Careers. Timeline from broken ankle to recovery. Yes, I've removed the boot and showered/ taken tub baths but I find it easier to take a bath in the garden tub. We still reserve our ability to advise patients to return to driving as this could bear significant medicolegal responsibility. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. 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. Learn how we can help 5.5k views Reviewed >2 years ago Thank A sprained ankle can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and put yourself and others in danger. Following injury, patients ask their doctor 'when can I drive doctor?' 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. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. When it comes to your ankle, there are various symptoms that will enable you to better determine whether the ankle is actually broken or whether you have just sustained a sprain or bruising. If the pain is severe, it may be necessary to have an orthopaedic surgeon perform surgery to . There are three bones in your ankle joint: the tibia, fibula and talus. PMC Mix it in a bucket or spray bottle, which will make for easier cleaning. I'm on exact timeline and did exact thing to my ankle for exact reason. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified I'm trying to be more realistic so I won't be disappointed. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use This has been a slooow process. Using 1 crutch, but I do shuffle when trying to walk without help. I drove to work everyday and missing my independence terribly tho I won't miss having to defrost my car windscreen in the winter months!! You must tell DVLA if you'll be unable to drive for more than 3 months because of a broken limb. I'm trying everything. I will have to try the Epsom salts when I get to the soaking stage. 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. The insurers will cover your legal liability to other for damage and injuries that are your fault. 9/6/15 broke ankle, couldn't walk, NWB. Very helpful with entertaining him this summer since I pretty much ruined things for everyone. Read our editorial policy. Take care and speedy recovery , 2 weeks later had stitches removed and fibreglass removable cast & boot fitted. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. Can you drive with a ankle boot? Is it. How to drive with a BROKEN ANKLE! Are you going to be able to start the school year? 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. Would you like email updates of new search results? Good luck with your recovery. 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. Unfortunately, the inability to drive often hampers an individual's ability to work, socialize, and effectively attend to daily necessities that emerge. 7 years ago, Sx. A office worker suffered a broken ankle while playing football for his local team and is in plaster with the use of crutches. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. 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. Equally, if you're on any kind of narcotic pain-killers, you should not get behind the wheel. This is one of the first things many foot surgery patients ask their doctors immediately following surgical procedures on their right foot or ankle. Aug 16 he will see me again and look at X-rays and give me green light to FWB. 2003 Jul;85(7):1185-9. doi: 10.2106/00004623-200307000-00001. I am glad you are able to drive now. . Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. 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. appropriate medical assistance immediately. A Systematic Review. I am 4 weeks post op for a broken ankle in three places and a dislocation from missing a step. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the And at the moment in doing 2 to 3 ,,400kms round trips a week and omg. I really admire your attitude though and wish I was a bit braver! It is my right foot and I am concerned about driving. Seems the average driving time is somewhere between 10 -12 weeks due to emergency braking. MeSH 2013 Nov;21(11):696-706. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-21-11-696. That is encouraging because that is almost 250 miles. Wiki User 2013-02 . 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. eCollection 2022 Sep. MacKenzie JS, Bitzer AM, Familiari F, Papalia R, McFarland EG. It is my right foot and I am concerned about driving. no you shouldn't drive if you sprained your ankle. Accessibility Let me know if u weight bear Monday. Ache as it's my right foot and manual car, but just to get that little bit of freedom is great. One crutch. ": The need for a rational approach to return to driving after musculoskeletal injury. My gut feeling is against this as it opens up all sorts of issues ranging from: Getting to work Stairs (there is a . 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. In a few months I'll be zipping about in my mini, walking my dog and get my life back to normal. Can a broken ankle heal on its own? He said as far as driving that will be when I can make an emergency stop and gave me "the look". Visual reaction time was tested to assess patients' cognitive function. Running, walking, and jumping are risks for sprained or broken ankles. Injury. If possible, keep your leg raised with pillows or cushions to reduce swelling. At 4 weeks, exercise activities are initiated in a swimming pool and on a bike. Sx, Forgot to say that I was 12 weeks post op before I drove. You can be fined up to. Get answers from Emergency Medicine Specialists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. When Can I Drive After Orthopaedic Surgery? If you need surgery, recovery will take longer . Patient is a UK registered trade mark. I might be able to remove it and then put back on the boot. Ever. 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. 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. "Doctor, can I drive? 2022 Jul 7;5(3):e206. I havent even asked about possible hardware removal. Once I was told I was healed my biggest concern was rolling it while walking the course, even while using a cart. Usually, ankle breaks are caused by falls, high impact sports, car . It's never ending. Turf toe is caused by excessive and repetitive pushing off of the big toe when making explosive movements (e.g. If your ankle is broken it could hinder you escaping from your car if you need to. That is the only pain I have. 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. 8600 Rockville Pike He receives services from a hearing impaired teacher. Ice your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. Such exercises can help you keep your upper body strong during your recovery period. To learn more, please visit our, Dr. Joseph Newman and another doctor agree. The name. If the left ankle is broken, you can drive once you once you have stopped taking narcotics. Clin Orthop Relat Res. This is enough to make it unsafe for driving. 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. The top of my foot has started to peel.. Hey I alsio freaked out when surgeon put " Ongoing for 2years" on medical certificate for work. Ankle; Driving; Fracture; Simulator. Visual reaction time was tested to assess patients' cognitive function. 10/23/15 started physical therapy, NWB exercises. With a clean break that doesn't need surgery, recovery can take around 6 to 8 weeks. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek What should you not do with a broken leg? and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified respect of any healthcare matters. There is just no way to drive safely with this kind of obstruction to your driving foot. The site is secure. For the right ankle, driving can be started at 4 to 6 weeks. Hope your recovery continues well and quickly. Long haul ahead. For the right ankle, driving can be started at 4 to 6 weeks. When were you able to drive and when was your injury? 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. Can you still drive with a broken ankle? Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Could a brace help? Don't think I could take any more after this. I had screws and a plate installed after a broken ankle 7 weeks ago. as being in breach of those terms. 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. 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. I am using Seba Med. It is extremely painful at night. Glad to find someone on here with the same Break/timeline. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? Just have trouble getting comfortable and sleeping at night. No weight-bearing is permitted until 4 to 6 weeks. 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. Just want to get back to normal and losing patience . No weight-bearing is permitted until 4 to 6 weeks. The PA told me to put vitamin E oil on the wounds and I have started doing that. Can I drive with a broken foot? Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. I go back to my surgeon on the 31 st and hope to start weight bearing. I will shower w boot off next time. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Can you exercise with a broken ankle? Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Disclaimer, National Library of Medicine 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. I am worried that the plan mapped out in my head isn't going to match reality. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help I hated the leg block. 4.Get out and about in a knee walker.This mobility device makes it possible for you to take yourself for a walk, which is a great way of getting the exercise you need to stay in shape. Now that you know how to shower with a broken ankle, you can enjoy the healing and rejuvenating powers of a warm shower! They are so much fun to work with. In unable to walk without a crutch and still having a lot of pain. I haven't left much either ! It is a very lonely isolating process and very difficult to be dependent on everyone. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. 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. respect of any healthcare matters. 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 I go back to my surgeon on the 31 st and hope to start weight bearing. May return to driving when walking independently, this is usually 8 weeks for right . Skeletal anatomy of the ankle Ligaments connect bone to bone to provide stability of the joints. I'm not back at work yet but like you I drove there and local public transport is not the best. That's awesome about your daughter ! 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. A walking boot helps keep the foot stable so it can heal. Painful Ooooch but did it. Should be answered by your surgeon. I'm going in with a list of questions on Monday. doi: 10.1097/OI9.0000000000000206. I don't drive-have to walk! I have 19 year old girl /boy twins. 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? Once my boot cam off. What could it be? The vitamin E oil has helped. slight undulations with a weak ankle and you can roll it easily. thanks, unfortunately my right ankle too. 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. How long after broken wrist can you drive? Ongoing for 2years!!!! A broken foot can cause changes in the physical appearance of your foot as well as problems with your movement. 10/1/15 cast removed, stitches removed, given walking boot but still NWB. 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. Driving is not possible when the foot is immobilized with a bandage or with plaster. A broken ankle, or ankle fracture, is one of the most common causes of ankle pain. Driving should only be done if you can safely do an emergency stop. The cold also masks the pain you feel. After a total right hip or knee replacement, the recommended time before driving is generally four to six weeks. I am 34 years old and drive a lot. Results showed the average maximum brake pedal force to be 34.4 kg (range: 32-35 kg). if i hit my ankle on something can the plate be dislodged? I haven't showered that leg. What type of break did you have? These types of fractures can be very disabling. It is NOT safe to drive with a cam boot or cast. I have varicose / spider veins worsening in my ankles /feet. Depending on the severity of the sprain, you may be able to put weight on your ankle and walk, but you should not drive. 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. I am going to buy some Aquaphor. is it okay to drive? Therapy to help strengthen the muscles and range of motion exercises will help to decrease the limp. To learn more, please visit our, Dr. Joseph Newman and another doctor agree, before ankle fully healed it may affect your liability. And its my right knee it aches when I drive or workout any ideas? Two years! Score: 4.5/5 (15 votes) . 11/23/15 able to drive, made my first trip to . It can keep your weight off an area, such as your toe, as it heals. Dr. Jeffrey Kass and another doctor agree. Given that feet house 26 bones and 107 ligaments, it can be hard to know the difference. Sx, I'm at 14 1/2 weeks. 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. 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. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use Broke my tibia and fibula moved away from ankle 5 months ago. Ice, heat is for a broken ankle. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. If you're experiencing severe pain from your big toe after athletic or strenuous activity you may need to be examined for a break. She participated in Special Olympics as his unified partner and comes home to attend the proms etc. 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. 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. UGH! Anesthesia or other sedative medications can impair driving for at least 24 hours. . Posted She studies really hard but She's got some tough classes ahead of her. At 4 weeks, exercise activities are initiated in a swimming pool and on a bike. 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). so the can see the exact problem and work with you. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. Broke my left ankle over 30years ago but didn't need surgery so it was totally different experience to this. 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. How do you break an already sprained ankle? I don't know about you but I don't leave the house much. Return of the braking force is essential for return to driving and to our knowledge has not been addressed previously in the literature. No, because it is not safe. Lower-extremity function for driving an automobile after operative treatment of ankle fracture. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? She is in Pre Med so I'm not sure how long she will be able to keep a 4.0. I was told to partial weight bear and next appointment 12/11. Learn how we can help 5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago Thank Dr. Joseph Newman and another doctor agree2 doctors agree 2 comments 1 thank She doesn't have a disability. I'm going to ask on Monday about a brace when I am able to drive. it has been 4 weeks since. 5 years ago, 2016 Dec;474(12):2557-2570. doi: 10.1007/s11999-016-5007-9. Good luck. 11/12/15 released by doctor, allowed to walk, FWB. Before I am craving independence. please answer i am going away and i need to drive there ! I would need much more information than what was provided, and maybe an xray. Massage Epsom salt soaks exercise and STILL. A week ago I was pitching and got hit in the shine with a line drive above the ankle. Medial Malleolus Fracture A break of this kind is the tibia only. At 6 weeks, a gradual increase in activities is recommended. Our surgeries were very close. I am glad to hear braking wasn't painful. Of course, in all areas, if you're on any medication that impairs your driving, you can be cited for Driving Under the . 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. Been out of the boot for 4 weeks. Did your doctor mention driving? We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are The first step in treatment is to reduce the pressure on the foot and ankle joint. Mine has been great since doing it with moisture every morning and night.. Great to hear that's the only discomfort /pain you get. You can be fined up to 1,000 if you don't tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. To start with, go for a walk around the block to get used to the feel of the knee walker. My doctor said I could take the boot off to drive and put it back on when I reach my destination. I only have 40/ 45 miles /90 miles round trip. I feel the same about what my head tells you. 4. eCollection 2018 Dec. McDonald EL, Pedowitz DI, Shakked RJ, Fuchs DJ, Winters BS, Daniel JN, Raikin SM. The doctor will tell you: how long you'll have to wear the boot or have the plaster cast on how much weight to put on your ankle - you may be given crutches or a walking frame to help keep weight off it Once it's healed, use your ankle as normal. Furthermore, in cases of surgical reconstruction, the affected area might not be ready to undergo the impacts delivered by driving. If you're taking opioid painkillers, you may not be able to drive until you stop using them. A serious misconception is thinking that if you can walk on your ankle, it must not be broken. Only out for half hr and glad to get back home. . Keywords: I will say no. I just now rinsed it with wound care and put E ointment and new gauze. An ankle fracture happens when you break one or more bones in your ankle joint. Line drive to the left ankle at softball game. All rights reserved. as being in breach of those terms. Do not attempt without consulting surgeon. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Learning about both can help you proceed with the right sprained ankle treatments. The bottom line, here, is . I have knee pain. The talus (or "ankle bone") connects your leg to your foot. 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. Showering was difficult because ours is very small and I couldn't fit a chair in there. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Sounds like he is doing really well! FOIA These bones include the tibia, fibula, and talus. We already had some here. How is it going with you? I am in a boot but can't bear weight yet and haven't started therapy. you should see a physician sooner than later. 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. If you have a sprained ankle, it is important to seek professional medical help as soon as possible. Driving after Upper or Lower Extremity Orthopaedic Surgery. How long will it take before i can walk after a broken ankle? 4weeks ago, I thought I would be walking independently within a fortnight!!! I haven't put anything on where we had stitches. How to lessen a limp after a broken ankle? Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. 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. So been able to have shower Sat on a bath bench with both legs in. I know it is a great feeling to be making progress and getting that independence back. it has been 4 weeks since. I have an appointment on Friday and hoping for physio soon. I'm constantly sweating at my job after a broken ankle and somebody complained. I can't wait to be able to soak my foot! Also have swelling. Always discard of the solution you make, especially if you have children in the house. 4weeks out of boot and still not able to walk unaided. DeLeon GA, Rolle NP, Burke CE, McKegg PC, Hannan ZD, Ghulam QM, Gupta J, Bangura A, O'Connor KC, Slobogean GP, O'Toole RV, O'Hara NN. To strengthen the ankle and eventually rebuild the surrounding muscle to its post-break capacity . Once your cast has been removed, regardless of which leg was immobilized, don't assume that you'll be able to drive immediately. 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! HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. for example, what type of. appropriate medical assistance immediately. The old saying is that Murphy (as in, he of Murphy's Law fame) comes knocking at the worst possible time for you. 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. Your skin will feel tight. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Use a clean towel to gentle scrub the cast/boot down. (I transitioned to sleeping in a lighter ankle . Traumatic ankle fractures are common injuries. 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. 2016 Mar;47(3):513-5. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2016.02.010. I don't expect to drive for awhile. Registered in England and Wales. Upgrade to Patient Pro Medical Professional? . We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. 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. An official website of the United States government. I had surgery for a broken ankle 3 weeks ago. A broken ankle is a more severe injury than a sprained ankle. 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. mine was broken in 3 places. I love the kids with ocular albinism and albinism. My son has Down syndrome. 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. Lol but it's heaven sat in front of TV with a cuppa and warm foot soak. Once you're used to using your knee walker, start going for longer walks. 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. Registered in England and Wales. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. 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