Video games and e-sports continue to rise in popularity across the world, which has led to more and more people of various ages taking up controllers. However, with this surge in popularity and adoption could come some lesser-known problems. For most of us, our gaming habits do not necessarily impact our health – but that doesn’t mean gaming does not exert its own strains on the body.

Sure, gaming and e-sports are nowhere near as physically demanding as most traditional sports, but they can still lead to injuries from wear and tear. "Gamer’s thumb" is one common example of this.

Although "gamer’s thumb" sounds like it is specific to the world of computer games, it is not limited to gamers. Instead, anyone who takes part in repetitive movements with their thumbs could develop it, including people who text or type a lot, or repeatedly lift heavy objects. For gamers and e-sports players, whether using a console, PC or mobile phone, hours spent tapping on keyboards, twisting, and gripping may make them prone to this problem. 

The technical name for the condition is “de Quervain’s tenosynovitis”. It is an overuse injury, similar to carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger, which causes inflammation of the thumb’s tendons and the sheath that surrounds them. This, it is thought, is caused by the repetitive movement involved in grasping, clenching and pinching movements, which makes the tendon thicken and struggle to move smoothly through its sheath.

The recurring motion can lead to pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb. This can sometimes be accompanied by additional pain along the radial side of the wrist – the side where the thumb is. Some people may also experience difficulty moving their thumb, especially when trying to grasp or pinch something.

Once the pain sets in, it can easily interfere with everyday activities. Carrying objects or performing seemingly simple tasks like opening jars can become painful.

If it is allowed to progress without treatment, the pain may start to impact your gaming performance and experience, due to pain and impaired movement.

If you have symptoms like this, it is worth seeking medical treatment. The longer the issue goes on without care, the worse it can get. In some cases, the pain can spread further into the thumb or down the forearm and movement may become more painful too.

During examination, your doctor will likely examine the thumb and wrist and may request an X-ray of the hand and wrist area. If the diagnosis is positive, then treatment will focus on pain relief and the restoration of the hand and wrist’s function. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend surgery.

Non-surgical treatments include taking anti-inflammatory medications to help ease the swelling and discomfort. Corticosteroid injections are also an option in some cases, and can help lessen pain and inflammation. A doctor may also recommend immobilizing the thumb and wrist area with a brace or splint, this will help prevent further aggravating the affected area.

In many cases, treatment for "gamer’s thumb" is straightforward with treatment. However, the best way to avoid the issue is to avoid prolonged periods of gaming and to have breaks between sessions. This will help prevent injury and let you enjoy gaming without issue.  

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.   

All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to at a later date to keep information current.