‘Drive in good posture to avoid joint problems’
LUCKNOW: Correct posture is important while driving a two-wheeler, as road bumps can cause back pain and joint problem among riders, say experts.
“Bumpy roads and pot holes affect our back and neck. The problem starts with pain in the neck and lower back and finally makes the joints immovable due to acute pain,” said Prof Ajai Singh, senior faculty in department of orthopaedic surgery, King George’s Medical University.
He said both elderly and young were becoming victims of such injuries. “In the elderly, the weak bones in vertebrae collapse compressing the nerves while in young riders the bumps result in lower back pain as they keep on facing jerks without slow- ing down the speed of the vehicle. In each OPD I get one or two such patients,” said Prof Singh.
“Roads can never be as smooth as the floor in one’s house. So when we are out we need to keep this in mind. Jerks on the road take a heavy toll on the musculoskeletal system comprising the back, neck and the spine,” said Dr Sandeep Kapoor, joint replacement surgeon and director, Health City.
Musculoskeletal problems, he said, could start with just a sprain but even a single jerk or macro trauma could cause deep dislocation or acute disc problems. “Prolonged pressure on joints due to long daily driving is yet another reason,” he added.
“Sample this. When you drive a bike with legs wide apart every jerk your bike gives comes to waist or hip joint,” said Dr Kapoor.
Doctors said riders should avoid bad roads as much as possible and if necessary they should take precautions. “Drive slow on bumpy road and sit in a position that brings minimum jerk to joints,” advised Prof Singh.
In the elderly, the weak bones in vertebrae collapse compressing the nerves while in young riders the bumps result in lower back pain as they keep on facing jerks. PROF AJAI SINGH, KGMU faculty