Did you know: Speed bumps can help doctors find problem

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Driving over speed bumps may make for a painful ride, but did you know it could actually help doctors discover whether you’re suffering from acute appendicitis?

While the link between the speed bump and the condition was already suspected, evidence for the idea had not been produced until recently.

The new study by the University of Oxford and Stoke Mandeville Hospital showed that high sensitivity to pain over speed bumps in patients with acute appendicitis means that when the bumps don’t induce a jolt of pain, doctors can rule out a problem with the appendix more confidently.

But the pain sensitivity was also reportedly linked to abdominal problems such as a ruptured ovarian cyst and therefore doesn’t make for a great “rule-in” test.