Orthopedic Specialists Warn About 'Gameboy Back' in Kids

Many children and teenagers could end up visiting orthopedic specialists after suffering a back condition being called as "Gameboy back".

This is a typical curvature of the back that develops after playing for long hours over game consoles with a bad posture.

Orthopedic specialists have said that children who spend many hours playing video games carry a risk of suffering this condition. A condition which was earlier seen in adults above the age of 50 is now being seen in children.

Surgeons Piet van Loon and Andre Soeterbroek said that earlier in the days of child labor, more than 100 years ago, children appeared to be suffering from an abnormal curvature of the spine and severe pain in the back.

"Essentially, it's like growing bonsai trees: bone responds in the same way as wood," said Dr van Loon. "If you force it in a certain direction over a prolonged period, that's how it ends up growing."

The remedy is not to stop playing video games but to do so with the right posture.



Source: Medindia