Driving - Automatic Car

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I had a left THR on 6 May. 

I can now get in and out the passenger seat without help. I have not attempted the drivers side yet. 

Please can anyone share their experiences? I know it will be a different situation when I have my right hip-hop op done...

Thank you. 

2

Use a plastic bin bag to slide around on the car seat....oh and take your time....you shouldnt drive until after 6 weeks but my surgeon suggested trying to drive around an empty supermarket car park after hours...especiallyt to practice emergency stops! 

3

I understand if it is the left hip and car automatic you can drive straight away as long as you are not on heavy duty drugs.  You do not use your left foot in automatic.  I had right hip and had to wait 8 weeks to get the okay from surgeon and insurance company needed a letter of confirmation.  When I get left done I will not have these restrictions

Good luck xx

4

yep...mine was right hip and I drive an automatic...don't think I could have managed to sit in same position for very long till at least 6 weeks though.....

5

Yes sitting is not easy and still at 10 weeks I find switching from accelerator to brake a tad uncomfortable.  i do not go very far probably 5 miles at the most xx

6

Hi Oh2bhappy, I also have had a left THR and have both a manual and automatic car, the problem I have is that both are very low and whilst I could get into the passenger seat of my friends "higher up" car, mine were impossible until 8/9 weeks. It might be worth noting that your insurrance company might have a clause saying you are not covered until 6weeks post-op (mine does).

I now drive my auto and have found sitting on a cushion helps relieve pressure on my hip, I am very slim but found the bucket seats grabbed me a little too snugly. Its great to have the independance of driving again but I would build up distance slowly as I stiften up on long journeys.

Thake care and enjoy your car again xx

7

I think it depends on how confident you feel i have TRH and at 6weeks the consultant said I could drive I went out in the car the same afternoon as I was looking forward to it being independent l had to do an emergency stop the next week for real as a car pulled out in front of me!

8

Oh2behappy - could get in and out the passengers' seat at 14 days post-op when I had to go to the hospiatl to have my staples removed ... big cushion wrapped in bin liner was helpful ---  started to drive at 6 weeks - the getting in and out of the car is a bitch .. still is, now at 10 weeks, but getting better ... seat very low, tiny car - 

I graduated from making one stop per ride in the first week to 3, but this is pushing it ....  good luck and be careful  - 

9

Thank you. I have a Peugeot 3008, which is quite high. 

I'm not wanting to rush anything, but need something to give me hope 

10

i have an automatic and had left THR - drove it the day after my 6 week check, which was actually 5 weeks if you see what i mean, only short distances to start with but the independence was such a boost - remember to get in and out like a lady!!

11

Thank you very much. 

12

Maybe you need to change your name now to "now I'm getting happier". My consultant said I could drive after 2  weeks, much to my astonishment. Same scenario, left hip, automatic car, u.k. The consultant also said to have someone with me at first, which I did. I am now 5 plus weeks and doing easy outings. I have noticed that I need to concentrate harder and that I get tired more easily. My car is a 4 wheel drive, not a "skimming the ground, feel every bump" kind of car. I had some friends drive me around for the first few weeks and I felt every bump, different car completely. Good luck🚘

13

Oh Oh!

Greetings from Devon...

Good luck with the car..like others I found swivelling on a plastic bag worked well. Driving at less than 6 weeks even in an auto car sounds a bit dodgy...could you do an emergency stop?

In the end tho...trust your body and do wot seems right for you.

Re insurance worry I simply drove my car at 6 weeks as per physio advise at pre op visit. Someone on this page said I should tell them, which I finally did last week at 10 weeks, and they were less than interested!

Good luck

Mic

14

Hi Happy,

I also had a LTHR & drive an automatic.  Because I live on my own in a cottage on a farm I got in & drove 6 miles into town to the supermarket at 4 weeks to the day.  The seat angle meant that I felt slight discomfort (not pain) in the new hip, but it soon went away.  I drove every couple of days after that ~ no problem.

Good luck.

15

Thank you. 

I was thinking of attempting to get in the driver's seat next week... To celebrate the four weeks and end of injections! 

Seems more of a goal than cracking open a bottle of wine. 

16

Whyever can't you do both!?!

17

Very true! I'll order a bottle with the next home delivery. I'd be lost without that too!