Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A 25 year old man in Japan has reportedly developed “dropped head syndrome” after spending excessive hours gaming on his smartphone with his head bowed. The condition caused severe weakness in his neck muscles, leaving his head slumped forward in a sharp downward position.
The case, published in the JOS Case Report 2023, is believed to be caused by the patient’s habit of playing games on his phone for extended periods with his head tilted downward.
The syndrome, typically linked to neuromuscular disorders, can also result from spinal deformities triggered by prolonged poor posture. In this case, the man’s neck muscles became severely weakened, causing his head to droop forward at a sharp angle.
Doctors said the condition made it difficult for the man to swallow food, leading to significant and concerning weight loss. The issue reportedly began in early adolescence, coinciding with the teenager’s withdrawal from school and social life due to bullying.
Isolated in his room, he spent hours on his phone, often in a slouched position, which likely contributed to the development of the syndrome. A CT scan revealed distorted and dislocated cervical vertebrae, along with the formation of scar tissue along his spine.
Doctor then opt for surgeon and removed part of the damaged vertebrae and scar tissue and inserted metal rods and screws to realign the neck. Six months after surgery, the man regained the ability to lift his head and maintain proper posture.
Doctors have since urged the public particularly young people to avoid prolonged smartphone use with a bowed head to prevent similar musculoskeletal issues.
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Dropped Head Syndrome is typically marked by severe weakness in the neck muscles and is often associated with motor neuron diseases. However, other triggers such as substance abuse can also lead to the condition.
In a recent case in Iran, a 23-year-old man developed a similar condition after years of amphetamine abuse. The case, reported and published by doctor in Al-Zahra University Hospital, included a striking photo of the patient’s severely bent neck. He also experienced chronic neck pain and paresthesia including tingling or numbness in his arms.
The patient had no history of neck trauma but did have a record of depression and long-term use of amphetamines, opium, and heroin.
Physicians believe drug abuse contributed indirectly to his condition by causing him to remain in fixed positions for extended periods, eventually leading to severe cervical kyphoscoliosis, a spinal curvature involving both forward bending and lateral twisting.
“We found that drug abuse contributed to the development of severe and complex cervical kyphosis, an excessive forward curvature of the upper spine,” said Dr. Majid Rezvani, one of the study’s authors of the case, as reported by the Daily Mail on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
“There was an indirect effect. When the patient was under the influence, he remained in a fixed position for extended periods. Over the course of several months, this led to musculoskeletal changes that resulted in kyphoscoliosis,” he added.
The Iranian patient underwent successful spinal surgery involving the removal of the deformed bone and the placement of a “locking cage” to stabilize the spine. Just a day after surgery, the patient was able to walk with the help of a rigid neck brace, which he continued to wear for three months. He also began drug rehabilitation therapy as part of his recovery.
(Raidi/Agung)
