Complaints of back pain and repetitive stress injuries have long been associated with computer use but a new study reveals that acute injuries related to the computer are sending a growing number of folks to the emergency room. More than 78,000 injuries related to computers were treated in ERs from 1994 to 2006. Injuries were caused by tripping over computer equipment or wires, falling monitors and moving equipment around. Young children were particularly at risk.

According to data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database, approximately 93 percent of injuries occurred at home. The number of acute computer-related injuries increased by 732 percent over the 13-year study period, which is more than double the increase in household computer ownership (309 percent). The study was published in the June online issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Children younger than five had the highest injury rate of all age groups. The most common cause of injury was tripping or falling by patients under five and 60 or older and hitting or getting caught on computer equipment for individuals of all other ages. While injuries to the extremities were most common, children under 10 most often suffered head injuries.

The study was the first nationwide effort to focus on acute rather than chronic injuries. “Future research on acute computer-related injuries is needed as this ubiquitous product becomes more intertwined in our everyday lives," said Lara B. McKenzie of Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Injury Research and Policy in Columbus, OH, which conducted the study. "More information is needed on the types of computers and equipment used, the layout of these systems, and the furniture utilized in order to develop household-safety practices in this area. Given the large increase in acute computer-related injuries over the study period, greater efforts are needed to prevent such injuries, especially among young children.”

With most households having one computer and many having more than one, researchers decided to take a closer look. They pointed out that in addition to the risk of falling equipment—similar to television tipovers—computers tend to be connected to a wider array of accessories such as keyboards, speakers and printers that require running wires. The wires tend to be more exposed than those on a television.

The most common injury was lacerations, especially in younger children and often to the head. Contusions and abrasions were the second most common.

With most of the injuries occurring at home, it's a good reminder for computer users to make sure their machines are on a stable desk or table and to tame the tangle of wires around the work space. If you have little ones, close the door to the computer room whenever possible.