A man has suffered a bizarre medical consequence after doing one classic breakdance move for years.
Researchers in Denmark recently found evidence to suggest that one of the breakdancing’s most iconic moves - the headspin - can cause some serious damage to one's skull as seen in one man who was left with a tumor on his head as a result.
In the case report, which was published Thursday (October 10) in the medical journal BMJ, a man in his early 30s who had been breaking for nearly 20 years was forced to remove a benign tumor that had grown more than an inch thick, CNN reported.
Images from the study showed a bald man with a noticeable lump, amusingly known as the 'breakdance bulge', on his head that needed treatment.
But why does this happen?
Well, the researchers saw a link between factors such as repeated friction between the head and the ground, which led to pressure and inflammation in the area.
Dr. Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, a neurosurgery specialist at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen discussed the details of the injury.
“We believe the condition results from repeated friction between the head and the floor, combined with the weight-bearing nature of headspins, accumulated over years of breakdancing,” Søndergaard stated.
"This repetitive strain on the skull, scalp, and skin likely triggers inflammation, and over time, minor bleeding may lead to thickened skin and scar tissue, forming the characteristic bulge," the scientist, who is a co-author of the case report, further explained.
In terms of symptoms related to the issue, the patient reported discomfort and soreness as well as social anxiety, stating that he felt the need to wear a hat to hide the dramatic bump.
Surgeons did their best to decrease the inflammation in the area, giving the patient some much-needed relief.
"It’s great to be able to go out in public without a cap or hat. Many people tell me they don’t notice the bump anymore and that my head looks completely normal," he added.
Based on their results, treating these bumps on the head with surgery "appears to be a successful intervention," the physicians said.
The results of the study were reposted to Reddit's r/bboy community as well as the general science one, where many took to the comments to discuss the topic further.
"I want to see the spine. If you spent this much time spinning on the top of your head then did it do anything to the neck/spine?" one person questioned, while another added: "Damn look like he got those goofy ahh cartoon injuries when they bonk you in the head."
Despite the 'headspin hole' being known within the breakdancing community, it is scarcely documented in the medical literature, the doctors noted in the report, but they're hoping to raise more awareness of the complications of moves such as this one.
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