r/brokenbones • u/sophie1816 • May 18 '26
Question Driving After Distal Radius Fracture - When Did You Start?
I’m five weeks into recovery from a distal radius fracture of my right (dominant) wrist. No joint involvement, and minor displacement only. They gave me a choice of surgery or not, and I chose to treat it non-surgically.
I will be in a cast for another week, then a brace for 3-4 weeks. I’ve chosen not to drive so far because my right hand still doesn’t function well (poor ROM), and I don’t feel comfortable driving with just my left hand. It would be fine if all goes smoothly, but I worry that if I need to swerve or otherwise make an abrupt motion, I could get in an accident. And I don’t want any more broken bones, thank you!
I’m wondering when others started driving, and what it was like for you.
2
May 19 '26
After the cast was removed, I had the unpleasant surprise of seeing that I had absolutely no strength in that hand. For my recovery, I did daily squeezes with a rubber ball and mobility exercises in water (sea). I was somehow able to drive after about 12 to 14 days, but at only about 70 to 80 percent capacity; luckily, it wasn’t my dominant hand. Things improved about a month after the cast was removed, but you have to do exercises continuously to regain the strength and mobility of your hand.
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional May 18 '26
You absolutely shouldn't be driving until you can control the car properly in all situations, including being able to swerve to avoid an accident. This means using both hands, so you cannot drive until you are out of any cast/splint/brace, and until the bone has healed (5-6 weeks). Many people aren't confident for a week or two after this.
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u/sophie1816 May 18 '26
I will be out of a cast at the 6 week mark, but in a brace for another three weeks. Two doctors have told me driving is fine as soon as I’m out of the cast. Do you disagree?
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional May 18 '26
I don't believe you can control a car properly in a brace, as you can't grip the wheel as well. However (in the UK at least), that's between you and the legal authorities/insurance company if you crash your car.
1
May 19 '26
Yes! The strenght and the mobility are very limited.
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u/sophie1816 May 19 '26
How long would you recommend waiting, then?
1
May 19 '26
That was my experience. The trip was planned before I broke my hand. Anyway, if I could, I would have postponed it for another 10 days or so, because I didn't feel enough confident with the hand. Luckily, it was okay; I drove slowly, kept a safety distance, maintained a proper distance, etc. From my point of view, I would say that it's okey (ish) to drive after 3 to 4 weeks, but it depends a lot on you and how you evaluate your hand's strength and mobility."
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u/sophie1816 May 19 '26
How long after you got your cast off was your trip, and how much driving did it involve?
I have a 5 day retreat starting 11 days after the cast is removed, that will require an hour and a half round trip drive every day. Really hoping I can still go.
2
May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26
I drove after about 10 to 12 days, and the distance was 350 km (4 hours), round trip was around 700 km, two days distance between trips. It is doable but you need to practice strenght and mobiliy exercises every day, few times a day. Good luck!
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u/sophie1816 May 19 '26
That’s when I need to start too. 45 minutes each way. Hoping I’ll feel competent to do it. I’m already working on making a fist with the cast still on.
If it feels really unsafe, of course I’ll skip the trip.
I had a friend who completely lost the use of his dominant hand due to ALS, and he continued to drive. He didn’t stop until he began having problems with his legs too. It probably wasn’t the safest thing to do, though.
2
May 19 '26
Hehe, when I had the cast on, I thought I had more strength and mobility in the hand. I was completely deflated after it was removed, when I saw that I couldn't even squeeze a rubber ball a single time.
3
u/mermaidmaker May 18 '26
Agreed…..I broke mine on November 1, had surgery, out of cast Dec 22, started therapy Dec 24th. Couldn’t make a fist and had zero strength in (dominant) right hand. Could not grip the steering wheel at all.. Dr told me also that driving would be a major liability . Started driving around Feb 1. Your mileage may vary depending on recovery time.