A viral TikTok trend involving precarious stacks of plastic milk crates is drawing sharp rebukes from medical professionals, who say the stunt is causing injuries severe enough to rival falls from ladders. The so-called “milk crate challenge” has participants attempting to scale a pyramid of crates and descend without toppling, a feat that frequently ends in hard landings on the ground.
Orthopedic surgeon Shawn Anthony of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York described the falls as particularly dangerous. “It’s perhaps even worse than falling from a ladder,” he told The Washington Post. “It’s very difficult to brace yourself from the falls I’ve seen in these videos. They’re putting their joints at an even higher risk for injury.”
The warning comes as the United States grapples with a surge in COVID-19 infections that has already strained healthcare resources. The Baltimore Department of Health took to Twitter on Monday with a pointed message: “With COVID-19 hospitalizations rising around the country, please check with your local hospital to see if they have a bed available for you, before attempting the #milkcratechallenge.”
While TikTok has stated it condemns dangerous acts, the platform has seen a rapid spread of such challenges, including past trends involving breath-holding until fainting or consuming excessive amounts of Benadryl to induce hallucinations. The Guardian reported that health agencies are pleading with users to stop participating in these stunts.
Why the Concern Is Growing
The challenge, which has gained traction on social media, involves stacking milk crates into a pyramid and running up and down the structure. The instability of the crates often leads to collapses, sending participants crashing to the pavement. Medical experts point out that the falls can result in fractures, dislocations, and other serious joint injuries that require emergency care.
Anthony emphasized the broader impact on the healthcare system. “Everyone needs to do their part in supporting first responders and health-care providers, and that involves not partaking in challenges like this one that are putting additional strain on the system,” he told The Washington Post.
The trend has emerged during a period of widespread boredom and pandemic fatigue, but doctors caution that the quest for online fame is not worth the risk of hospitalization. With hospitals already stretched thin, any preventable injury adds to the burden on frontline workers.
As the challenge continues to circulate, health officials are urging the public to prioritize safety over virality. The message is clear: avoid the milk crate challenge, and save the hospital beds for those who truly need them.
