Goa, Oct. 15 -- Janet Mascarenhas

GROWING SPINES, BUMPY ROADS Travelling on bumpy roads is not a problem for a healthy child, clarified Dr Jinendra Kumar, a professor of Neurosurgery at Goa Medical College and who has also been a consultant in neurosurgery at Goa Medical College since 2010. "Although the spine experiences repeated changes in loading as the vehicle moves over potholes and uneven surfaces, it is designed to tolerate normal everyday movements and forces." It is, however, important to drive slowly on uneven roads to be safe and comfortable, he shares. The higher the speed over a given road irregularity, the greater the chances for a sudden jolt. "One should be concerned if a patient develops severe or persistent neck or back...