Hi Christina, When was your surgery? The insurers will cover your legal liability to other for damage and injuries that are your fault. Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. It is too risky than you can imagine as it reduces brake efficiency by 25%. Usually, ankle breaks are caused by falls, high impact sports, car . When you suffer an ankle injury or a foot injury, the doctor likely will protect the injured area by requiring you to wear a boot or cast. Depends on which foot is affected from what I've read online if its ur left foot u seem to be able to get behind the wheel quicker than If it was ur right foot as U have to be able to do an Emergency stop without any pain/discomfort in ur foot. At 4 weeks, exercise activities are initiated in a swimming pool and on a bike. If your ankle is broken it could hinder you escaping from your car if you need to. Sx, Forgot to say that I was 12 weeks post op before I drove. "Doctor, can I drive? One can do nothing about having a broken ankle but see an orthopedic surgeon. How to lessen a limp after a broken ankle? ": The need for a rational approach to return to driving after musculoskeletal injury. Good luck with your recovery. running & jumping), and can vary from a sprain to a broken bone with ligament damage. I'm not back at work yet but like you I drove there and local public transport is not the best. Epub 2016 Aug 4. Once you're used to using your knee walker, start going for longer walks. Sx. Accessibility All rights reserved. What precautions to take? it has been 4 weeks since. Ice your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. If the left ankle is broken, you can drive once you once you have stopped taking narcotics. Visual reaction time was tested to assess patients' cognitive function. How long after cataract surgery can I drive, How long until you can drive after a hysterectomy, How long does swelling last after broken ankle, How long after hernia operation can you drive. A broken or fractured ankle occurs when one or more bones in your ankle break. Driving while wearing a cast or boot may lead to accidents because you are more prone to being distracted, and your reflexes are slower. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). I am 4 weeks post op for a broken ankle in three places and a dislocation from missing a step. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. If the left ankle is broken, you can drive once you once you have stopped taking narcotics. I know it is a great feeling to be making progress and getting that independence back. I guess from the swelling/ stretched skin. The top of my foot has started to peel.. Long haul ahead. When can I start driving again? I'm still getting a lot of pain when trying to walk. Can ankle tendonitis pain be pretty severe? The doctor seemed to think I would be in a boot and okay to drive/ work when we started school in Mid August but I'm starting to have some doubts. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. A Systematic Review. eCollection 2018 Dec. McDonald EL, Pedowitz DI, Shakked RJ, Fuchs DJ, Winters BS, Daniel JN, Raikin SM. is it okay to drive? Hi. Many foot fractures require a long time off work until they are cured, during which time driving is not allowed. I had a slightly structured ankle brace with hard sides that made me feel safer the first few nights sleeping out of the cast, and it was often easier to go from the bed to the bathroom on my knee scooter or crutches with the ankle brace(s) instead of re-putting on my walking boot and taking it off again for a shower. Does he have a VI teacher? I love the kids with ocular albinism and albinism. Sx, I'm at 14 1/2 weeks. most people still have. I was told to partial weight bear and next appointment 12/11. No, because it is not safe. I was told to expect swelling for up to a year. Can you drive a car with a walking boot on? If you had an intraarticular fx if possible that you are developing osteoarthritis of the ankle joint(crumbling bone", this occur very often when fx w One way to get rid of the the excess sweating is a home remedy of soaking feet in tea. How long after broken wrist can you drive? Running, walking, and jumping are risks for sprained or broken ankles. 10/1/15 cast removed, stitches removed, given walking boot but still NWB. You can be fined up to 1,000 if you don't tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. A sprained ankle can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and put yourself and others in danger. I am using Seba Med. Luckily work have been great but can't c myself being back until early next year. I'm on exact timeline and did exact thing to my ankle for exact reason. Patients value their own pain over braking safety when deciding when to return to driving: a discrete choice experiment on lower extremity injuries. A office worker suffered a broken ankle while playing football for his local team and is in plaster with the use of crutches. Read our editorial policy. Hard to be positive all the time, I've been in tears and felt pretty low esp at the beginning when I was NWB but realise it's only temporary and there's a lot of people worse off than me. A friend of mine drove with her left foot but I'm not that coordinated. To learn more, please visit our, Dr. Joseph Newman and another doctor agree. Do not attempt without consulting surgeon. At 6 weeks, a gradual increase in activities is recommended. Can anyone advise how long it took them to drive - the loss of independence is driving me mad, it would be lovely to walk again and even better to drive so I can get out by myself instead of having to rely on others. I do sympathise with you, but I wouldn't attempt to drive without consulting the hospital. How much recovery time do you need after a broken ankle cast? Increased use would cause pain in the tibial shaft about 4-6 inches up from the ankle joint itself. Sports should not be considered until walking is pain free. Driving is not possible when the foot is immobilized with a bandage or with plaster. Your tibia is the big bone in your lower leg and is sometimes called your shinbone. He said as far as driving that will be when I can make an emergency stop and gave me "the look". In conclusion, the DTS can be used to simulate an emergency stop to assess the motor power and cognitive function (visual reaction time) in case of right ankle fractures as this can give the patient an idea regarding their ability to apply brake force and the return of their visual reaction time. No chance. The surgical incisions on the inside of my ankle seem to pull as they are healing . not sure if the skin is tightening where the stitches were and the boot rubs against them to cause more irritation or what. Medial Malleolus Fracture A break of this kind is the tibia only. Sx. eCollection 2022 Sep. MacKenzie JS, Bitzer AM, Familiari F, Papalia R, McFarland EG. 4 users are following. no driving while in an aircast! Such exercises can help you keep your upper body strong during your recovery period. 4weeks out of boot and still not able to walk unaided. Skeletal anatomy of the ankle Ligaments connect bone to bone to provide stability of the joints. 5 users are following. I will have to try the Epsom salts when I get to the soaking stage. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. If you have a cast or boot on your right foot, it's best to avoid driving until your doctor gives you the okay. The only thing that seems to be subsiding is the swelling. We're assuming you know how to drive and have a license. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. It doesn't matter whether that is because you misjudged a bend, failed to give way, were speeding, were drunk, were sending a text, or driving with a broken ankle. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Get multiple ankle braces. No pain in the joint and I'd get slight bruising overnight in the calf muscle along the lower end of the tibia with increased stiffness again for a brief spell. The aim of this study is to pilot a sample of patients with ankle fractures for the return of their normal power and visual reaction time following injury using a simulator (DTS: Drive Test Station). Driving - Depending on the severity of the injury and if surgery is necessary, a person with a broken right ankle may not be able to drive for a short while. It does make my foot /heel. To start with, go for a walk around the block to get used to the feel of the knee walker. A broken ankle, or ankle fracture, is one of the most common causes of ankle pain. That's not always the case Just because you can apply weight after a twisting injury to your ankle doesn't mean everything is fine. It is a very lonely isolating process and very difficult to be dependent on everyone. After reading similar posts on various forums, I put an ice compression on my foot today, and virtually unable to move my foot in any direction. She studies really hard but She's got some tough classes ahead of her. It has an indented area on the right that is perfect to raise my foot up comfortably so it doesn't soak and it is much easier to rinse the soap out of my hair. Such a small thing. Soaking your feet. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. It never bruised but now arch is and still sharp pain, red,warm? Is it okay to drive? I don't expect to drive for awhile. I wasn't told to. Got pain. Don't think I could take any more after this. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? Ice decreases the flow of blood to your ankle, thus reducing swelling. When Can I Drive After Orthopaedic Surgery? What could it be? Therapy to help strengthen the muscles and range of motion exercises will help to decrease the limp. In most cases, yes, you can walk with a broken pinky toe. Slower reaction time According to a study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, casts slow your ability to brakeup to 25% slower in their testing. mine was broken in 3 places. Mine was June 26. And its my right knee it aches when I drive or workout any ideas? I am in a boot but can't bear weight yet and haven't started therapy. It is my right foot and I am concerned about driving. Is it. I went out on my own to take some thing back to store today, first time on my own. How long will it take before i can walk after a broken ankle? You must tell DVLA if you'll be unable to drive for more than 3 months because of a broken limb. not enough info for exact answer! Would you like email updates of new search results? I have been so frustrated at not being able to walk, or drive, it has caused me to feel depressed at my never being able to walk or work again! A week ago I was pitching and got hit in the shine with a line drive above the ankle. Ever. Also have swelling. We already had some here. can only definitively diagnosed with an x-ray, which will require a physician's order. . Ugh! Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. The severity of the fracture will directly impact recovery time. Start with some putting, short game, wedges, short irons and work your way up to full swings. After weeks in a cast, strength in your foot and/or ankle will be diminished; you'll therefore want to wait until your walking has returned to normal before even attempting to drive. So it doesn't look like for awhile. I just now rinsed it with wound care and put E ointment and new gauze. If the orthopedic surgeon says crutches are alright, he/she will tell the patient to use crutches after training with them, and do progressive weight bearing on the broken ankle, and PT. I'm trying to be more realistic so I won't be disappointed. Talk this over with your, They know the degree of the damage and the extent of the, Two months! Ankle fractures in the Medicare population occurred at 1/10 the rate of hip fractures, and all ankle fractures together have a one year mortality which is half of the hip fracture mortality rate. Driving With a Broken Foot: The Don'ts There are some clear no-nos, of course: if your right foot is in a cast or brace, you absolutely should not drive. It is important to limit or prohibit driving altogether until the patient feels ready; returning to driving too soon can prolong recovery by delaying and disrupting healing and causing pain and inflammation. Broken foot symptoms include: Pain that can either occur suddenly or develop gradually Difficulty bearing weight on your foot Swelling in the ankle, foot, or toes Foot bruising and discoloration Turf toe is caused by excessive and repetitive pushing off of the big toe when making explosive movements (e.g. 11/19/15 started "driving" practice. Is is possible to have bone crumbling long term after a broken ankle? This fracture is not as common as the Lateral Malleolus fracture and occurs on the end of the tibia bone. At 4 weeks, exercise activities are initiated in a swimming pool and on a bike. Would love some input Angela, Hi Angela' I'm now 4weeks out of my boot. Had surgery -1 plate 9 screws wire inserted. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. broke my foot last year. I would need much more information than what was provided, and maybe an xray. Driving is freedom. I honestly didn't feel pain when emergency breaking. . Before Painful Ooooch but did it. It is my right foot and I am concerned about driving. Yes, I've removed the boot and showered/ taken tub baths but I find it easier to take a bath in the garden tub. I don't drive-have to walk! My gut feeling is against this as it opens up all sorts of issues ranging from: Getting to work Stairs (there is a . A fractured ankle can range from: A simple break in one bone, which may not stop you from walking, to Several fractures, which may require surgery. Taking shoe on and off hurts. Apply ice to your ankle to relieve pain and swelling. Everything is healing well. 9/17/15 ankle surgery, in cast, not allowed to walk. It is extremely painful at night. Return to car driving is safe 6weeks after operative treatment of right ankle fractures. If the pain is severe, it may be necessary to have an orthopaedic surgeon perform surgery to . Some of my students with OA needed services for awhile and then went to a 504 or consultation. I haven't showered that leg. The key symptoms of a broken ankle. That is the only pain I have. A broken foot can cause changes in the physical appearance of your foot as well as problems with your movement. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted 4. He doesn't have a visual impairment but wears hearing aids. 2016 Mar;47(3):513-5. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2016.02.010. I wish my doctor and PA were a little more informative. It is a practical assessment tool that could be used in fracture clinic setting. You may experience a broken ankle from a twisting injury from a simple misstep or fall, or from direct trauma during a car crash, for example. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in Our surgeries were very close. I use a non scented sensitive skin soap on the wound area and area around it. 15,398 views Nov 9, 2019 Like Dislike Share Let's Talk Financials 390 subscribers Having a broken ankle isn't a fun spot to be in. In a few months I'll be zipping about in my mini, walking my dog and get my life back to normal. no you shouldn't drive if you sprained your ankle. I am worried that the plan mapped out in my head isn't going to match reality. The initial surgery was bad enough. If you need surgery, recovery will take longer . How is it going with you? Ongoing for 2years!!!! Been so fearful! Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek You can be fined up to. She doesn't have a disability. By that time I will be 7 weeks post op. Glad to find someone on here with the same Break/timeline. If you're still recovering from an injury or operation and have a cast or boot on your right foot, it's best to avoid driving. Your skin will feel tight. Lower-extremity function for driving an automobile after operative treatment of ankle fracture. if i hit my ankle on something can the plate be dislodged? Driving after right ankle break Follow Posted 5 years ago, 4 users are following. 2020 Jan;478(1):8-15. doi: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000000881. Aug 16 he will see me again and look at X-rays and give me green light to FWB. I have 19 year old girl /boy twins. 10/23/15 started physical therapy, NWB exercises. To strengthen the ankle and eventually rebuild the surrounding muscle to its post-break capacity . I am new to the group. Your ankle joint consists of your tibia, your fibula and your talus. Notes on When can I drive after recovering from a broken ankle? Let's hope we don't have to go through the hardware removal. But seems your doing well if you've been told you can take boot off to drive!! Before boot cans off a bought a waterproof cast cover which went over the cast so I could still shower without my leg dangling over side. you should see a physician sooner than later. Mine has been great since doing it with moisture every morning and night.. Great to hear that's the only discomfort /pain you get. How soon you can return to work depends on how badly you fractured the ankle and the type of work you do, but you will probably be off for at least four to six weeks. The site is secure. Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. Their differences depend on the location of the injury as well as its severity. I go back to my surgeon on the 31 st and hope to start weight bearing. It takes about six to twelve weeks for a broken ankle to heal, but it make take longer to regain full movement of the lower leg and foot. it is highly unlikely that you could dislodge the plate in your ankle from bumping it. I have varicose / spider veins worsening in my ankles /feet. Learning about both can help you proceed with the right sprained ankle treatments. It doesn't seem like much, but . Sx, Three bones -- the tri break. Driving with an injury can lead to serious consequences and even hospitalization. What should be my realistic expectation. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? Published by Elsevier Ltd. So could sat it was at 10 weeks that I could start soaking. The talus (or "ankle bone") connects your leg to your foot. 2018 Dec;138(12):1691-1697. doi: 10.1007/s00402-018-3037-3. She is an advocate for kids with Special Needs and loves her brother dearly. Yes, it's safe to drive No pain with ankle movement Able to stand on one leg Able to press the clutch and/or brake without issues Usual walking/gait pattern (no limping) No, it's not safe to drive Pain with movements of the ankle, even when sitting Difficulty getting up or down the stairs Severe swelling or bruising so your usual shoes don't fit Showering was difficult because ours is very small and I couldn't fit a chair in there. This is enough to make it unsafe for driving. Sounds like he is doing really well! In general, a bone will require at least 6 weeks to heal. So been able to have shower Sat on a bath bench with both legs in. Copyright 2014. I'm sure you will be OK just take it easy. . Driving after Upper or Lower Extremity Orthopaedic Surgery. Can you tell me how to lessen a limp after a broken ankle? DiSilvestro KJ, Santoro AJ, Tjoumakaris FP, Levicoff EA, Freedman KB. 2016 Dec;474(12):2557-2570. doi: 10.1007/s11999-016-5007-9. I feel the same about what my head tells you. In unable to walk without a crutch and still having a lot of pain. I am 4 weeks post op for a broken ankle in three places and a dislocation from missing a step. Very helpful with entertaining him this summer since I pretty much ruined things for everyone. MeSH It's never ending. We had to cancel our trip to the beach and pretty much everthing else. Only used it twice because as soon as I got it the cast came off so could then get everything wet. . An ankle fracture happens when you break one or more bones in your ankle joint. My dr said not to put pressure on it but I can walk on that leg but it's unstable. OTA Int. Egol KA, Sheikhazadeh A, Mogatederi S, Barnett A, Koval KJ. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. It has helped my ankle rotation and heal pain.its good when I can use cruise control in car but haven't been able to because of rainy weather. Tea contains tannin that help decrease the sweating. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use Clin Orthop Relat Res. Sorry, it's not what you want to hear & good luck with physio. I had screws and a plate installed after a broken ankle 7 weeks ago. Right ankle, Will depend on your local law: Where I live you have to book an appointment with a driving tester and the tester will determine if you can drive your car safely. PMC I haven't put anything on where we had stitches. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the I honestly and naively thought that I would be all good in 3 months but it seems I'm kidding myself. Can i drive? Hope your recovery continues well and quickly. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. Given that feet house 26 bones and 107 ligaments, it can be hard to know the difference. Ankle; Driving; Fracture; Simulator. She participated in Special Olympics as his unified partner and comes home to attend the proms etc. as being in breach of those terms. UGH! respect of any healthcare matters. Let me know if u weight bear Monday. Line drive to the left ankle at softball game. https://patient.info/forums/discuss/driving-after-right-ankle-break-602682. DTS was used to examine patients' ability to apply a braking force of 35 kg, representing the amount of force required to do an emergency stop at 70 mph. Hey I alsio freaked out when surgeon put " Ongoing for 2years" on medical certificate for work. If the right ankle is broken, one cannot drive for a while. Per se, "driving with a broken wrist" is not illegal.. Can you drive with a broken hand UK? I am an itinerant teacher so I do a lot of walking and driving from school to school. Traumatic ankle fractures are common injuries. It is NOT safe to drive with a cam boot or cast. I am going to buy some Aquaphor. 9/6/15 broke ankle, couldn't walk, NWB. 2022 Jul 7;5(3):e206. The seriousness of a broken ankle varies. Epub 2018 Sep 18. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Timeline from broken ankle to recovery. She just completed her first year of college with a 4.0. This 51 yo patient sustained a low energy ground-level injury to his ankle. I might be able to remove it and then put back on the boot. My doctor said I could take the boot off to drive and put it back on when I reach my destination. Although I've been driving for many years I've only ridden scooters on holidays in Greece and didn't feel that safe. While more immedia. 5 years ago, Mix it in a bucket or spray bottle, which will make for easier cleaning. Careers. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Let's hope you won't be as long as I was before you can have foot soak. No weight-bearing is permitted until 4 to 6 weeks. Can i drive with a broken ankle? Sx. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. A study found if you're driving 60 miles per hour and wearing the type of ankle control immobilization boot that's common after foot surgery, it can take you an additional 9.2 feet to come to a complete stop during emergency braking. Can you exercise with a broken ankle? Take care and speedy recovery , 2 weeks later had stitches removed and fibreglass removable cast & boot fitted. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. It wouldn't be so much an issue about not having to use a clutch with an automatic but more the 'what if you're involved in a car accident' side of things. I have muscle atrophy in my left leg from a ankle injury. I have knee pain. Once your cast has been removed, regardless of which leg was immobilized, don't assume that you'll be able to drive immediately. The PA told me to put vitamin E oil on the wounds and I have started doing that. They are so much fun to work with. Driving after a foot or ankle injury | Dr. David Geier - Feel and Perform Better Than Ever Driving after a foot or ankle injury Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Did your doctor mention how many weeks until you could weight bear? 2003 Jul;85(7):1185-9. doi: 10.2106/00004623-200307000-00001. 7 years ago, His office manager has enquired about him coming into work on occasions to attend important meetings etc. government site. please answer i am going away and i need to drive there ! My son has Down syndrome. However, if you have any concerns about its stability, then see a doctor immediately so that appropriate treatment can be provided. These bones include the tibia, fibula, and talus. After a total right hip or knee replacement, the recommended time before driving is generally four to six weeks. The name. I've been driving for 2weeks now, not as easy or should say comfortable as I thought it would be. I've set myself a target of end Nov to be off crutches and pushing myself with the exercises til I c physio next week. After weeks of immobilization, strength in your foot and/or ankle will be diminished; you'll therefore want to wait until your walking has returned to normal before even attempting to drive. An official website of the United States government. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). So we can Verify, there's no law against driving with a broken foot. After confirming fracture union, 12 drivers with an isolated right ankle fracture were recruited 7.8 days after coming out of plaster (0-21 days). Driving should only be done if you can safely do an emergency stop. (I transitioned to sleeping in a lighter ankle . so the can see the exact problem and work with you. I'm constantly sweating at my job after a broken ankle and somebody complained. A broken or fractured ankle is an injury to the bone. 4 If any joint has been placed in a cast or brace, you should avoid driving even if it's a soft brace or bandage since your range of motion is still restricted. Study shows that it will take you more time to match the brake effectively as you might be scared of the pain attached to using the foot. Can I drive with a broken foot? Am I going to try it? I also changed teaching jobs this year and hate to start the school year out on leave. It is not safe. I am 34 years old and drive a lot. How to drive with a BROKEN ANKLE! Wiki User 2013-02 . DTS was used to examine patients' ability to apply a braking force of 35 kg, representing the amount of force required to do an emergency stop at 70 mph. Normal parameters were defined by the patient's contra-lateral non-injured limb. Ice, heat is for a broken ankle. I can't wait to be able to soak my foot! Anesthesia or other sedative medications can impair driving for at least 24 hours. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek Return of the braking force is essential for return to driving and to our knowledge has not been addressed previously in the literature. Not bruised or swollen but hurts and pops to move and hurts to walk on. , if any, and any clinical and radiographic features would have to be considered first and foremost in order to make this diagnosis. . I was exactly the same, i thought that once the cast came off id be a bit stiff but after a few weeks be back at work. Unfortunately it was my right foot I broke, I'm 10wks post op, FWB with crutches and at the moment I'm Nowhere near being able to put foot down suddenly on the floor without pain so think I've a way to go yet before I can drive again. When i drive my ankle hurts and my foot goes numb which goes up my calf which says swollen and my knee always hurts what can it be? I my reaction was pure horror until dr explained it generally takes 5 6 months but they allow for full recovery and possible removal of hardwear if needed. Can you still drive with a broken ankle? Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. I am craving independence. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. I broke my ankle bones in three places on 8/9 after having a plate and pins and three weeks in hospital I am now at the stage of wearing an air boot and walking NWB with crutches. That is what he told me on my first visit when I was practically in tears when I found out about the surgery/recovery time. The first step in treatment is to reduce the pressure on the foot and ankle joint. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. 11/12/15 released by doctor, allowed to walk, FWB. I'm preparing some questions when I go on Monday. Dr. Jeffrey Kass and another doctor agree. This is one of the first things many foot surgery patients ask their doctors immediately following surgical procedures on their right foot or ankle. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies How long do I need to wait to drive after broken ankle surgary ? When I told my consultant I can't wait to get behind the wheel again, he just told me that I had to be able to do a emergency stop. I had surgery for a broken ankle 3 weeks ago. Can a broken ankle heal on its own? how do i treat this? You will A simple rule of thumb: for every day you are immobilized (crutches, splint, cast, cast boot, etc), it will take you two days to recover fom the immob How long do i need to wait to drive after broken ankle surgary ? appropriate medical assistance immediately. Posted The boot can be used for broken bones, tendon injuries, severe sprains, or shin splints. I am glad to hear braking wasn't painful. Unfortunately, the inability to drive often hampers an individual's ability to work, socialize, and effectively attend to daily necessities that emerge. That is encouraging because that is almost 250 miles. Of course, in all areas, if you're on any medication that impairs your driving, you can be cited for Driving Under the . The bottom line, here, is . My surgery was June 23rd. No. Because I know it's going to be painful, but if anything happens where you had to do one, then you would just automatically kick in and do it. Furthermore, in cases of surgical reconstruction, the affected area might not be ready to undergo the impacts delivered by driving. Disclaimer, National Library of Medicine my dr said not to put pressure on it but i can walk on that leg but it's unstable. Good luck. Bookshelf For the right ankle, driving can be started at 4 to 6 weeks. angela803 Hi, I am new to the group. Visual reaction time was tested to assess patients' cognitive function. The .gov means its official. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. I have an appointment on Friday and hoping for physio soon. I will say no. A broken ankle usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal, but it can take longer. Lol but it's heaven sat in front of TV with a cuppa and warm foot soak. We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are Here are five things you can do for a friend or family member who is dealing with a broken ankle: 1. And at the moment in doing 2 to 3 ,,400kms round trips a week and omg. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified Ache as it's my right foot and manual car, but just to get that little bit of freedom is great. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I don't know about you but I don't leave the house much. Sx. Driving and medical conditions Broken limbs and driving You must tell DVLA if you'll be unable to drive for more than 3 months because of a broken limb. Some of . If you're experiencing severe pain from your big toe after athletic or strenuous activity you may need to be examined for a break. I never dreamed a broken ankle could be so confining. Been out of the boot for 4 weeks. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in Can you drive with a ankle boot? Mine felt the same but as your wound is now healed run moisture cream into the scar or a little vasolin just to help keep it from stretching. Then the patient will begin to attend appointments with a physiotherapist to begin the rehabilitation process. He said to go to a parking lot and practice driving to make sure I was able to but felt like I would be able to when school started by removing the boot and putting it back on. Use an ice pack, bag of ice, or even a bag of frozen veggies to cool down your injured ankle. How do you break an already sprained ankle? Should be answered by your surgeon. I havent even asked about possible hardware removal. The ability to safely drive depends on several variables including reaction time, force, range of movement and pain. However, they'll still need to get around to drop their kids off at school, run . Can't recall. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. What can I do to help for pain or what procedure can I do. This break can take up to 6 weeks to recover without surgery, however the broken ankle recovery time after surgery can be up to 12 weeks in certain cases. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. If possible, keep your leg raised with pillows or cushions to reduce swelling. 8600 Rockville Pike By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Yes and no, as it's not specifically illegal to drive with a broken leg or foot, but if a doctor advises you not to drive then you legally cannot get behind the wheel. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? Takes me a while to stop moaning. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Massage Epsom salt soaks exercise and STILL. With a clean break that doesn't need surgery, recovery can take around 6 to 8 weeks. I only have 40/ 45 miles /90 miles round trip. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. The timeframes suggested by surgeons after which patients could return to driving following a wrist fracture varied from zero to 12 weeks following the injury. slight undulations with a weak ankle and you can roll it easily. However, if you broke your right ankle, as I did, you have to be able to press hard on the accelerator, hard on the brake, and to be able to move your foot back and forth between the pedals easily. I'm trying everything. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. To learn more, please visit our, Dr. Joseph Newman and another doctor agree, before ankle fully healed it may affect your liability. Have you? I will shower w boot off next time. J Bone Joint Surg Am. The next step of physiotherapy happens once the ankle has been set and is somewhat healed, normally six to ten weeks after the injury. A walking boot helps keep the foot stable so it can heal. I do however get swelling and burn when I drive too far. Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. I had surgery for a broken ankle 3 weeks ago. Dr. Jeffrey Kassanswered Podiatry 29 years experience Talk now Not if it: Is on your driving foot you can't. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. I hated the leg block. There is just no way to drive safely with this kind of obstruction to your driving foot. Did your doctor mention driving? Can you drive a car with a broken ankle? Posted No weight-bearing is permitted until 4 to 6 weeks. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This has been a slooow process. We still reserve our ability to advise patients to return to driving as this could bear significant medicolegal responsibility. Injury. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. I am not sure what to expect after reading the different recovery times. Score: 4.5/5 (15 votes) . Registered in England and Wales. One absolute: patients should not drive with a cast or brace on the right leg,. Exceptions would be swimming and cycling - as long as there is no pain while doing them. The vitamin E oil has helped. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? Read our editorial policy. thanks, unfortunately my right ankle too. Call our Ankle Fracture Line at 833.294.9759 Anatomy of the ankle joint The ankle joint is composed of the tibia, fibula and talus bones. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. it would be best to see a doctor and get x-rays. Just curious, which ankle is it. Just have trouble getting comfortable and sleeping at night. Registered in England and Wales. When were you able to drive and when was your injury? doi: 10.1097/OI9.0000000000000206. unfortunately it's my right foot, don't think I'm brave enough for a scooter. This can be done by stretching the ligaments and tendons, or by strengthening the muscles that support the joint, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles. Get answers from Emergency Medicine Specialists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. She is in Pre Med so I'm not sure how long she will be able to keep a 4.0. it is tempting but in the event of an accident the insurance company wouldn't pay and worse still, you could get fined and points on your license. These types of fractures can be very disabling. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. I just read Aquaphor is best. appropriate medical assistance immediately. I really admire your attitude though and wish I was a bit braver! I'm going to ask on Monday about a brace when I am able to drive. Even a short cast adds 6.1 feet to your braking time at the same speeds. All rights reserved. . As far as therapy I'm not sure. Orange County Sports Medicine Specialist Folklore has it that if you rolled your ankle and you can still walk you do not have a fracture. Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Without more information it is difficult to tell. Results showed the average maximum brake pedal force to be 34.4 kg (range: 32-35 kg). He receives services from a hearing impaired teacher. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. One crutch. Once my boot cam off. If you're taking opioid painkillers, you may not be able to drive until you stop using them. I'm going in with a list of questions on Monday. Thus patients who have ankle fractures are generally healthier and more active than those with hip fractures and they are much more likely survive . That's awesome about your daughter ! I will let you know how Monday's appt goes. Doing exercises while seated can be a good option if you're recovering from a serious foot, ankle, knee or leg injury and can't put any or much weight on your foot, Biala says. Broke my tibia and fibula moved away from ankle 5 months ago. and transmitted securely. 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