sorry I have so many posts I keep thinking of questions. This is my last.
Any of you drive with your left foot if you had surgery on your right? If I do that there is no impact on my right foot correct? And I should be ok? I have been practicing and the drive is not long, no freeways...and I do really well. Waht do you think?

cinderella,

i know some people learned to drive using their left foot - but i was too chicken. i gotta use the freeways in san diego - using my right foot was also out of the question. my doctor estimated that i'd be back on the road around week6 - that's next week!!! i was chicken b/c i'm afraid of other dumba$$ drivers out there - i'd be worried in seattle b/c cause of the wet roads. i think it's worse in sd b/c when we get rain, the roads have oil slicks. so more of a chance that a duba$$ won't slow down and may lose control - and if i were driving w/ my left foot, i might not be able to react as well in terms of timing and slamming/pumping the brakes . hope i'm not scaring you. but i tend to be a worry wart and rather go the "safe" route - so i've had "chauffers." my friends and family have been wonderful. i didn't ask fo rmuch when my left foot was done- but with my right foot i need them to drive me to work, to dr appts, and to get food. my point - even if i thought i could drive safely/well with my left foot, i don't trust other drivers out there on the road.

Cinderella,
I did drive with my left foot after 4 weeks. I still had a cast and it was very awkward. I could not drive with the boot when I got it after 6 weeks so continued to drive with my left foot until I got into tennis shoes 71/2 weeks. I practiced in a parking lot and felt comfortable after awhile. I never drove the freeways and was very cautious. I felt so wonderful being able to drive myself. Now I'm recovering from my left foot (1 week). Good Luck.

I've been in a cast on my right foot and with the cast on it was almost impossible to fit my left foot on the pedal with the cast in the way. Maybe it was just my car. But someone told me they could temporarily put an accelerator control for your hand so you don't have to use a foot for the gas at all. I'm going to look into it since I'm going to have some surgery on my right foot as well.

If you're talking any time soon after surgery and there is any chance that pain will be an issue, then the answer is no. You can become totally occupied with that rather than your safety our those innocents around you. Even a moderate amount of distraction can be risky if you are driving with one foot in a cast and the other doing something new. I can tell you from experience that you cannot rest one painfull foot while driving with the other. Try this test. Sit as though you are driving. Lift your right foot as if you were taking the pressure off of it, now lift your left to go from the gas to brake. And you can't steer properly while supporting yourself with your arms. And durring all of this what if a another driver or a pedestrian makes an error in front of you?
I had foot surgery, found that although you might not be 'using' your foot your leg muscles are active and can make it very uncomfortable. Also stop and go traffic was actually much worse than highway driving.

I was thinking about trying to drive with my left foot....but I live in New York and I am afraid of the other cars and all of the traffic. I will probably wait. Fern

you people are going to kill somebody driving with one foot like that. I'm glad i'm not on the road with you people

Hi! I began driving with my left foot 5 days post op with a cast on my right foot. Let me tell you, it is nerve wracking. I am very fortunate that my employer is about 15 blocks away from my home, otherwise I wouldn't do it. You have got to be careful. If for some reason you get into an accident, INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY! It has something to do with being unable to make emergency stops appropriately. If you do decide to drive, take it easy!!!

I went out to my car today (after 2 weeks of bunion/hammertoe surgery).... I pressed down on the gas and brake with my booted foot and I seem to be able to control the car. Has anyone else tried driving this soon? I really hate not begin able to drive.

I plan to wait until my full 6 weeks is up. My pins will be out, bandages off and out of boot July 22. My doctor told me not to drive until then. I have been being chauffered around. At my last appt. I asked my doctor how long will it be before I can drive afterwards and he said whenever I can put full weight on my foot and I am comfortable in that I can brake and have control.

Well thats good I was thinking you all were driving with cast on and walking boots on. Well thats great you can drive with one foot wish I could of learned after my foot was reconstructed. I couldn't drive for 5 months. Everyone take care, drive safe!! and happy!!

Can't imagine driving after 2 weeks of surgery in my boot. I had bunion and hammertoe surgery. It has been 5 weeks since surgery and a couple of days ago I accidentally put my foot flat to the floor for a few secons and it hurt. My foot tightened up like a rubber band was around it and it was very uncomfortable. So I will not be driving for at least a couple of weeks. Doctor's orders are not to drive until pins(3) come out in another week and I can walk and know I would be able to brake and be in control of the car.