Excessively playing PUBG is causing many to be hospitalised due to life-threatening conditions, including kyphoscoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine
Twelve hours daily. That was the amount of time a Delhi teenager spent indulging in gaming related to PUBG. His family members tried their best to put some sense into him. But he wouldn’t budge, remaining confined to his room, completely engrossed in video games.
Eventually, the youngster ended up in the hospital after facing challenges with mobility and urination.
Excessive gaming had resulted in a notable spinal deformity characterised by kyphoscoliosis—which causes the spine to curve abnormally in both the sagittal and coronal planes.
If you believed this was a unique case, you might want to reconsider. Look around in your house for people overindulging in playing video games now! “We are seeing a disturbing trend of musculoskeletal complications in adolescents, especially due to prolonged screen exposure and sedentary habits linked to gaming,” says Dr Vikas Tandon, Chief of Spine Services at ISIC. He says it is not just about spinal TB — it reflects a growing public health challenge where physical and mental health are deeply intertwined.
Issuing a similar warning is Dr Kaushal Ippili, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals. “Excessive gaming, poor posture, and social isolation can create a perfect storm for delayed diagnoses and serious outcomes,” Dr Kaushal says, highlighting the growing concern around digital addiction and its physical and mental health consequences among adolescents. The solution lies with the parents and guardians. “They need to monitor screen time and encourage regular physical activity to prevent such extreme outcomes,” says Dr Kaushal.
Treatment
1 Medical Intervention: Early diagnosis through physical exams and imaging (X-rays, MRI). Bracing may be used in mild-to-moderate cases of scoliosis or kyphosis.
2 Managing pain can be achieved through the use of medications and physical therapy.
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
1 In severe cases like the Delhi teen’s, spinal surgery may be required to correct deformity and prevent further neurological issues.
2 Post-surgical rehab is essential for recovery and mobility restoration.
Psychological Support
1Address underlying issues such as gaming addiction, anxiety, or depression.
2 Behavioural therapy or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help develop healthier habits.
What is kyphoscoliosis?
Kyphoscoliosis is a spinal deformity in which there is abnormal curvature in two planes. One is a side-to-side plane, and the other is a front-to-back plane. This abnormal posturing causes difficulty in walking and also pain. It can cause to bending in the spinal cord, which is possibly due to stretched ligaments and muscles, which can change the spinal alignment,” says Dr Praveen Kumar Yada, Consultant Neurologist, KIMS Hospitals. While poor posture can develop due to the kyphoscoliosis, the underlying cause is always complex. “Possibly, secondary to a medical condition, or there can be structural bone problems, or in rare cases, there can be a genetic predisposition too. Other causes, such as muscle, neuromuscular junction, ligament causes, and bony causes, have to be ruled out,” adds Dr Praveen.
