Excessive Gaming Linked to Spinal Deformity and Paralysis in Teen

Doctors in New Delhi have reported a severe spinal deformity in a 19-year-old boy, allegedly caused by prolonged gaming addiction. The teenager spent nearly a year confined to his room, playing online games like PUBG for up to 12 hours daily, leading to physical inactivity, social withdrawal, and eventual neurological decline.

The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) diagnosed the boy with a kypho-scoliotic spinal deformity at the D11 and D12 vertebrae, worsened by undiagnosed spinal tuberculosis. The disease led to abscess formation, compressing his spinal cord and causing mobility and bladder issues.

A complex spinal correction surgery successfully restored the boy’s ability to walk and regain bladder control. Experts have warned of a rising trend in musculoskeletal complications among adolescents due to excessive screen time and sedentary habits. They emphasize the need for awareness, parental monitoring, and early intervention to prevent such severe health consequences.