Driving w/ right ATR w/o boot 4 weeks post-op
4 weeks after my operation and after the first 3 PT sessions I felt good enough to try to drive with my injured leg. It is totally against the doctor and the therapist but I do not feel the physiological danger of it (let’s not talk about the legal side for now).
I tried driving with my left foot 2 weeks post op but did not find it safe so I skipped it. So now that the cast is off and I am getting somewhat comfortable with the boot, I decided to try driving once again. My doc said that (after ~2 weeks in the boot) most people drive with the boots but I did not find it comfortable or safe enough so I decided to give it a shot without it. First, I tried barefoot but then I could not rest my right heel on the floor so I put on a shoe (I was in two shoe at 4 weeks…:))
To be honest it felt totally safe. It is easier than PT… I had no problem with the gas pedal and I could easily apply enough force to the break. Modern cars have such sensitive breaks (that is why I could not drive with my left foot…). In any case, I did not see any danger of rerupturing my tendon or feel that I could not apply enough force to the break. It was only a little difficult to flex my ankle enough but I moved the seat back and then it felt like a nice PT. Obviously, I will not drive long distances but at least now I don’t need a ‘babysitter’ every time I need to get something done.
Have anyone else tried driving w/o a boot so early? Could anyone make the case for driving in the boot instead? Anyone heard any stories?
Let me know! First and formost I want to stay safe but I did not feel any significant danger of driving w/o the boot as long as I step right back into it as soon as I park the car…
Filed under: Uncategorized and tagged ATR, boot, driving, early, right
I drove after 7 weeks with my boot. After a few days I was in complete control and could drive fine. Made all the difference to my life. I must say though that insurance is null and void unless you get permission from your company.
I have tried both (bare and with shoes). I think barefoot is convenient, but for complete control (as with a clutch) I have to opt for the shoes !
This is a good,common sense article.Very helpful to one who is just finding the resouces about this part.It will certainly help educate me.
This is a good,common sense article.Very helpful to one who is just finding the resouces about this part.It will certainly help educate me.
I was 4 weeks post op yesterday, I had been driving for 3 weeks in my cast (complete rupture right AT). Felt ok using my toes, however I drove to hospital yesterday and had my cast removed and replaced with air cast boot. How big is that boot!!! I couldn’t physically drive as the boot was pressing accelerator and brake at same time, had to get someone come get me and my car!!! I don’t feel confident enough to try drive without the boot just yet but good to know that it’s possible hopefully quite soon. Thanks.
I am having right AT repair on 12/10/13, and it appears to me that some have room for the boot in order to drive and some do not. Can anyone give me the width of the boot so that I can measure it out in my car prior to my surgery? I don’t have to go back to work until 5 weeks after the surgery, but I will need to drive after that time. Thanks so much!!
Julia - the reality is that you will not be able to use your right foot for driving regarless of how narrow the boot is. There are devices you can hire and fit to the car to allow your left foot to do the same job (google left foot accellerator). Some have used their left foot crossed over but either way will take some practise and only good if you have an auto. If you drive your car while not able to control it properly then you risk voiding your insurance and other penalties from law enforcement should something go wrong. I was cleared by the Doc to driver around week 7 but that can vary (usually upward) depending on your treatment protocol.