愛污传媒

Skip to main content

'Headspin hole': Man develops scalp tumor after decades of breakdancing

Breakdancing, or breaking as it鈥檚 called by its athletes, made its debut as an official sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Pexels) Breakdancing, or breaking as it鈥檚 called by its athletes, made its debut as an official sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Pexels)
Share

Researchers in Denmark have published a  revealing an unexpected consequence of one of breakdancing鈥檚 most iconic moves: the headspin.

Breakdancing, or breaking as it鈥檚 called by its athletes, made its debut as an official sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Breakers compete in battles judged on criteria like execution, musicality, originality and technique.

Although breaking is celebrated for its athleticism and creativity, it also comes with physical risks. These can include carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve problems, as well as a condition known in the breaking community as headspin hole, an overuse injury that can affect the scalp.

The condition typically begins with hair loss but can develop into a significant bump on the top of the head.

In the case report, published Thursday in the medical journal BMJ, a man in his early 30s who had been breaking for nearly 20 years was treated for a benign tumor that had grown more than an inch thick.

The condition, sometimes referred to as breakdance bulge, is thought to be caused by repeated friction between the scalp and the floor during headspins, compounded by the pressure exerted during the move.

鈥淲e 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,鈥 said Dr. Christian Baastrup S酶ndergaard, a neurosurgery specialist at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. 鈥淭his 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.鈥 S酶ndergaard, a co-author of the case report, treated the patient.

The patient reported discomfort and soreness, and said he avoided public outings without a hat to conceal the bump.

After surgeons removed the growth, the patient expressed relief: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to be able to go out in public without a cap or hat. Many people tell me they don鈥檛 notice the bump anymore and that my head looks completely normal.鈥

Despite some awareness of the condition within the breaking community, medical literature on 鈥渉eadspin hole鈥 remains limited, according to the case report. Users on Reddit鈥檚 r/bboy community, an online forum for breakers, have discussed developing bald spots over time and shared tips like wearing padded beanies or adding gel pads under a hat while performing the maneuver.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Police have confirmed the body of an employee who died at a Walmart in Halifax over the weekend was found in a walk-in oven.

At least seven large-scale butter thefts have been reported in Guelph, Ont. over a 10-month period, including two hauls in just the last month.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault promised on Tuesday to toughen secularism measures in schools, saying he was 'shocked' by revelations about a Montreal public school where a group of teachers had tried to introduce what the premier described as 'Islamist' beliefs.

Local Spotlight

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

A Moncton, N.B., home has been donated to the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and will be transformed into a resource hub for people living with cancer.

A Nova Scotia man crossing Canada on foot is passing through southwestern Ontario. Trevor Redmond is perhaps better known as the 鈥楩ellow in Yellow.鈥