Nintendo
assumption is made that a correlation does exist, andthumb by a lot of parents, the constant use of video
that kids who play a lot of video games will be atgames is the cause of many repetitive strain injuries,
increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome than thoseof which carpal tunnel syndrome is included. Not only is
who do not, but surprisingly few studies have beenthe problem because of the home video game
done at his point to confirm or deny that. The mostsystems and computer video games, but also portable
recent studies seem to have some unexpected andvideo games and game boy-like systems have only
startling results.Several recent studies funded by theworsened the problem.Doctors say that hours of
federal government suggest that there actually is nositting in the same exact position using the thumb and
connection between carpal tunnel syndrome andfinger muscles over and over again is what causes
office work, carpal tunnel syndrome and computer use,muscle imbalance, leading to pain and other functional
or carpal tunnel syndrome and playing video games.problems. Like in any activity, some exercise is good,
While each of these things may affect certainbut if you continually use the same muscle or groups
individuals negatively, most of the studies that haveof muscles without exercising their counterpart in order
actually been done recently seem to suggest thatto maintain balance, the end results are going to be
individuals who play a lot of video games or do a lot ofinjury and pain. While most likely a six or seven year
computer work have the same percentage rate ofold child will not get carpal tunnel syndrome no matter
carpal tunnel syndrome per capita than those who dohow much he/she plays, they will have other injuries
not. Though, touting this study may not be the end all,that can make them more susceptible to carpal tunnel
be all, of an argument, because there are many injuriesin the future.