MONDAY, July 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- "Gamer's thumb" -- a repetitive stress injury -- can strike anyone who spends a lot of time playing video games. But taking breaks can be just what the doctor ordered, a new study suggests.
"Forcefully pounding a game controller or computer mouse for hours can cause inflammation of the tendons of the hand, as well as neck and back pain," orthopedic hand surgeon Dr. Dori Cage said in a news release from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
"Parents can identify signs of gamer's thumb if a child complains about pain or locking and clicking in [their] thumb. To help reduce the risk of kids having this condition, limit their daily gaming to two hours or less," Cage suggested.
Gamer's thumb is technically known as De Quervain's tendinosis. It's an inflammation of the tendons connecting the wrist to the thumb.
Video game fans can develop the problem when they use their thumbs rapidly and repeatedly.
To prevent injury to the thumb and other parts of the body from electronic game play, the academy offers this advice:
More information
For more about De Quervain's tendinosis, visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.