How soon is everyone driving? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

stircrazy · 10-29-2003, 12:55 PM

Hello, just had my second follow up appt w/ neuros NURSE of course, (third will be xrays and actually see doc) and she told me I could go ahead and start driving. It's been 12 days since the surgery and to me, this just seems too soon. I am just now starting to move my head side to side. She said to make sure I still wear my soft collar when I drive and ride. Now how's that going to look to other drivers. I'm sure I'll have plenty of room on the road if I do drive like that. Just wanting to find out anyone else's experience w/ driving and what you all think.

melissa

------------------
Anterior Cervical Diskectomy
Fusion of C5-6, C6-7 with plate and donor bone

Beeyes · 10-29-2003, 01:02 PM

I wore a hard collar for 18 days. As soon as I could turn my head far enough to see, I started driving. It was exactly 3 weeks post op, third day taking off the collar. I could only turn an inch or so the first day.

Brett

winged phantom · 10-29-2003, 01:12 PM

Hi,
In some states it's illegal to drive and wear a collar; please check with the laws in your state. And if you do not feel up to driving, don't. Until you can feel comfortable and confident, it's not worth the risk to your life or to those of the other people on the road.

If you do a search for "mirror" here, you will find the article that discusses a better way to adjust the side mirrors on your car to better eliminate blind spots.
wr

Debbie2 · 10-29-2003, 09:16 PM

I didn't drive until I could move my neck comfortably around to see my blind spots. Plus I was paranoid about someone hitting my car from behind, so I lagged behind, by about six weeks. Doctor told me to drive when I felt comfortable, I'm sure he didn't expect it to take six weeks.

------------------
Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

LisaM · 10-29-2003, 09:32 PM

I started driving at 2 weeks. However, I was scard to death of someone hitting me. Sure enough, first day on the road, a driver pulled out in front of me and his car stalled. How often does that happen?! I had to hit the brakes and shut it down. I didn't hit him but shaking like a leaf, I returned home and refused to drive for 2 more weeks. Someone was trying to tell me something and I listened. I started driving again at 1 month and then I felt comfortable moving my head from side to side. You know your body.......trust your gutt instinct.

------------------
Lisa
Anterior Cervical Discetomy w/donor bone and fusion C5-C6 on Sept 9, 2003