‘It’s worse this year’: Docs see surge in road accidents and severe shoulder injuries

Pune: As Pune's road conditions deteriorate, residents are paying the price — not just in vehicle damage, but with serious injuries.
Orthopedic surgeons are now reporting a serious spike in cases of severe shoulder dislocations and fractures, along with a rise in neck and lower-back pain, particularly among two-wheeler riders who've fallen off their vehicles due to poor road surfaces.
These doctors, with practices in core city areas and the outskirts, said those with fall injuries have gone on to need lengthy rehabilitation and, in severe cases, surgical interventions.
"Over the past two-three months, I have treated at least eight patients who had fallen off their bikes due to potholes that were either submerged in water or dry and dangerously deep," said Dr Anand Jadhav, a senior orthopaedic consultant and shoulder specialist at Jupiter Hospital in Baner.
Dr Jadhav said shoulder dislocations this year, due to accidents caused by potholes, have gone up at least 20% compared to the same period last year. "The most common injury we've seen is anterior shoulder dislocation, where the ball of the shoulder joint moves out in the front. This occurs during falls, usually when riders try to break their fall with their hands. Posterior dislocations, while rarer, can also happen in more severe accidents," Dr Jadhav said.
Pune's suburbs have fared no better. Dr Dhammapal Bhamare, an orthopedic surgeon at Sainath Hospital in Moshi, said waterlogged roads in the fringe areas compound the problem, with puddles concealing potholes and uneven surfaces.
"The lack of proper drainage worsens the situation. We have seen a sharp rise in accidents, many of which have resulted in severe shoulder injuries," Dr Bhamare said.
In the last three months, Sainath Hospital has treated over 11 patients for severe shoulder dislocations linked to pothole-related accidents, many between ages of 23 and 55.
"This year, we've observed that two-wheeler accidents during the monsoon are up 4-5% compared to last year. Our roads are particularly treacherous during the monsoon and post-monsoon months," Dr Bhamare said.
He also raised concerns about additional hazards such as stray dogs, cows and even pigs that often dart across the streets, contributing to accidents. "Coupled with oil spillages and narrow, unfinished roads, this is a recipe for disaster," he said.
In Nigdi, one of the fastest growing suburbs in the region, orthopedic specialist Dr Umesh Jadhav said he's treated 10 patients for accident-linked shoulder injuries in the last four months. "2024 has been worse than 2023. Last year, I had only six such cases. Shoulder dislocations and fracture-dislocations are common, and they require immediate attention. Consequences can be severe," Dr Jadhav said.
The doctors said good roads can prevent such injuries. "We need roads that can withstand the rains, not ones that crumble under them. Preventing these accidents is possible, but it requires long-term planning and proper road maintenance. Unfortunately, Pune's infrastructure is failing its citizens," they said.