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Driving Question

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My right knee TKR was a little over two weeks ago. I saw my doctor this past week, and he said I could start driving whenever I feel able to do so safely. Personally I think it is probably going to be another two weeks or so before I'm going to be ready, because right now any sudden braking would be painful.
 
OK, I now know from experience that three weeks post surgery is a little too early to be driving after a right TKR. I got a bad case of cabin fever this week, and I was feeling pretty good physically, so I decided to drive over to the closest grocery store yesterday. It was really wonderful to get out of the house, but I have been paying for it--increased swelling and pain, too much pain to sleep last night, etc. My suggestion is wait 'til maybe four weeks.
 
Yep! Nowt like experience to discover the truth!!
 
Josephine, I wondered after I made my post whether you folks in the UK use the term "cabin fever" or not! It's a phrase I learned when I lived in Alaska years ago. People would talk about having cabin fever in the winter, when it was hard to get out and do anything, the four walls of your home start to get smaller and smaller, and you start talking to your biscuits! (I guess if you have a really bad case of it, the biscuits will talk back...) Sue
 
I had my bilateral done on November 8th---I just got back behend the wheel yesterday---I felt likeI was 16 with a new license! Freedom. But then again, I am not taking any Percocets, just tylonol now, and I practiced at the parking lot at school before I hit the road.

Tim C.
 
Josephine, I wondered after I made my post whether you folks in the UK use the term "cabin fever" or not! It's a phrase I learned when I lived in Alaska years ago. People would talk about having cabin fever in the winter, when it was hard to get out and do anything, the four walls of your home start to get smaller and smaller, and you start talking to your biscuits! (I guess if you have a really bad case of it, the biscuits will talk back...) Sue

Sorry I missed your post, Sue, but yes, we do use that phrase. But we more commonly use the saying "stir crazy" as here, prison was often referred to as 'stir' (don't ask me why!) and being locked up would have the same consequences as being snowed in as you describe. Either way, it's not a happy state to be in!

Happy Christmas all!
 
Cabin fever--stir crazy---whatever---when the MD said that I was OK to drive, I was like a 16 year-old with a new license! It was truly one of those "tiny steps" that we take during this type of rehab. I did get a handicap placard for my vehicle, though.

Tim C.
 
I can just imagine, ref! I know when I was confined to barracks during a particularly aggressive episode of cellulitis (soft tissue infection) in my right leg, I was so desperate to get out of the house I'd just go sit in the car to see if I could stand the pain of having the leg down!! Had it been the left leg wouldn't have been so bad as I drive automatic. I think that was around 10 weeks in all. Gaaaarh!
 
With a left knee TKA and driving a stick shift, does anyone have any idea how long before i can drive? It's been 4 weeks and I am no where near ready at this point. Dont have the necessary ROM nor can I move my leg quickly enough.
 
I started driving at 4 weeks just a couple of blocks to the store and it hurt a little but I still did it anyway,now i will be 6 weeks tomrrow and I have driven to see my son he lives about 15 miles away and all is well. I am still sort of dragging after but I needed an outing. Lyn
 
I live two blocks from the post office and three from a small market in a town of less than 100 people. Guess those might be good places to start my driving tests. Maybe next week. Thanks for the encouragement. Good for you getting out. I'm starting to think that being restricted to home is one of the worst parts of this!
 
I'm starting to think that being restricted to home is one of the worst parts of this!

Agreed, Skeet! You will really enjoy it once you're ready to drive, and your idea of starting with very short trips is a very good one. I started with going to the closest grocery store and doing a little shopping (driving around the store in one of their scooters), and even that was a bit too much for my first trip out. Sue
 
Oh those electric carts - aren't they a Godsend? I made free use of them after my arthroscopy. So great to have the independence despite everything!
 
I wondered about the electric carts. Are they hard to drive? I was afraid of driving into something and knocking down a whole display of oranges or something! LOL

My daughter has an automatic and she let me drive the other day for a short while. It was so encouraging and fun! I'm looking forward to freedom soon.
 
Skeet---not only will you need ROM, you willneed quad strength to push in the clutch. Trust me, I hopped in the truck to run a few errands when I was cleared to drive ---4X4 auto--and I was glad to get home within 1/2 hour. You will be sruprised as to how quickly our quads and hams have lost their strength.

Hang in there---I know the feeling of watching the world go by.

Tim C.
 
You are so right, Tim. My PT had me do some exercises Monday to help with driving. I was lifting my leg from standing position up and over a cone. It was harder than I expected. This is the exact action required to shift gears, and we didn't have any strength part associated with it. I realize it will be a while yet. But I'm 4.5 weeks closer than I was when I had my surgery!
 
I wondered about the electric carts. Are they hard to drive? I was afraid of driving into something and knocking down a whole display of oranges or something! LOL

My daughter has an automatic and she let me drive the other day for a short while. It was so encouraging and fun! I'm looking forward to freedom soon.

One supermarket I went to made me take a short test drive before they would let me loose but the others just passed me the key and let me get on with it. I have to say they are a little easier if you know how to drive but otherwise, they're easy peasy. If you've never tried one, then just go really slowly to start. In my experience the biggest hazard is not displays but other customers! Many of them seem not to see you (??how on earth??) and others seem to think you have the maneuverability of a bicycle!! Therefore you need to be a bit alert and ready to give way to the ignoramuses that think anyone who is disabled is of no importance.

I have driven an automatic for nearly 30 years and quite honestly, can't imagine why people bother with manual transmissions! I have had it said to me often that they lack acceleration but I generally leave everyone else standing at the traffic lights! And I am no slouch on speed either! No, give me an automatic every time!
 
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