Nintendo Criticized for Injuries

 

While most gamers have had a sore thumb from button-mashing, researchers have issued a more serious warning for Nintendo products.

The British Medical Journal warns users that extended use of Nintendo consoles can lead to a variety of issues from the mild thumb or hand pain from button-mashing, to hand, thumb, and wrist pain associated with "nintendinitis" from extended play, and even "Nintendo seizures." A team of Dutch researchers looked into Nintendo's past and discovered 38 medical issues in two large medical databases; their findings will be published in the Christmas issue of the BMJ. 

Early reports included seizures, dubbed "Nintendo epilepsy" at the time which has been adjusted to "Nintendo seizures" over the years. In 1991, a child sought medical attention for a case of "Nintendo neck" or neck pain that resulted from extended time hunched over his Game Boy. Some children became so engrossed in gameplay that they ignored the need to use the toilet, resulting in reports of incontinence.

When the Wii launched in 2006, a new slew of injury reports surged in. The first Wii-related injury, dubbed "wii-itis," was seen in a 29 year old male who experienced tendinitis after playing Wii Sports for multiple hours. Other reports claimed that extended Wii bowling led to a woman's carpal tunnel syndrome and even two reports of torn Achilles tendons from Wii Sports, dubbed Achilles wii-itis. 

Tennis has been the most dangerous to date; one woman fell and sustained a massive haemothorax, or chest bleed, during a tennis match on her Wii Fit. Others were admitted for strokes after playing the Wii. The researchers concluded that, despite these reports, Nintendo's consoles are safe to use when proper precautions are taken. A Nintendo spokesman echoed this conclusion saying, "he Wii video game system is often credited with getting people up off the couch. 

But, as with any activity, people playing the Wii system, or any other Nintendo product should pace themselves and not overdo it. Nintendo is committed to the safety of its customers and always includes comprehensive health and safety guidelines with its products. Provided these are followed correctly, a user should be able to enjoy their Nintendo product safely."