A rare and severe medical case has emerged from Al-Zahra University Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, where doctors treated a 23-year-old man suffering from “dropped head syndrome” after years of drug abuse.
The condition, also called “floppy head syndrome,” is marked by extreme weakness in the neck muscles, causing the head to fall forward onto the chest. While typically linked to neuromuscular disorders like motor neurone disease, in this case, doctors believe prolonged substance abuse was the cause.
Shocking images show the young man’s neck bent at an extreme angle due to significant spinal curvature. Medical reports state his long-term use of amphetamines, opium, and heroin likely triggered a fixed kyphotic neck position. He suffered chronic neck pain and paresthesia—tingling, numbness, and pins-and-needles sensations—in his arms.
Although the patient had no history of major neck injuries, his years of drug dependence and underlying depression were seen as key factors. Doctors warn that substance abuse can have devastating, unexpected effects on the body, including severe musculoskeletal damage like this debilitating condition.
