A new study found the side effects of the consequence of one of the breakdances’ most iconic moves: the headspin. The study was published in the journal BMJ and led by Mikkel Bundgaard Skotting and Christian Baastrup Søndergaard of the Department of Neurosurgery at Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

While breakdance is known to have several benefits, it has significant physical side effects. Breakdancing involves a range of complex and physically demanding techniques that can apply strain to the body. The intricate nature of these movements makes breakdancers particularly prone to injuries. Predominant injuries consist of sprains, strains and tendinitis. In addition, there are documented cases of head and brain injuries, including reports of severe conditions such as subdural haematomas.

Prolonged breakdancing often leads to a collection of chronic afflictions known collectively as ‘breakdancer overuse syndrome’. This encompasses conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, impingement syndrome, non-painful chronic bumps on the back and head, continuous hair loss and persistent scalp irritation from headspins.

The study found that a headspin hole is an injury in the head which occurs in breakdancers. Headspin hole starts with hair loss and then develops into a bump which is also known as the breakdance bulge. It is characterised by hair loss, inflammation, numbness and sometimes the formation of a lump on the scalp.

This case report was of a man in his early 30s who had been breaking for nearly 20 years. He was treated for a benign tumour that had grown more than an inch thick. The condition which is also known as breakdance bulge is caused by repeated friction between the scalp and the floor during headspins, compounded by the pressure exerted during the move.

Dr Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, a neurosurgery specialist at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen said, “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 who is a co-author of the case report and treated the patient added, “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.”

A report in CNN said that 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, “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.”

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