alison352
07-01-2007, 12:25 PM
Just out of curiousity:
After your procedure, how long did your NS tell you not to drive (which is totally understandable since you need your neck to look around!)?
Did he tell you also that you couldn't be a passenger in a car?
Thanks!
After your procedure, how long did your NS tell you not to drive (which is totally understandable since you need your neck to look around!)?
Did he tell you also that you couldn't be a passenger in a car?
Thanks!
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gia1
07-01-2007, 01:23 PM
Well my NS is quite conservative and I was in an aspen for 7 weeks and now I will have a soft collar for 3 more during which time I will be taking physio. I did not have any hardware, just 1 leel ACDF, my own bone for graft. NO driving until I have good range of motion. No problem being a passenger with a collar. I am not sure about people who don't wear a collar at all. Hope this helps some. Gloria
DELTA 22
07-01-2007, 04:08 PM
I cant drive til I go back for my 2nd check up in sept. Which will put me three and half months post. After that I dont know if I will be released to or not. You cant drive here as long as you are in collar and I'll be in my collar til sept.
I had three levels done and am one month post and noway could I drive right now still have alot of weakness in my neck. I do travel as a passenger some but not much.
I had three levels done and am one month post and noway could I drive right now still have alot of weakness in my neck. I do travel as a passenger some but not much.
SKZ
07-01-2007, 04:51 PM
I had a 2 level ACDF in Jan. with hardware, donor bone and no collar. My surgeon was very liberal as to what I could do. I pretty much had to use my own common sense. I drove at about 3 weeks once and that was a BAD idea. Basically I started Phys. therapy at 6 weeks and I drove myself to my appts. I had alot more range of motion when I started doing the neck stretchs at P.T.
BobM
07-01-2007, 07:31 PM
I've had two ACDFs, both with donor bone, and a plate & screws. Did not have a collar either time. I was restricted from driving for 48 hours which was due to the anesthesia more than anything else. I think it makes a difference if you have used your own bone since you would also have an incision on your hip.
After the 48 hours the only restriction I had on driving was the warning on the pain meds bottle to not drive while taking those pills.
No restrictions on being a passenger - that was the only way to get home! But it was a challenge getting into the car - I didn't realize how much you bend your neck to get through the car door.
I didn't drive until the week after the surgeries - that was the soonest I felt comfortable, and only between my house and the nearest grocery store at first. Then it took another 3 or 4 months to regain confidence that I could turn my head enough for driving - it isn't just how far you can turn your head, but also how fast .
Driving is still a little difficult (2 years later) because of the loss of range of motion (I am fused C4/5/6/7). I am careful where I park so I don't have to back up because looking over my shoulder no longer works for me, and on freeways I am extra cautious because lane changes are also difficult when you can't do the over the shoulder look.
After the 48 hours the only restriction I had on driving was the warning on the pain meds bottle to not drive while taking those pills.
No restrictions on being a passenger - that was the only way to get home! But it was a challenge getting into the car - I didn't realize how much you bend your neck to get through the car door.
I didn't drive until the week after the surgeries - that was the soonest I felt comfortable, and only between my house and the nearest grocery store at first. Then it took another 3 or 4 months to regain confidence that I could turn my head enough for driving - it isn't just how far you can turn your head, but also how fast .
Driving is still a little difficult (2 years later) because of the loss of range of motion (I am fused C4/5/6/7). I am careful where I park so I don't have to back up because looking over my shoulder no longer works for me, and on freeways I am extra cautious because lane changes are also difficult when you can't do the over the shoulder look.
monarog
07-01-2007, 11:34 PM
Hi,
In latter March 2007 I had ACDF one level, donor bone, hardware and no collar. My NS is also very liberal - his motto is basically do what you can tolerate. I was told driving was okay as soon as I was off the RX pain meds. I was driving within a week or so - I really didn't take the RX meds after that point in time. Riding in the car was never an issue - okay from the get-go. Keep in mind I have a liberal NS; I was also in the hospital for surgery at 11:30AM and discharged at 4:00PM the same day. I kid you not, this is pretty standard protocol in this area...if it is only one level and there are no other health concerns and/or complications.
I was careful when driving to try to not get into situations that caused a lot of cranking my neck all the way back - even at 3 months plus I don't like to have to do that and do so as gently as possible. But for me, I was only out of the driver's seat for a week or so.
Mona
In latter March 2007 I had ACDF one level, donor bone, hardware and no collar. My NS is also very liberal - his motto is basically do what you can tolerate. I was told driving was okay as soon as I was off the RX pain meds. I was driving within a week or so - I really didn't take the RX meds after that point in time. Riding in the car was never an issue - okay from the get-go. Keep in mind I have a liberal NS; I was also in the hospital for surgery at 11:30AM and discharged at 4:00PM the same day. I kid you not, this is pretty standard protocol in this area...if it is only one level and there are no other health concerns and/or complications.
I was careful when driving to try to not get into situations that caused a lot of cranking my neck all the way back - even at 3 months plus I don't like to have to do that and do so as gently as possible. But for me, I was only out of the driver's seat for a week or so.
Mona
alison352
07-03-2007, 01:03 AM
Wow! It's amazing how doctors differ on recovery! I guess they go with what has worked best for their patients.
I did break down and drove as passenger yesterday, even though the doc told me two weeks. I couldn't help it I was going crazy!
Im supposed to go away to Cape Breton Island on 7/18. We go every year and it's about a 15 hour drive. I'm hoping the doc says I can go but if not then I'll have to pass this year... :( Oh well, the roads to get their are very bumpy and I don't want to rattle anything out of place.
Thank you everyone for replying!
I did break down and drove as passenger yesterday, even though the doc told me two weeks. I couldn't help it I was going crazy!
Im supposed to go away to Cape Breton Island on 7/18. We go every year and it's about a 15 hour drive. I'm hoping the doc says I can go but if not then I'll have to pass this year... :( Oh well, the roads to get their are very bumpy and I don't want to rattle anything out of place.
Thank you everyone for replying!
SpineAZ
07-04-2007, 12:46 AM
I got my aspen brace off at 6 weeks post-op and started driving a few days later. I kept it to a minimum for the first few weeks back at the wheel just becuase I was a bit sore.