Saturday, December 27, 2008

Wii-rry Christmas!



Well, just as everyone is settling into their Christmas presents, there are some people who aren’t enjoying their gift-giving!

It seems that up to ten people a week are being hospitalized with injuries caused by playing Nintendo Wii games, prompting doctors in Britain to issue warnings of the dangers associated with the video game system.

“There has been a 100 percent increase in patients complaining of Wii-it is,” Dr. Dev Mukerjee of Broomfield Hospital, Essex, told The Sun newspaper.

Most patients are admitted after playing tennis or running games which involve sudden movements, resulting in tendon stretching or tearing. “It’s possible Wii-itis may lead to rheumatism or arthritis later in life. Patients often have inflamation of the shoulder or wrist,” said Dr. Mukerjee.

Another common injury is dubbed Wii-knee, blamed on the bending of the knee from the Wii-Fit game. This involves a special platform and a series of movements ranging from yoga to strength-training moves. In extreme cases, the kneecap can be dislocated or pop out of joint.

Doctors treat Wii-knee with cortisone injections, icing, and anti-inflammatory painkillers. Treatment can last for three months.

Wow! Well, at least a Wii wasn’t under our tree on Christmas morning! That’s good news and bad news. I think, from watching the TV commercials, a Wii would be fun to play. I love video games and think I would enjoy this particular unit. However, I certainly don’t want to be rushing off to the hospital (again!). So, we’ll wait until Evan is a little older to consider purchasing a Wii or any other game console.

Any experience with a Wii? Playstation?

6 comments:

  1. I've never played a Wii--it looks like too much work. Now I love to play football on Playstation 2. NCAA is my game. I play as Alabama of course. Created myself as a running back even though I'm as big as a tackle. I don't get to play as much anymore. I may try to squeeze in a game over the weekend.

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  2. Be sure to play the Utes...and maybe run up the score on them!

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  3. I could get into Wii exercise. But that's it. I am not into video games at all. But in a few weeks the exercise will begin and by this time next year I aim to be back to my normal little petite self. Bring on Wii yoga. However, I don't have a Wii so I guess it's the old fashioned DVDs that I'll be using.

    Heidi

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  4. Wii got the kids a Wii for Christmas this year! We've already played it for hours!

    I definately have wii-elbow and wii-shoulder! Who thought that playing a video game could be strenuous! But BOY! It is fun!

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  5. We got the Wii last year! I cannot begin to tell you how much fun we've had with it! We've used it at family gatherings.... Last Sunday night - we took it to the physical church building for a party we were hosting for our 18 to 25 year old group!

    I know just as many adults who have fun playing the Wii as I do children. Just sayin'... some thing to think about! Talk about a non-threatening way to invite others to your home!

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  6. I wonder if Tonya would buy that reasoning for me to get one!!! I'll give it a shot...a witnessing tool...not fun for us.

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I can't wait to read what you have written.