Do Video Games Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Children?

The explosion of popularity in video game systemssyndrome in nature, and many of these are believed
and computer usage has also led to the problem ofto be a result of increased video game
carpal tunnel syndrome coming to the forefront ofplaying.Though carpel tunnel syndrome is usually an
society in general. As carpal tunnel syndrome andaffliction that affects individuals over the age of
other similar injuries continue to increase, and afflictthirty, 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
syndrome and video games. While the generalamong young kids. Bitingly called Nintendonitis or
assumption is made that a correlation does exist, andNintendo thumb by a lot of parents, the constant use
that kids who play a lot of video games will be atof video games is the cause of many repetitive
increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome than thosestrain injuries, of which carpal tunnel syndrome is
who do not, but surprisingly few studies have beenincluded. Not only is the problem because of the
done at his point to confirm or deny that. The mosthome video game systems and computer video
recent studies seem to have some unexpected andgames, but also portable video games and game
startling results.Several recent studies funded by theboy-like systems have only worsened the
federal government suggest that there actually is noproblem.Doctors say that hours of sitting in the same
connection between carpal tunnel syndrome andexact position using the thumb and finger muscles
office work, carpal tunnel syndrome and computerover and over again is what causes muscle imbalance,
use, or carpal tunnel syndrome and playing videoleading to pain and other functional problems. Like in
games. While each of these things may affect certainany activity, some exercise is good, but if you
individuals negatively, most of the studies that havecontinually use the same muscle or groups of muscles
actually been done recently seem to suggest thatwithout exercising their counterpart in order to
individuals who play a lot of video games or do a lotmaintain balance, the end results are going to be
of computer work have the same percentage rateinjury and pain. While most likely a six or seven year
of carpal tunnel syndrome per capita than those whoold child will not get carpal tunnel syndrome no
do not. Though, touting this study may not be thematter how much he/she plays, they will have other
end all, be all, of an argument, because there areinjuries that can make them more susceptible to
many injuries that are similar to carpal tunnelcarpal tunnel in the future.