Wedgie-associated radiculitis in a quinquagenarian.

Wedgies-the upward yanking of another's underpants from the rear to wedge them between the buttocks-can be administered playfully, maliciously, or adventurously; at forces ranging from gentle to "atomic"; and with or without the foreknowledge or consent of the recipient. Wedgies have been documented anecdotally in the popular Internet literature, with chief emphasis on their sensation-seeking or momentary entertainment value to the giver and recipient. Most participants are typically young; however, we report the case of a 50-year-old man who sustained chronic, painless radiculitis after he received an unanticipated wedgie of moderate force. This report-apparently the first of its kind in the medical literature-serves as notice that exchanging wedgies is not merely a juvenile act or immature prank: the outcome can be injurious.