Wrist injuries are no longer a foreign story to the professional eSports community. Initially, mild aches appear. But if not detected and treated early, they can turn into sharp pain that leads to sleepless nights. Patients may need to rely on painkillers, physical therapy, or even minor surgery. At a certain point, the hand will no longer be as flexible as before.
For ordinary people, taking a break from gaming for a few months can lead to recovery from wrist injuries. However, for professional gamers, the situation becomes extremely dire as their performance and training efficiency decline, putting them at risk of retiring early.
The Vietnamese player of Fly Quest, Hai “Hai” Du Lam, is a typical victim of this condition. He had to part ways with his team and take a long break in the shock of his fans. Hai’s injury was so severe that he could not hold a mouse steadily for more than 15 minutes.
Wrist Injury and Its Causes
There are many types of injuries in the wrist area, but the most characteristic in eSports is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This condition is common among individuals who have a habit of using their hands continuously but maintain a fixed posture for extended periods.
Although it is not life-threatening, long-term wrist injuries can lead to deformities due to nerve and blood vessel damage. If treatment is neglected, it may cause nerve damage, atrophy of the thenar muscle, and especially can lead to permanent muscle atrophy.
There are two main reasons why the rate of eSports players suffering from wrist injuries is higher than that of ordinary people.
First, eSports players often have to train intensely for 10-12 hours a day and repeat this continuously. The action of moving the mouse for long periods has caused minor injuries to accumulate over time.
The second reason leading to wrist injuries is spending too much time practicing while neglecting outdoor physical activities. This unintentionally leads to obesity and overweight issues. Most top eSports teams worldwide have recognized this problem and are making efforts to address it. However, not every organization has the financial capability to pay attention to issues beyond their specialization.
Are There Solutions Available?
Currently, the best solution proposed by experts is to enhance rest to allow the injury to recover over a certain period (at least 1.5 years).
For professional gamers, this is almost impossible due to the extremely competitive nature of eSports tournaments. Taking nearly 2 years off means being eliminated from the scene. If this happens, the risk of ending their career is almost certain.
Therefore, gamers often resort to makeshift solutions like braces, changing their mouse usage styles, or performing exercises to support blood circulation in the wrist area.
Do the Hidden Health Risks Outweigh the Temptation of Wealth and Fame for Gamers?
Although it is known that the career lifespan of professional gamers is often very short, if they ignore all injury risks to compete, the ones who will bear the consequences for the rest of their lives will be them.
In the Dota 2 arena, Clinton “Fear” Loomis, a former player of Evil Geniuses, almost had to retire permanently due to hand injury issues. He stated that he had suffered from injuries since 2015. However, due to the championship at The International 5, the fire of passion within him pushed him to contribute, showcase, and claim the Aegis shield once again. Thus, Fear dove back into training, neglecting his serious injury.
Any sport carries potential deadly dangers, not just eSports. Athletes should think about their careers and futures rather than just fleeting glory.