1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Driving - Automatic Car

Posted , 11 users are following.

Oh2bhappy
Oh2bhappy

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. 

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

Next
  • crissy_wissy
    crissy_wissy Oh2bhappy

    Posted

    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! 
  • ann19982
    ann19982 Oh2bhappy

    Posted

    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

    • crissy_wissy
      crissy_wissy ann19982

      Posted

      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.....
    • ann19982
      ann19982 crissy_wissy

      Posted

      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
  • dot60135
    dot60135 Oh2bhappy

    Posted

    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

    • Oh2bhappy
      Oh2bhappy dot60135

      Posted

      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 lol

    • mic71403
      mic71403 Oh2bhappy

      Posted

      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

    • RossshireBuffUK
      RossshireBuffUK Oh2bhappy

      Posted

      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.

    • Oh2bhappy
      Oh2bhappy RossshireBuffUK

      Posted

      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. 

    • Oh2bhappy
      Oh2bhappy RossshireBuffUK

      Posted

      Very true! I'll order a bottle with the next home delivery. I'd be lost without that too!
  • ruthannfox
    ruthannfox Oh2bhappy

    Posted

    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!
  • renee01952
    renee01952 Oh2bhappy

    Posted

    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  - 

  • valerie48782
    valerie48782 Oh2bhappy

    Posted

    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!!
  • Oh2bhappy
    Oh2bhappy

    Posted

    Thank you very much. 
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.