Chinese teen risks paralysis from mobile phone use in poor posture

A Chinese teen in Fuzhou, Fujian province, China, nearly faced lifelong paralysis due to his habit of using a mobile phone in a harmful posture. The 16 year old boy’s parents were shocked upon learning this from doctors, who attributed his severe condition to his mobile phone usage.

The boy, referred to as Min had been experiencing back and neck pain, as well as shoulder fatigue, which his family initially dismissed as typical growing pains or the result of long hours spent sitting in class. They believed that rest and painkillers would alleviate the discomfort. However, during the summer break, his condition worsened significantly.

Min was known to be a quiet individual who preferred to stay in his room and rarely shared his problems with his parents. His family noticed that he seemed to have difficulty walking comfortably but thought it was due to sleeping in an awkward position.

A few days ago, Min woke up unable to get out of bed because of severe lower back pain and a lack of sensation in his legs, to the point where he could not control his bladder. This alarming development prompted him to seek help from his parents, who rushed him to the hospital.

The Head of the Orthopaedic Department at Fujian Union Hospital, Dr Wang Zhenyu revealed the story.

“The family brought him in a wheelchair. Examination revealed severe lumbar disc herniation, leading to spinal and nerve complications. An MRI scan showed his spine had shifted and the spinal nerves were nearly compressed into fibres due to the pressure.”

Upon examination

He added that this condition not only caused circular muscle abnormalities but also urinary issues. The inability to control urination led to significant pain and affected the functionality of his lower limbs. The damage had been accumulating over a long period, and without timely intervention, it could have resulted in permanent disability and paralysis.

The family brought him in a wheelchair. Examination revealed severe lumbar disc herniation, leading to spinal and nerve complications. An MRI scan showed his spine had shifted and the spinal nerves were nearly compressed into fibres due to the pressure as Dr Wang said.

After a multidisciplinary consultation, doctors decided on minimally invasive spinal surgery using an endoscope. Fortunately, the surgery was successful. Min is currently undergoing post-operative care and will continue with medication and physical therapy based on his recovery progress.

The primary cause of his condition was his habit of lying down while using his mobile phone for extended periods each day. His room had a very soft sofa, and he often lay on it or his bed to play mobile games and browse social networks.

To make phone use easier, he would adopt a semi-reclining posture and remain in that position for hours without moving. This is a common habit among teenagers, who may not realise the detrimental effects it has on their spine and bones.

Dr Wang pointed out that excessively soft beds or sofas can exacerbate such conditions because their softness leads to poor posture. The semi-reclining position is inherently incorrect and during the summer break, Min’s physical activity decreased compared to when he attended school, increasing his phone usage time by three to four times.

In recent years, the incidence of lumbar disc herniation has been increasingly observed in younger patients. Incorrect postures while using phones contribute to this issue. The incidence of lumbar disc herniation in teenagers is between 0.5-6.8%. Clinical symptoms are diverse and unusual, leading to frequent misdiagnosis as Dr Wang highlighted.

Parents are advised to take their children to specialised hospitals for timely consultations and health check-ups if their back pain persists and radiates to the buttocks, thighs, and calves. Dr Wang urged that every day, avoid prolonged sitting, practice correct sitting postures, and engage in more physical exercise to prevent such conditions, reported Sanook.