I'm currently partially weight-bearing (boot+crutches) and was told that in a week, I could drive. As I'll be in the boot for another 4 weeks beyond that, I'm not sure how that works?
For those that have gone through this, do you bring a shoe with you, put that on in the car and then back into the boot when you get somewhere, or ??
Q2 - for those that had a calc osteotomy/tendon transfer/or TMT fusion - if you drove before being fully weight-bearing, did you have any issues with surprise pain while on the road?
My surgeon was the one who said I could in a week..I just failed to think it through and thus ask 'how'..
I know I shan't be wearing the boot while driving as that simply wouldn't work..and can't be on opiates at the time.. but beyond that, well, i'm not sure how it's supposed to work.
I haven't checked with insurance. I'm glad you mentioned it as it didn't even occur to me that they might not if I'm cleared via the surgeon. That's a case where it's definitely better to find out now!
Was the sugery on your right foot? If so, I would NOT drive. Ask yourself if you would be able to slam on the breaks in an emergency. Luckily, my surgery was on my left foot but even then, I didn't drive for about 9 weeks
The Following User Says Thank You to roxygirl1 For This Useful Post: lola456 (11-13-2011)
I'm coming up on 8wks which was when I was to be allowed to drive again - though I have wondered precisely about what you bring up...and not only that, but what happens if I get a few miles out and do hit the breaks and my foot screams and I'm then unable to drive home...Both of which I figure I need to be fully confident in/comfortable with before I get behind the wheel - regardless of what the calendar says.
I figured I'd first test what even the basics felt like while in the driveway as for now, pushing against the couch further upsets my yet-to-be-content PTT/FDL, but nothing strikingly beyond what it already feels.
Perhaps I should change my question to - if you had this/a similar surgery, when did you start driving??
I was in casts for 10 weeks then it was another 2 week or so in the aircast before I was conformtable in driving (right foot) I took the boot off and put on a slipper as shoes did not fit yet. I would then put it back on when I parked. I was pretty close to full weight bearing at the tim but still on curtches. I practiced in a non busy neighourhood with someone with me first. I also worked on hitting the brakes often and hard to see how it felt. I had to be comfortable with it, not just desperate to have some freedom.
The Following User Says Thank You to wants to walk For This Useful Post: lola456 (11-13-2011)
You nailed it. I'm trying very hard to keep that part in check and make sure that I make reasonable/responsible decisions based on being truly ready to drive - not just desperate.
I had a ptt/spring ligament repair, calcaneal and cotton osteotomy, tendon transfer and gastroc recession. My proceedures were somewhat different than yours and from reading the posts on this boards, each doctor has a slightly different post op protocol. I was NWB 8 weeks followed by 6 weeks in a boot anytime my foot was on the floor. The first two weeks in the boot, I started with partial weight bearing and gradually increased the amount of weight on my foot. My surgeon said that the tendon work takes the longest to heal. I remember how my foot felt when I was just starting to walk using the boot and I would never had been able to drive. My foot got angry at me just walking short distances. Forget having to slam my foot down on something. The idea would make me cringe.
Maybe your foot will be able to tolerate it. Just be careful and don't push things.
The Following User Says Thank You to roxygirl1 For This Useful Post: lola456 (11-15-2011)
