Man develops dropped head syndrome after nonstop phone use

His case, considered rare, especially among young people, was detailed in a report by the medical journal JOS Case Reports, highlighting the serious consequences of maintaining a bent-neck posture for prolonged periods.

The patient and his family were informed that data from the research would be published and gave their consent, the journal said.

The man developed a large bulge at the back of his neck and lost the ability to lift his head using his neck muscles in 2023. Before seeking treatment, he suffered severe neck pain and swallowing difficulties, which led to rapid weight loss. The prolonged unnatural neck posture weakened his muscles to the point where he could no longer hold his head upright.

Doctors noted that the patient had been very active during childhood but endured severe bullying in his teenage years. This led him to drop out of school and isolate himself, spending most of his time alone playing on his phone with his neck bent downward for hours each day.

This posture caused a significant bulge on the back of his neck. Medical scans revealed distorted and dislocated cervical vertebrae, along with scar tissue on his upper spine from prolonged overstretching.

At his first visit to the hospital, he presented with a noticeable fixed dropped head syndrome, maintaining a chin-on-chest posture.

A photo of the 25-year-old and an X-ray of his neck. Photo by JOS Case Reports

Initial treatment using collars was attempted, but after the patient reported numbness in his neck, doctors opted for surgery. Multiple procedures involved removing parts of the damaged vertebrae and scar tissue, then stabilizing his neck by inserting screws and metal rods to correct his posture.

Six months after surgery, the patient regained the ability to lift and hold his head correctly, with further improvement confirmed one year later.

Medical professionals emphasized this severe case as a warning about the risks of excessive smartphone use, particularly among young people.

Dropped head syndrome is a rare disorder often linked to neuromuscular diseases but can also result from spinal deformities caused by holding the neck in an unnatural bent position for prolonged periods.