Warning: Breakdancers at Risk for “Headspin Hole”

The art of breakdancing has swept across the globe since its inception in the 1970s, recently gaining recognition as an official sport at the Summer Olympics. However, dedicated breakers are susceptible to various injuries such as sprains, strains, and tendonitis, with a peculiar condition dubbed “headspin hole” or “breakdance bulge” – a protrusion on the scalp resulting from repeated execution of the headspin power move. A recent publication in the esteemed British Medical Journal delves into a specific case that necessitated surgical intervention.

The scholarly piece highlights the scarcity of research on this subject, with only a couple of noteworthy studies referenced. A study from 2009 in Germany revealed that a significant portion of breakdancers (60.4%) suffered scalp overuse injuries due to headspins, resulting in hair loss, head bumps, and scalp inflammation. Similarly, a more recent study in 2023 found a strong correlation between frequent headspins and hair loss among breakdancers.

When a male breakdancer in his early thirties sought medical attention for a conspicuous bump on his head, doctors at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark seized the opportunity to present a comprehensive clinical case study. After conducting an MRI, surgically removing the growth, and analyzing the mass, it was evident that the dancer’s prolonged headspin practice had led to significant thickening of the skin, tissue, and skull in the affected area.