Driving

[JudyS]

Hi hippies,

Well, I had my right hip replaced. I imagine for left hip people driving is sooner.
My pt tells me it is easier than I think. I am in noooo rush, just curious.
When did hip replacement people start driving. Please let me know if you are a left or righty.

Getting in and out of a car are still a challenge. Moving my foot is also a challenge. I am almost 3 weeks post op. I know at this point my reaction time would be so slow.

How about enduring long rides as a passenger? Any stories?
Thanks
Judy

 

[westexas]

Hey Miss Judy,
You already know about my lovely drive 5 days post-op from Dallas to Odessa. Five long hours and very uncomfortable to say the least. We did break it up halfway with a friend of ours in Abilene. Had to go to the good ol' bathroom. Should have seen that one. The toilet looked like it was on the floor at her house...lol..

My doctor released me to drive at 5 to 6 weeks with left THR. Since I was not working, I took it really easy on my outings. And, I have a Toyota Sequoia which means the running boards are up really high and being 5'2" I had to grab on to the inside handle above the door, put my good foot up first and then sat down and turned my other leg around to get in the car. Even at 41/2 months, especially when tired, I feel like I am getting into a MAC truck...ha...

As the saying goes, good leg up first and bad leg down first.

Talk to you soon...Patty

 

[rnorris]

I had my left hip replaced May 13. Started driving automatic (borrowed) at 2 1/2 weeks. I began to drive my manual shift Forester at 4 weeks.

Rob

 

[Sofa King]

Left THR, 18 days post-op. I'm not even sleeping flat in a BED YET! (Recliner still...) Driving? Nope, not yet... Although I think I could, being that the Right leg pumps the gas and brake, I'm still so easily exhausted, punchy, and the pain folding my Left leg into the drivers' seat, I don't think I'll be attempting driving for another week or more...
~Dalton

 

[JudyS]

Hi Dalton,
I am few days ahead of you and I don't feel anywhere near ready either. Of course mine is the right hip.
My home pt is going to take me out to my car next week. When I was in my car yesterday it was still painful to get my leg in and out. I practiced trying to move my foot to get the gas and brake. No WAy.

I don't think there are too many right hips out there to get an idea.
Judy

 

[KKR1743]

I am a righty. My doctor gave me the green light to drive 4 weeks post op. Easier said than done and I have an automatic. The first day I climbed into the drivers seat and just tried to move the leg from gas to brake. The second day I went around the block. The third day I drove down town...with my adult son by my side. Long story short, by the end of the week I could drive quite well. (I had to...I waS back at work at 5 weeks.)
I am now almost 3 months post op and some days it's still not comfortable to sit in the drivers seat, but I can do it.

 

[JudyS]

Thanks
I'm glad there is another righty out there. I saw my surgeon last week at 2 weeks and will see him at 6 weeks. So I guess that is when I will probably start.
I will let my pt show me , just as she did today with the cane. But, I am not going out there until I am ready. She told me most people do not have to lift their leg up to go from the gas to break, they just can reach both at the same time,
I think I will also stay off the road when she is around!!!!
Judy

 

[Sofa King]

Well, the Wife said she wanted KFC tonight, and she's been doing everything else for me, so I suggested I'd go to get it on a whim. I haven't received permission from my OS, (but technically, he never TOLD me NOT to drive, so...) I went. Got in and out of the car fine, and didn't have to get out at the restaurant, (drive through), but by the time I got back and into the house, the bouncy roads and and shocks on the car, and the minor G forces from the turns had pumped my hip up to a 6 on the pain scale. I could have prevented that by taking a pill BEFORE I left, but otherwise, no sweat.
~Dalton

 

[westexas]

HEY YOU GUYS AND GIRLS,

GO FOR IT AT TWO, THREE, FOUR WEEKS....THAT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.....DOCS TELL YOU AFTER THE 1 MONTH CHECK UP USUALLY 5 TO 6 WEEKS ON TO BE ON THE VERY VERY SAFE SIDE AND I AM 100% ON THEIR SIDE....
I LOOK AT THE SURGERY, HOW MUCH IT COST, WHAT IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON ME IF I HAD A WRECK, ETC.........CHECK OUT HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR THAT HIP TO REALLY HEAL.......JUST SAYIN....
EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN OPINION AND HEAL AT A DIFFERENT RATE BUT I SAY AT LEAST 5 IF NOT 6 WEEKS...WITH CAUTION.... AT LEAST FOR ME.....patty

 

[newwheels08]

I am a "bothy"...three weeks was my trial run at driving. I was more nervous than my hips were...and it was OK if a bit tentative. At 4 weeks my OS made it "official" and back to work I went...haven't looked back really. At 4 months last week...I still get a bit saddle sore with long car rides....Take care

 

[JudyS]

I went for a walk around the block (a big block), my hip went to a 6 with ocasional sharp pains.
I am 3 weeks tomorrow, I sure don't even want to try it.(driving that is)
I never asked my OS when I would be able to. I am also pretty darn spacey on percocet too.
I'm with Patty not worth the risk.
Tomorrow I will scare the neighbors and get in the drivers seat and try the footwork.
Judy

 

[bnew]

I was about two maybe three weeks post op when I had to get to the bank so badly and did not have a ride. I decided to "sneak" out and do it myself. I told my daughter the neighbor drove me in my car. No, I really don't lie to my children on a regular basis. I kind of felt like I was some sneaky teenager! Driving was very easy, oh and I had my left hip done. After that I told my husband, mom, kids etc. that I was given the go ahead to drive. I have a big durango and it is really easy for me to pull myself up with the handle as well.
Bridget

 

[bnew]

yes, I forgot to mention, I'd be more worried about all of you driving while on your percocet, vicodin, codeine, morphine, and the numerous other meds you all have talked about in your posts. Ha!

 

[westexas]

yes, I forgot to mention, I'd be more worried about all of you driving while on your percocet, vicodin, codeine, morphine, and the numerous other meds you all have talked about in your posts. Ha!

Add the muscle relaxers to that and you really have a RIDE....lol....seriously...everyone heals at a different rate, some do not need pain meds after a few weeks, some feel ready to go for it and some are like me...still recovering big time at 5 to 6 weeks....just sayin....

 

[sunshine]

I am a righty and saw Doc this week he said I could drive but said 3 more weeks would be set in better with the hip (solid)
So I has my op on the 7 of May. The thing is I haven't tried yet cause I am nervous about it. As a passenger it was hard to get in my Toyota even with a cushion. My daughter had to leave so I know when I have to drive I can or ask someone. So I am assuming that by the 9th week or 10th week that I can try for the shoes and socks? I am so scared of messing up.Time will tell.

 

[JudyS]

thanks Sunshine,
I went for a rather longish walk last night, with crutches. I barely slept as I tried to take one percocet at bedtime . I was really uncomfortable., Why I didn't take another one, I don't know.
My OS told me I would know when I walked too much!!!
So driving seems to be getting further away. I am very scared about reaction time as well.
I am going to wait as long as I can. I am fortunate that I do not have to get back to work. I was fired while on medical leave!!!!

Glad to hear from another righty
Judy in So Cal

 

[Sofa King]

Judy,

THEY CAN'T FIRE YOU WHILE ON MEDICAL LEAVE!!! Can they...? I don't know your details, but I don't THINK so... anyway, maybe it was a blessing for you and your recovery, you don't seem THAT upset by it, and of course, it's none of my business! Anyway, I wanted to reiterate that I'm a "Lefty", and yeah, I drove 18 days out, but my right leg did all the driving, so it's no big deal. I'm about to start a new post about my day today, a crappy day!
~Dalton

 

[*gmac*]

I think that at 3 weeks out all I was able to do was open the drivers door wide; back myself in the drivers seat with my feet outside of the car. Sat there for about 15 minutes and felt good. My right of freedom had been restored somewhat. Monday will be 8 weeks out and it still seems tender to get my left leg in the car but once in everything is good.

 

[JudyS]

Dalton,
Everyone thought they could not fire someone on medical leave. i actually have been to a few lawyers and they all say I was really screwed, but no case.
I was actually on leave for arthroscopic hip surgery and just ready to go back when they called me in to fire me for the next school year.
Between my spine surgeon and hip surgeon, they gave me enough medical leave to stay out the rest of the school year.

The horrible thing I did was love my students too much and advocated for them to get them the services they need. My supervisor did not like the fact that I went to the head of special education in another school district to help one of my 2nd graders. Hey, it worked he is now in resource 3 days per week which he needed.
My supervisor and the new assistant superintendant made my life hell the rest of the school year after they found out what I did.
So yes, I still have dreams with them in it (nightmares)but they did give me all the time in the world to get this hip to 100%
Anyway back to driving!!!!
Judy

 

[Sofa King]

Judy,

Sounds like you very much loved your job. As a Teacher, you have, in my book, one of the most highly respected and honorable jobs ever. I'm assuming that when you regain your abilities, you'll be able to resume teaching, in some capacity? I hope so. Too bad you don't get paid what you're worth; neither do I. I think Teachers, Cops, Firefighters, EMT's, and Nurses should get a 250% pay raise across the board, and in that order! Hang in there Sweetie, the World will turn...

~Dalton