driving after broken wrist

[832ark]

10 days ago I broke my left wrist quite badly and have had it repaired with pins and plates. I'm not in a cast just tubigrip and am getting movement in my wrist already and can make a loose fist with my fingers. I'm not fit to drive at the moment but it seems that some doctors let you make up your own mind, so how will I know when its ok? I drive an auto which should make it a little easier.

[goldblum]

When you can make a good fist punch yourself six times in the face as hard as possible.If your hand is OK and you're still conscious go for a drive.Jesus Christ.

[RemainAllHoof]

Stressed, Mr Goldblum? You had an argument with another PHer on a health thread yesterday, didn't you?

The issue for me is being in good control of the vehicle at all times - if a policeman stops you and finds out that you crashed because you couldn't turn the steering wheel properly due to a weak or painful wrist then you could get done for dangerous driving.

[832ark]

Jeez I was only asking for some help! I know I certainly can't drive at the moment but what about once I can make a firm grip on the steering wheel? Just wondering if anyone else had been in a similar situation and how your recovery had been? Thanks for any useful advice!

[davepoth]

I should say if you can turn the wheel one handed with your (bad) left hand you'll be OK to drive.

[Shaw Tarse]

I'd be tempted to buy one of those knobs for the steering wheel & drive straight away

[832ark]

davepoth said:

I should say if you can turn the wheel one handed with your (bad) left hand you'll be OK to drive.

That's a pretty good benchmark I think. That would demonstrate control would it not?

[goldblum]

OK,OK look - after a bad break like that you will need physiotherapy,which I'm sure the hospital has/will be arranging for you.See what the physio says.

Also you're probably on some sort of medication for the pain? Normally after surgery to mend broken wrists

when the swelling goes down a short plastercast (?) is put on to protect the wrist...Whether it's possible to drive with a cast on I don't know..

Edited by goldblum on Sunday 23 October 13:28

[paulmon]

When I broke my wrist 10 years ago I had was told I could only drive an auto as the plaster and injury compromised my ability to change gear. Fortunatley one of my collegues had an auto so we swapped for 6 weeks. He took my P1 and I had his Merc Estate.

[mph1977]

goldblum said:

When you can make a good fist punch yourself six times in the face as hard as possible.If your hand is OK and you're still conscious go for a drive.Jesus Christ.

that's the upshot ...

[832ark]

goldblum said:

OK,OK look - after a bad break like that you will need physiotherapy,which I'm sure the hospital has/will be arranging for you.See what the physio says.

Also you're probably on some sort of medication for the pain? Normally after surgery to mend broken wrists

when the swelling goes down a short plastercast (?) is put on to protect the wrist...Whether it's possible to drive with a cast on I don't know..

Edited by goldblum on Sunday 23 October 13:28

Yep already started the physio, pretty much off the pain meds now as they're not really needed. Will not be having a cast and will be losing the tubigrip sometime this week. I'm not even supposed to have one on, just been using it to bring the swelling down. I'm making good progress but I don't want to get behind the wheel too soon. Even I'm amazed that I'm actually able to bend my wrist after such a short time but I'm told that getting it moving ASAP is the key to a better recovery. I was really surprised at no cast either but apparently all the support is internal so its not required.

[Pistom]

I drove a BMW Z4M straight after breaking my wrist and they have got a gearbox like a truck. I was an idiot to do it and never again.

With an auto on straightish roads you should be OK as long as you have decent PAS.

Just make sure you keep up the physio - again like an idiot, I didn't and am still in pain 2 years on.

Gone are the days of cheating on my right hand by using my left as well. At best i has to be a threesome

[832ark]

Pistom said:

I drove a BMW Z4M straight after breaking my wrist and they have got a gearbox like a truck. I was an idiot to do it and never again.

With an auto on straightish roads you should be OK as long as you have decent PAS.

Just make sure you keep up the physio - again like an idiot, I didn't and am still in pain 2 years on.

Gone are the days of cheating on my right hand by using my left as well. At best i has to be a threesome

I'd be quite alright driving on a straight road now no probs, the problem comes when a kid runs out into the road - that's really not a situation I want to be in!

Sorry to hear you're still suffering 2 years later. A close family friend is sorting my physio so there's no escaping from it!