Tendinitis == End of Video Game Career?

Grundlterror

So my brother was recently diagnosed with Tendinitis in his right elbow. He's worried he won't be able to play video games with his elbow like this, apparently he isn't supposed to squeeze things with his right hand. Has anyone experienced this before? Are his Halo days over? He's worried about this, but recovery is his top priority.

The_Scarab

Tell him to play PC games. You dont need to squeeze a mouse to use it.

Also, some games are designed to be played one handed. Like Dead or Alive. But I guess if he cant use his other hand to squeeze things there isn't much point.

Grundlterror

Good point with the PC games! He likes that idea, but I think his main game is Halo.

Vmikesmitty

I'm pretty sure that playing video games is not going to provide enough strain on his tendons to do anything.

Better yet, tell him to not hit the buttons so hard. I can't imagine any controller providing enough button travel to injure anything.

Grundlterror

Vmikesmitty wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that playing video games is not going to provide enough strain on his tendons to do anything.

Better yet, tell him to not hit the buttons so hard. I can't imagine any controller providing enough button travel to injure anything.

Yeah, we're thinking this may be the case but when it comes to this we want to be completely sure.

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

How hard do you really need to squeeze a controller to hold it?

I guess it depends on the severity and location of the tendonitis, but I had a buddy in undergrad who had (what sounds like) a similar condition, and it didn't seem to stop him from being a douchebag with the rocket launcher.

Fireflash

Vmikesmitty wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that playing video games is not going to provide enough strain on his tendons to do anything.

Better yet, tell him to not hit the buttons so hard. I can't imagine any controller providing enough button travel to injure anything.

Well if you have a controller in hand 40+ hours a week and are repeatedly holding down triggers it can be straining on your arm. Just playing too much Geometry Wars too much makes my right arm sore over time and all i'm doing is moving a stick around.

TychoCelchuuu

Grundlterror wrote: »

Good point with the PC games! He likes that idea, but I think his main game is Halo.

Halo is also a PC game.

ASimPerson

Tendinitis does go away after resting the elbow for awhile, right?

Dehumanized

I'd say you should have him check with a doctor to find out possible long-term effects of manipulating a controller in his current condition. Just in case.

ANTVGM64

There used to be this guy on TFC who didn't have arms and was pretty decent, so there is hope.

Ironically his handle was "Hands Free"

Banaltefuxianis XVI

For PC games he could also start using a trackball mouse so he doesn't have to even move his arm.

Zombiemambo

My friends and brother have rock climbed with tendinitis in their hands. While I'm sure it wasn't a great idea, I can't imagine a controller doing any harm.

zerg rush

Grundlterror wrote: »

So my brother was recently diagnosed with Tendinitis in his right elbow. He's worried he won't be able to play video games with his elbow like this, apparently he isn't supposed to squeeze things with his right hand. Has anyone experienced this before? Are his Halo days over? He's worried about this, but recovery is his top priority.

I'd recommend you have him change his controller style. He should still be able to play 360 games at the least.


Normally when you use a controller, your right hand is wrapped around it. Thumb is on top, and able to touch the face plate, while your index finger is on the trigger. The controller is being held inside your hand. Instead he should control it arcade style. Rest the right half on something (like your knee), then put your right hand over it. The thumb now only handles the joystick, while your index and middle fingers touch the face buttons. You use your left hand to tilt and press in the shoulder buttons; naturally you should try to remap non-critical actions to the right shoulder.

It'll take some getting used to, but he should be back to his same skill level in no time.

Azio

The_Scarab wrote: »

Tell him to play PC games. You dont need to squeeze a mouse to use it.

Also, some games are designed to be played one handed. Like Dead or Alive. But I guess if he cant use his other hand to squeeze things there isn't much point.

I just laughed and spilled tea everywhere, thanks a lot

FyreWulff

I have it, and once had a bad enough episode of it where I could barely even walk.

I also play a shitton of Halo.

He needs to stay off that arm for a bit, but when he comes back to it he needs to stay rested, hydrated, basically stay healthy. High stress can make it flare up.

Grundlterror

I forgot to mention the fact that he's a vegan... does he need to be careful of anything (aka add anything to his diet) that might help him in his recovery process?

Æthelred

If he can't squeeze but can still move his hand fine, he should be able to control an analogue stick okay. Look around for some left-handed controllers - do people make those? If the analogue stick was on the right, with his weaker arm, he could operate the controller.

Tube

Fireflash wrote: »

Vmikesmitty wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that playing video games is not going to provide enough strain on his tendons to do anything.

Better yet, tell him to not hit the buttons so hard. I can't imagine any controller providing enough button travel to injure anything.

Well if you have a controller in hand 40+ hours a week and are repeatedly holding down triggers it can be straining on your arm. Just playing too much Geometry Wars too much makes my right arm sore over time and all i'm doing is moving a stick around.

if you're playing games 40+ hours a week you have worse problems than tendonitis

Q_Prime

there are usb-> xbox converters so you can use a kb and mouse on your xbox, that might help. i skimmed the thread though and it seems like tendinitis may not even be a problem.

Fireflash

Cardboard Tube wrote: »

Fireflash wrote: »

Vmikesmitty wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that playing video games is not going to provide enough strain on his tendons to do anything.

Better yet, tell him to not hit the buttons so hard. I can't imagine any controller providing enough button travel to injure anything.

Well if you have a controller in hand 40+ hours a week and are repeatedly holding down triggers it can be straining on your arm. Just playing too much Geometry Wars too much makes my right arm sore over time and all i'm doing is moving a stick around.

if you're playing games 40+ hours a week you have worse problems than tendonitis

It's uh, my job. Altho "playing" isn't exactly the appropriate term.

Sarcastro

I hear Guitar Hero is absolutely brutal for tendinitis, due to the way you hold the controller. I can't imagine a 360/ps controller causing too much grief, because theres very little muscle use in pressing the buttons (well, unless you really just have to pound them, in which case y'know, uh, don't.)

I am reminded of Nintendo thumb, and those little flesh divots one would get from hours of holding pointy corners.

Dehumanized

Sarcastro wrote: »

I hear Guitar Hero is absolutely brutal for tendinitis, due to the way you hold the controller. I can't imagine a 360/ps controller causing too much grief, because theres very little muscle use in pressing the buttons (well, unless you really just have to pound them, in which case y'know, uh, don't.)

I am reminded of Nintendo thumb, and those little flesh divots one would get from hours of holding pointy corners.

Alternatively, Mario Party 1.

damn you, tug of war

DeShadowC

Cardboard Tube wrote: »

Fireflash wrote: »

Vmikesmitty wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that playing video games is not going to provide enough strain on his tendons to do anything.

Better yet, tell him to not hit the buttons so hard. I can't imagine any controller providing enough button travel to injure anything.

Well if you have a controller in hand 40+ hours a week and are repeatedly holding down triggers it can be straining on your arm. Just playing too much Geometry Wars too much makes my right arm sore over time and all i'm doing is moving a stick around.

if you're playing games 40+ hours a week you have worse problems than tendonitis

I disagree with this statement.

Tube

Fireflash wrote: »

Cardboard Tube wrote: »

Fireflash wrote: »

Vmikesmitty wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that playing video games is not going to provide enough strain on his tendons to do anything.

Better yet, tell him to not hit the buttons so hard. I can't imagine any controller providing enough button travel to injure anything.

Well if you have a controller in hand 40+ hours a week and are repeatedly holding down triggers it can be straining on your arm. Just playing too much Geometry Wars too much makes my right arm sore over time and all i'm doing is moving a stick around.

if you're playing games 40+ hours a week you have worse problems than tendonitis

It's uh, my job. Altho "playing" isn't exactly the appropriate term.

Ah right, understood. a cousin of mine got pretty bad, albeit temporary, wrist problems when he was working QA at EA.

DeShadowC wrote: »

if you're playing games 40+ hours a week you have worse problems than tendonitis

I disagree with this statement.[/QUOTE]

don't care

Afty

I have biceptular tendontis, its basically infalmmation that Ibuprofen can treat (im sure you bro has been given something along those lines).

Just wait until its died down and then gently reintroduce what ever caused it. It will likely flare up from time to time, mine does when its cold or when i lift something heavy at the gym.

End of Gaming Career? unlikely