Jun 03 2008
Driving Anyone?
I am just waiting for surgery on Wed., but was wondering how long it will be before I will be able to drive again with my right foot having the ATR? Anyone with a time-table?
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I had a right ATR and I drove to work at day 30, lefty. I pull my boot towards me and just take it slow. If I hit somebody I’m screwed..I know, I know.
After the surgery, you will not want to drive. You will have considerable pain and swelling. You will want to have someone to help you to do ordinary tasks for the first week at least. I had my surgery and drove about 20 days later because I had to get to the doctor and had no better option. That is not to say that I am well but I pressed from the cast not from my toes. My rupture is to my RAT too. Take it easy as much as you can. I know you want to be better sooner but patience is the key.
I waited until about the 8 week mark, but I was still in a cast at that time..couldn’t take it any longer so I went for a drive–just listen to your body and take it slow when you do drive–my right AT as well…Kevin
marianne,
I had to teach myself to drive lefty after about a month. I didn’t have enough strength in my calf to drive with my right foot until about 8 weeks post surgery.
I’ll never forget the 1st time I tried to drive with my injured foot. I’m cruising along an empty, straight stretch of road at about 50 mph. I think to myself “it’s about time I gave this a try”, so I moved my left foot out of the way and pulled my right foot over onto the gas. I knew it was weak, so I gave a little extra push, and started slowing down…45…40…35…now I’m pushing for all I’m worth. When I dropped to 30 I gave up and switched back. That was the 1st of MANY incidents that showed me just how much work I’ve got to do to get back to normal.
Good luck and try to stay patient,
-J
jmon,
I am really starting to understand what you mean about how much work needs to be done…..I asked about driving even before I had my surgery which was 5 days ago now. I am very
depressed about having to depend on someone to “drive” me around the house in a wheelchair….i am no further along than that at this point. I am going to try crutches today, but fear i will be no good at them. I did try them a week ago, before surgery, but with no cast on at that time, I was nervous and it was awkward and painful. My husband was the one who wanted me to post about driving, since i think he is wanting to have me be as independent as possible as quickly as possible which i can’t blame him for. He has been doing an awesome job with the house, etc. for the past 12 days since my ATR, but his patience is wearing thin….
Hi Marrianne!
I know the depression from not being able to drive! I’m 33 days post op, in a boot, NOT DRIVING. At my appointment last week the doc said to wait until i’ve had a few physical therapy appointments to try driving. As for Left foot driving….its not worth the risk to me, neither is right foot with cast/boot. Here in Oregon, you get your license revoked if you’re caught driving with a cast/boot. As grumpy as my husband is about having to get up 1/2 hour earlier to take me to work, we decided me driving isn’t worth the risk. I am anxious also! Be patient. Its hard, we all know how hard. Some days the time drags, but some days it flies!
Dani
Hey Marianne,
I’m 43 days post-op (Right ATR too), and saw my ortho doc today, he told me I can take my Aircast/boot off by the weekend and try a shoe. As soon as I am in a shoe, I can try to drive. I’m not sure what kind of strength I’ll have to push on the pedal, but here’s hoping I can drive myself back to work next week. I’ve heard that car insurance would not cover an accident if I was in one while driving with my left foot, and I am in a big city with lots of stop and go traffic, so I have not tried to drive with my left foot. I hope your surgery goes well - I felt a lot better emotionally after my surgery, because I felt that even though I had a ways to go, at least my tendon was fixed, and I was on my way to recovery. Keep your foot up as much as possible the first few weeks. Keep trying with the crutches - you will get it, just take your time. They become your ability to be independent, even if it is only to cross the room and back. Once your cast is on, you will feel that your foot is protected, and it hopefully won’t be as scary. Don’t be afraid to ask friends for help too - I had a hard time with that, but there are people who will want to help. Time will feel slow, but try to relax, read some books, or watch TV - looking back on the last 6 weeks, the time does go fast, and each week I have felt stronger.
Hang in there!
Jen