The headline sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. “Using smartphones causing ‘horn-like’ bone growth in young people.”
Really? That’s what it’s come to? So children develop horns because they can’t put down their phone?
Let’s “pump the brakes” a bit. What’s going on?
“We hypothesize EEOP (enlarged external occipital protuberance) may be linked to sustained [abnormal] postures associated with the emergency and extensive use of hand-held … technologies.”
Oh, okay. Thanks, I guess?
Allow us: a researching team is reporting that there’s the bony growth – an external occipital protuberance (EOP) – “emanating” from a prominent lower rear area of the skull.
In other words, the authors believe that we’re growing horns in our skull (technically, bone spurs) because of too much time spent staring down at our digital screens.
Can this possibly be true?
While a couple of other scientists are refuting the duo’s claims citing a lack of presented evidence, the study’s findings nonetheless warrant investigation and, if necessary, appropriate action in the form of public health education.
Let’s dig a little deeper and see what we can find out.
The Study
“Our findings raise a concern about the future musculoskeletal health of the young adult population and reinforce the need for prevention intervention through posture improvement education.”
~ Shahar, D. & Sayers, M.G. (source)
(Note: this section contains scientific definitions for the purpose of reporting the study as is. We include a simpler explanation below the study.)
The development of enthesophytes – bony filaments that arise from ligaments – were once considered extremely rare in young adults. However, according to Dr. David Shahar, Ph.D. and Associate Professor Mark Sayers at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia, this is no longer the case.
Shahar is a licensed chiropractor. He first shared these findings after examining a series of x-rays of patients aged 18 to 30.
Here’s a breakdown of the study on smartphones and these growths.
Evidence: It includes radiographs from 218 patients, ranging in age from 18 to 30 years.
-Included images clearly show a bony, spur-like protrusion originating from the bottom-rear of the skull.
– Protrusion size had an inverse relationship with age.
Incidence: 41 percent of young adult patients reportedly had the protrusion.
– EEOP (enlarged external occipital protuberance) was found in 33 percent of Shahar’s patients across age groups.
Risk factors: Predictive factors of the condition are reported as forward head protraction (FHP), age, and sex.
– FHP or “poking chin” is an abnormal posture in which the head “shifts anteriorly” from center gravity.
– The FHP posture places pressure on other muscles attached to the cervical spine as the body attempts to hold the head vertical for straight-ahead vision.
– Males are nearly six times as likely as females to have the ‘condition.’
– Older patients exhibited smaller enthesophyte (‘bone spur’) size than younger patients. (“…a conundrum,” says the team, “as the frequency and severity of degenerative skeletal features in humans are associated typically with aging.”)
Cause(s):
The physiological catalyst of enthesophyte growth is mechanical load: skeletal resistance to force created when part(s) of the body. And in this case, the skull and the surrounding areas are situated in a maladaptive position.
– It is known that the body will catalyze enthesophytes in an attempt to counteract this skeletal shift in force.
– Ultimately, it is this mechanical loading phenomenon that the authors hypothesize is producing a bodily adaptation in the form of a “horn” on the back of the skull of young adults.
Study Conclusions:
The authors believe there exists sufficient evidence (“a direct link”) between (a) the “aberrant” mechanical loading caused by mobile device use, and (b) the anomalous growth rate of EEOP instances in young adults.
Because of this alleged link, the authors cite reservations about “the future musculoskeletal health” of young adults and call for appropriate intervention and preventing using posture improvement education.
A Quick Summary
Please forgive the scientific mumbo-jumbo as derived from the study. Confused? No, don’t worry. Here’s a point-by-point analysis in simpler, more readable terms.
- #1: The authors are suggesting that young adults are growing a bony-like projection at the back of their skull. Images appear to confirm this suggestion.
- #2: A key piece of evidence is the more frequent occurrence of this condition in younger people than older.
- #3: Because of point #2, the authors suggest that these growths are possibly triggered by the frequent, sustained head ‘tilting’ when using a digital device. Of course, these include a smartphone or a tablet.
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