An affliction once thought limited to the adult world of office typing has spread into the youthful playpen of living room video games.

Some call it Nintendonitis or Nintendo thumb, but it may be known more widely as repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel syndrome.




Seven-year-old Jordan can rapidly thumb the gaming controls for stretches of six or seven hours at a time, a passion that has caused headaches and pain, says his mother Kerry Maxwell, a physiotherapist in Vancouver.

Jordan has experienced "upper back and neck pain, the occasional forearm, thumb and finger irritation," said Maxwell.

"And also my thumbs get a little sore," added Jordan.

Jordan Maxwell: 'my thumbs get a little sore.'
Jordan Maxwell: 'my thumbs get a little sore.'

But since reducing the gaming sessions to no more than a half-hour at a time, the pain and headaches have gone away.

It's the hours of sitting in one position repeating the same motions over and over again that is the problem, says Vancouver ergonomist Peter Goyert who designs office and other equipment to reduce user discomfort.

"These sort of awkward postures can contribute to those types of aches and sorenesses, which over time can develop into potential long-term problems," Goyert told CBC.

Actual studies of gaming-related injuries are scarce. Most cases don't go much beyond a doctor or physiotherapist's office.

But in at least one case the makers of Nintendo were successfully sued by a 17-year-old who developed carpal tunnel syndrome.

Marc Rizzardo, a physiotherapist and consultant to the gaming industry, says the damage to a person's neck, back, hands and tendons can be serious and permanent.

"They need as many breaks as they can, so we encourage them to take breaks," Rizzardo said. "Unfortunately, when they get competitive rest is not a big factor for them."