A rare and serious medical case has emerged at Al-Zahra University Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, where doctors treated a 23-year-old man suffering from “dropped head syndrome” after years of drug use.
This condition, also called floppy head syndrome, is characterized by extreme weakness in the neck muscles, causing the head to fall forward onto the chest. Although it’s usually associated with neuromuscular disorders such as motor neuron disease, in this case, doctors believe prolonged drug use was the cause.
Shocking images show the young man’s neck bent at an extreme angle due to a significant curvature of the spine. Medical reports indicate that his prolonged use of amphetamines, opium, and heroin likely caused a fixed, kyphotic neck position. He also suffered from chronic neck pain and paresthesia—a sensation of tingling, numbness, and stabbing—in his arms.
Although the patient had no history of serious neck injuries, his years of addiction and underlying depression were considered key factors. Doctors warn that drug abuse can have devastating and unexpected effects on the body, including severe musculoskeletal damage like this debilitating condition.