In the year 20xx, everyone plays Fox… or gets injured in the process.

Introduction

Recently, two prominent players have sustained injuries playing Smash. Aziz “VGBC|Hax” Al-Yami and Weston “Westballz” Dennis have sustained injuries from playing Smash. Attempting to practice some wavedashes, Hax was sent to the emergency room for a sprained wrist. On twitter, Westballz has cited that his practice sessions have caused him to lose sensation in one of his fingers.

haxHax’s cast after going to the ER

Fox and Falco players are very susceptible to hand and wrist related injuries because of how a player has to press buttons. The quick movements put a high amount of strain, especially on the wrists. Many other great Fox mains such as Jman, Mew2King, Silent Wolf, Mang0, and SFAT  have also sustained injuries in the past with carpal tunnel syndrome being the most common.

Here is a little information on carpal syndrome from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel – a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand – houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body’s peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to “shake out” the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.

How do we prevent carpal tunnel syndrome?

Although there is no scientific evidence that indicates that playing Fox or Falco will definitely lead to injuries, there have been strong trends to indicate that the sheer demand on a Fox/Falco player’s hand does take its toll. Some players may experience lesser degrees of wrist pain or possibly none at all, but our goal at the end of the day is to help everyone prevent possible injuries.

Other forms of injury

Tendinitis and repetitive strain injury (RSI) are the less severe, but more common forms of injury. These injuries occur with repetitive tasks, exertions, vibrations, or awkward positions. Common symptoms include tingling, burning, or loss of sensation.

1. Take frequent breaks

– Playing Smash with any character will create stress on your hands. Make sure to take small breaks every 15 to 30 minutes to relax your hands and wrists.

2. Stretching Exercises (From webMD)

Prayer stretch

    1. Start with your palms together in front of your chest just below your chin.
    2. Slowly lower your hands toward your waistline, keeping your hands close to your stomach and your palms together, until you feel a mild to moderate stretch under your forearms.
    3. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Wrist flexor stretch

  1. Extend your arm in front of you with your palm up.
  2. Bend your wrist, pointing your hand toward the floor.
  3. With your other hand, gently bend your wrist farther until you feel a mild to moderate stretch in your forearm.
  4. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

Wrist extensor stretch

  1. Extend your arm in front of you with your palm down.
  2. Bend your wrist, pointing your hand toward the floor.
  3. With your other hand, gently bend your wrist farther until you feel a mild to moderate stretch in your forearm.
  4. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

3. Change your other daily habits

– Are you on the computer for the whole day or do other activities that put stress on your hands? Make sure to take breaks from these activities throughout the day and do the stretches in #2. Be mindful and try to keep healthy habits to ensure that your physical health is okay. Carpal tunnel syndrome is difficult to deal with once your body hits a certain level of pain. Surgery is typically needed in cases of extreme carpal tunnel syndrome

4. Strength Exercises

Doing exercises to strengthen your grip can also help prevent injuries. Joe Torok has helped procure some links here:

More comprehensive information on stretching and exercises can be found here (courtesy of thespymachine)

Stay healthy everyone!

MIOM|Tafokints