Caution: Potholes ahead, could harm your spine, neck

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Potholes are in the limelight again, after a 24-yearold succumbed to injuries sustained during a potholerelated accident last Saturday. The city’s cavernous potholes are a nightmare for motorists, especially those using two-wheelers.

While all pothole mishaps might not result in grievous injuries or deaths, those who regularly ride on damaged roads will face health issues. Doctors in the city believe that there is an alarming rise in chronic spinal injuries among motorists due to damaged roads, especially during monsoon season.

“Driving on roads ridden with potholes will result in repeated back injuries and will also affect the neck. These are the most common problems due to the repeated jerks caused by the damage on the roads,” said Dr Raghu Nagaraj, Director of Orthopaedics and a joint replacement surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road.

When a vehicle hits a pothole and experiences a deep jerk, the motorist risks developing a slipped disc which may lead to sciatica or a shooting pain in the arm or legs, leading to numbness and a decrease in neurological sensitivity. Dr Nagaraj went on to explain that when left untreated, the patient may develop loss of muscle power in the affected area.

“Especially with two-wheelers, they may also experience impact on the shoulders. They may experience muscle tears or a cushion tear in the shoulder joint,” he pointed. Spine test Anil Budur Lulla, a writer from the city, took to Twitter to bring out his experience of taking a spine test recently after a ride in the city.

“Took a spine test. The results were not good with suspected long term damage. Rode pillion on a twowheeler for 22 km through the Central Business District and Hosur road for 75 minutes. The next recommended test is on Nov 15,” he tweeted. Krishna Vaidya, another user said, “Almost all two-wheeler riders are having issues with the back because of road quality.

The BBMP folks travel in highend cars with little to no impact.” Regular servicing Motorists shou regularly service their vehicles as a precaution, and ensure that the shock absorbers are in good condition. If the shock absorption of the vehicle is good, at least 30% of the impact will be transferred to the vehicle.

Doctors have advised individuals to seek medical care as early as possible, be it for minor or major injuries. The 60 minutes following the incident remains a crucial window. Those with a history of back issues must have back support such as wearing of belts to reduce the repercussions.

While motorists want the BBMP to get straight away to fix the potholes, in the meantime, they have suggested upgrading the street-lights on the road in order to make the spotting of potholes and navigating them easier.