Wii - The Danger of Having Fun
Categories: Fun & activities, Health & safety
Our big family gift this year is a Wii and it is taking all the restraint I can muster not to rip that package open and start playing with it right now. We are like the last people I know to get a Wii and I imagine we will spend a good portion of the next few weeks making up for lost time.If you envision a Wii-filled winter break in your house and you buy into alarmist medical warnings, you might want to keep the name and number of your family doctor handy. According to at least one doctor in Britain, up to ten people a week are hospitalized due to injuries sustained while enjoying the Nintendo Wii game system.
British doctors are calling it Wii-itis and are warning players to beware of games that require sudden movements, which can result in tendon stretching or tearing. "There has been a 100 percent increase in patients complaining of Wii-itis," said Dr. Dev Mukerjee of Broomfield Hospital, Essex.
Not only will Wii-itis knock you out of the game for a while, it could cause problems down the road. "It's possible Wii-itis may lead to rheumatism or arthritis later in life. Patients often have inflammation of the shoulder or wrist," said Dr. Mukerjee.
To be fair, even the Nintendo Website warns of possible injury due to repetitive motions. The site also warns players of possible eyestrain, seizures, electric shock and motion sickness. Whoa! Who knew having fun could be so dangerous?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sandyone 12-23-2008 @ 1:41PM
Sandy, if you guys wake up and unwrap gifts before my family, *we'll* be the last ones getting a Wii!
Merry Christmas!!
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Melissa 12-23-2008 @ 2:34PM
Nope, we don't have a Wii either! Lol, and they have a name for this already? And they are seriously using it in medical facilities?? Wii-itis? My best friend called me and said he was playing the boxing game and he lost track of time....when he stopped, he said his arms were on fire! I'll have to call and tell him he has "Wii-itis" lmao!!
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Jenn 12-23-2008 @ 3:02PM
Somehow it does not surprise me that this is a story on Fox News. I mean, honestly...."alarmist medical warnings" indeed!
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David 12-23-2008 @ 4:18PM
What a bunch of baloney! Wii bowling is less stress than actual bowling, Wii tennis is less risky than actual tennis. Yes, couch potatoes (Dan Quayle spelling) should approach vigorous Wii with the same caution as they would when playing a sport, but only a personal injury lawyer would blame Wii. I'm a physician of 25 years experience and have seen "Nintendo thumb" and a variety of other injuries from excessive usage, but joggers, Jazzercisers, weight lifters, and people taking long walks, etc. all can have aches and pains (or even injuries), from too-much, too-fast.
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belle 12-23-2008 @ 6:01PM
we bought wii xmas gift for our children in 2 days to be open? what's up with these guys! how bad it is that I need to return it? I think excessive use is bad, I don't think i will let my kids play all day long. what can you say any opinion?
David 12-23-2008 @ 8:09PM
Belle:
I'd suggest simply using the game responsibly. Put the safety strap around the wrist (to prevent throwing the controller if you lose your grip), have a reasonably clear space to play (you'll be swinging your arms and legs), and don't play all day long. I had some mildly sore abdominal muscles after aggressive Wii tennis, and a little bit of elbow soreness after an hour of bowling. The perils of being a foolish old duffer - I'm a bit smarter now (and in a bit better physical condition, too). Sure beats the games where you sit and do nothing!