Kozhikode: Despite using helmets and other safety gear for adventurous journeys, there’s something many bike riders overlook. This negligence has cost several people more than one finger. In the past one and a half years alone, 51 people sought treatment at a single hospital.

These finger losses did not occur due to accidents while riding the vehicle, but rather during the unscientific cleaning of a stationary bike's chain. Some have lost up to four fingers, and many have undergone plastic surgery.

Cleaning a chain after starting the bike is dangerous

Even though there are specialized tools available in the market for greasing and removing excess grease, some continue to use unscientific methods. They apply grease directly to the chain with their fingers and speed up the process by starting the bike, placing it on a stand, and revving the accelerator. In this process, the finger can accidentally slip and get caught between the chain sprocket, leading to amputation.

Seek medical attention immediately

If a finger is severed, it should be thoroughly washed with clean water to remove dirt and grease. Then, it should be wrapped in a clean cloth and placed in a plastic cover. The plastic cover should be kept in ice and transported to the hospital within six hours. Although the finger can be preserved for up to 48 hours, the chances of successful reattachment decrease the longer the delay.

51 accidents in one and a half years

From April 2023 to this month, 51 finger reattachment surgeries were conducted at Kozhikode's Baby Memorial Hospital alone. All these cases involved fingers getting caught and severed in bike chains, said Dr KS Krishna Kumar, head of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery department. He mentioned that a little caution could prevent a lifetime of trouble.

(Information courtesy: Dr KS Krishna Kumar, Dr Ajit Kumar Pati - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Baby Memorial, Kozhikode)