What Risks Are Your Kids Taking When Using Handheld Games?

Gone are the days of playing tic-tac-toe in the driveway. Instead, children are playing video games on consoles, handheld gaming devices, and even mobile phones. What does this trend mean for your child?

According to a recent study, kids aged 9-15 will suffer from hand & wrist pain when playing video games. Other numbers revealed in the study show that children will suffer from worse pain playing video games on a console and handheld gaming devices than they will on a mobile phone. However, girls reported twice the amount of pain when playing video games on a mobile phone. Other statistics included hand and wrist pain increasing twice the amount each additional hour played.

While it is difficult to gauge the long-term effects that video games have on hands and wrists, one thing is certain, repetitive use often leads to pain.

“Tendons and ligaments in the hands and wrists are oftentimes subjected to overuse injuries,” says Dr. David M. Auerbach, hand and upper extremity surgeon at Southern California Orthopedic Institute. “Treatment options for this type of pain vary, but limiting activity as well as rest and relaxation can help.”

Are you suffering from hand and wrist pain? The experts at Southern California Orthopedic Institute can help return you to an active lifestyle. Schedule an appointment today at (877) 933-3387.

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