Doctors advise caution following surgery for a cone-shaped lump on a Danish breakdancer’s head
Breakdancers are being cautioned about the risks of frequent headspinning after a dancer in Denmark developed a cone-shaped lump on his head from years of practicing the move. The lump, described as a benign tumor, was dubbed a “breakdance bulge” and had to be surgically removed, according to a report published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
A rare breakdancing injury
The unnamed dancer, who had been breakdancing for nearly two decades, trained five times a week and spent up to seven minutes headspinning during each session. Over the years, he noticed a bulge forming on his scalp, which grew increasingly painful over time. By the time he sought medical help in his 30s, the lump had grown over an inch thick.
Doctors at Copenhagen University Hospital initially had to rule out more serious conditions like cancer before diagnosing the dancer with a rare condition known as a “headspin hole.” This condition is thought to develop from the friction and pressure caused by repeated contact between the scalp and the floor during headspinning, combined with the weight of the dancer’s body.
Advice for breakdancers
Dr. Christian Baastrup Søndergaard, one of the authors of the BMJ report, emphasized that while the case does not suggest banning headspinning altogether, breakdancers should be mindful of any early signs of a breakdance bulge. “Dancers who notice the early development of a breakdance bulge should consider reducing or avoiding headspins, as continuing may lead to further enlargement of the bulge,” he advised.
Although this injury is rare and unique to breakdancers, the successful surgical treatment in this case offers a solution for those who experience similar symptoms. Søndergaard also encouraged further research into breakdancing-related injuries, noting the physical demands of the sport make dancers particularly susceptible to injury.
Dancer’s recovery and public response
After the surgery, the dancer expressed relief at being able to appear in public without a cap to cover the lump. “It is now possible for me to go out in public without a cap… which is, of course, a very nice feeling,” he said. He also shared that he had received positive feedback, with people remarking that his head now “looks completely normal.”
As breakdancing continues to grow as a global sport, including its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, awareness of injury risks is likely to increase. This case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers involved in mastering the physically demanding techniques of breakdancing.