Gaming is all fun and relaxing until it leads to a serious injury that leaves you in pain. While modern gamers who use more advanced controllers may not experience this, older players experience a phenomenon known as Nintendinitis. This painful injury happened to most players who spent hours playing video games. Their thumbs would swell from inflammation of the ligaments and tendons, and they would often need medical intervention to regain full mobility. What’s the history of this gamer’s nightmare, and what can you do to prevent it?
Early Days of Video Gaming
Nintendo thumb or Nintendinitis, didn’t necessarily start with the Nintendo console. It became an issue shortly after the introduction of the Atari 2600 and Intellivision. These gaming consoles and controllers were used for repetitive gameplay that kept posters glued for hours and hours at a time. It was so bad that there was even a case where a video gamer sued and sought the services of a personal injury lawyer Ohio expert, who was skilled in handling issues like these against video game manufacturers.
Despite this, research into Nintendinitis remained relatively low until the 1980s, when the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) hit the scene. While the NES offered many games compared to previous consoles, the repetitive motions required to play the game only increased. Newer, more interesting games like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros gained global popularity during that period, with people playing and enjoying these games from the comfort of their homes. Unfortunately, the popularity of these games also led to increased cases of the Nintendo thumb.
The Rise of the Nintendo Thumb
The number of Nintendinitis cases during the 1980s continued to rise at an alarming rate. Almost every gamer who spent hours on their console daily went to the hospital with thumb swelling and unimaginable pain. The pain was so bad that it didn’t just stop them from playing the game for a while but also made it difficult for them to take care of regular daily activities.
Despite the extreme pain gamers experience, medical professionals often dismiss it as a minor discomfort. It wasn’t until the 1990s that Nintendinitis was addressed as needing medical attention, not just a minor inconvenience. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) finally recognized it as a repetitive strain injury. This led to a turning point in history. Video gamers started receiving education on the dangers of playing for hours, and game manufacturers had to invest in developing more ergonomic and user-friendly controllers.
Prevention and Treatment
If you are a frequent gamer, there is still a chance that you’ll get Nintendinitis despite the advancement in the manufacturing of video game controllers. You can follow the tips below to reduce the chances of this happening or to completely prevent it.
- Use controllers with modern, ergonomic designs all the time
- Take breaks at intervals to stretch your hands and wrists
- Exercise your thumb to strengthen it even when you are not actively playing.
Adding other computer games that don’t require a controller to the mix may also be a good idea.
Conclusion
If you take these precautions and you still develop Nintendinitis, visit a doctor immediately for treatment. You should not continue gaming with the affected area, and it may become infected, and you may run the risk of losing your thumb.
