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Playing Ping Pong. Can i drive yet?
September 17th, 2012 by michelle153
We visited a group of specialists last Thursday just to check my progress so far. He said the tendon is in tact (obvious) and it was relatively strong. The specialist actually encouraged me to start walking so the tendon can strengthen itself. He said i should be walking with one crutch on the opposite side of ATR foot in 2 weeks, and FWB in about 4 weeks time. That’s fantastic news! Now i feel confident in putting pressure on my ATR. I place more weight on it each day to slowly get used to the weight. At the moment i put about 60% of my weight on it :).
Yesterday i walked about 2 metres with only two sandals that had a slight heel on the bottom. The shoe was comfortable so my heel felt fantastic as opposed to walking bare feet. But it felt great! My brother and sister stood by in case i needed them but there was no need. 
I held on to one of my crutches just in case, and again there was no need. And get this…. I was playing ping pong! with minimal movement. I took a few steps around the table to get the ball and I was very careful. It seems i may have underestimated the strength of my tendon after nearly 11 weeks.!
At this stage i want to start driving. Our van is a manual with the clutch at the left foot. The clutch can require a fair bit of force to push it all the way down and my ATR is on my left so I’m a bit nervous; not only for my own safety but others on the road. I’m planning on taking it for a test drive on a field or around the house before hitting the road. But firstly any advice? When did you all start driving? My next appointment is not for another few weeks.
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ATR Timeline
- Name: michelle153
Location: Cook Islands
Injured during: Netball
Which Leg: L
Status: PWB
705 wks 2 days Post-ATR
704 wks 4 days
Since start of treatment
Michelle 153
- michelle153 has completed the grueling 26.2 ATR miles to full recovery!
Goal: 160 days from the surgery date.
Click here for the Group Marathon Tracker
on September 18th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I started driving as soon as I could work the pedals in anger, that is to say I sat in the car engine off and simulated driving and most importantly being able to stop the vehicle abrubtly and under control in the event of an emergency.
My gut says 11weeks is okay (most people here are behind the wheel again by 12 weeks), but thats just the personal opinion of someone who was driving in under 9 weeks, not that of an expert - but I’d say simulate the driving and changing gear and listen to your body - be careful and be vigilant and fingers crossed it’s a positive result