Delhi Teen Undergoes Spinal Surgery After Gaming Addiction, Spinal TB Go Undetected
A 19-year-old boy in Delhi had to undergo complex spinal surgery after a combination of undiagnosed spinal tuberculosis (TB) and a 12-hour-a-day gaming addiction left him partially paralysed and with a severely deformed spine.
The teen had been addicted to playing PubG and isolating himself in his room for hours each day. Over time, he began losing control over his bladder and noticed weakness in his legs—early signs that his spinal cord was under pressure. But the warning signs were overlooked until he could no longer walk properly or pass urine without difficulty.
By the time he was brought to the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), doctors found he was suffering from kypho-scoliosis—a dangerous spinal deformity that causes the spine to bend forward and sideways. A further investigation revealed that tuberculosis had infected two of his spinal bones (D11 and D12), forming pus and compressing 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.
The surgery involved three critical steps: decompressing the spinal cord, correcting the bent spine, and stabilising it with implants. Doctors used spinal navigation technology—a high-precision surgical tool that functions like GPS—to guide screw placement and restore alignment.
Remarkably, within a few days of surgery, the teen began to recover. He regained control over his bladder and started walking again. The improvement confirmed that the pressure on his spinal cord had been relieved.
Beyond the medical complexity, the case served as a sobering reminder of how physical and mental health can intertwine. According to doctors, the boy’s excessive screen time and isolation contributed to the delay in recognising serious symptoms. His immobility, poor posture, and sedentary lifestyle likely aggravated the damage caused by spinal TB.
“We are seeing more adolescents with bone and joint problems due to prolonged screen use, poor posture, and lack of physical activity,” Dr. Tandon said.
The teen is now undergoing rehabilitation, which includes physiotherapy to strengthen his body and psychological counselling to help manage his gaming addiction. His progress is being closely monitored.
Experts say the case underscores the importance of early medical attention, parental involvement, and the need for a balanced lifestyle. “Gaming addiction can be more dangerous than it looks,” Dr. Tandon noted. “In this case, it hid a life-threatening condition for far too long.”
The teen’s recovery journey is ongoing, but doctors are hopeful. His story, they say, should serve as a wake-up call for families to monitor not just the screen time of young people, but also their emotional and physical well-being.
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