A Delhi teen underwent spinal surgery due to gaming addiction. Doctors noticed a severe deformity in his spine.
A 19-year-old boy in Delhi had to undergo a spinal surgery after he suffered from partial paralysis from gaming addiction for PubG and remaining isolated in his room for over 12 hours.
Over time, he developed a bent spine and began losing control over his bladder, signs that the spinal cord was under pressure.
In almost a year, his condition had silently worsened due to undiagnosed spinal tuberculosis (TB), and by the time he reached the hospital, he was struggling to walk and even pass urine.
Doctors at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) noticed a severe deformity in his spine—a dangerous condition called kypho-scoliosis, which involves both forward and sideways bending.
Scans revealed that tuberculosis had infected two of his spinal bones (D11 and D12), leading to pus formation and pressure on his spinal cord.
“This was a challenging case due to the double burden of advanced spinal TB and the impact of long-term gaming addiction,” said Dr Vikas Tandon, Chief of Spine Services at ISIC.
To fix the issue, the medical team used spinal navigation technology, a modern technique that helps surgeons place screws and align the spine with high precision, similar to how GPS guides a car.
The surgery involved decompressing the spinal cord, correcting the spine’s shape, and stabilising it with implants.
Within a few days of the surgery, the teen began to show signs of recovery. He regained control over his bladder and started walking again, showing clear signs that the pressure on his spinal cord had been relieved.
Beyond the disease, the case was a stark reminder of how mental health, screen addiction, and physical problems can be deeply connected.
“We are seeing more adolescents with bone and joint problems due to prolonged screen use, poor posture, and lack of movement,” he said.
The boy is now undergoing rehabilitation, which includes physiotherapy to strengthen his body and counselling to address his gaming addiction.
His recovery is being closely monitored to ensure he can return to a normal life—both physically and mentally.
“This case shows why early medical attention, parental awareness, and regular physical activity are so important. Gaming addiction can be more dangerous than it looks, especially when it hides symptoms of serious illnesses like spinal TB,” Dr Tandon said.
As the teen continues his journey of healing, doctors hope his story serves as a reminder to families to look beyond the screen, and pay attention to both the physical and emotional health of children.(IT)
