Author Topic: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear  (Read 4516 times)

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Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« on: May 02, 2016, 07:33:14 PM »

Offline Neurotic Guy

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Last Thursday  -- in my old man basketball game --  I tore my right distal biceps tendon.  It's a complete tear so I need surgery within the next week to repair it.   Apparently, this puts me in a splint for a month. 

They say no driving for a month.   I am self-employed and I drive to many different places, all at least 30 minutes away from home.  My wife works in the opposite direction from where I typically go.  Bottom line is, I'll have to do some driving or I'll go a month without earning.   Can't do that. 

Wondering how others have dealt with similar situations.  Have any of you driven with an immoblized arm (not down the road, but long distances)?     I suppose I could cab or Uber some places, but some of my destinations are 90 minutes  or more away (one is 3 hours).  I'll be able to Skype a little and do some work from home, but pratically speaking these options won't make much of a dent in getting what I need for the month.   

Well, could be worse and I know I'll survive but just curious what you've done in similar circumstances.  I tend to be a little on the cautious side so when the Dr tells me I shouldn't drive, I really don't want to disregard the order.

Also, if any have had the same injury/surgery, please tell me about your experience.  Thanks.



Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2016, 07:44:22 PM »

Offline Csfan1984

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I drove standard with my left arm in a sling. Wasn't easy.

Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2016, 08:23:04 PM »

Offline beantownboy171

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Last Thursday  -- in my old man basketball game --  I tore my right distal biceps tendon.  It's a complete tear so I need surgery within the next week to repair it.   Apparently, this puts me in a splint for a month. 

They say no driving for a month.   I am self-employed and I drive to many different places, all at least 30 minutes away from home.  My wife works in the opposite direction from where I typically go.  Bottom line is, I'll have to do some driving or I'll go a month without earning.   Can't do that. 

Wondering how others have dealt with similar situations.  Have any of you driven with an immoblized arm (not down the road, but long distances)?     I suppose I could cab or Uber some places, but some of my destinations are 90 minutes  or more away (one is 3 hours).  I'll be able to Skype a little and do some work from home, but pratically speaking these options won't make much of a dent in getting what I need for the month.   

Well, could be worse and I know I'll survive but just curious what you've done in similar circumstances.  I tend to be a little on the cautious side so when the Dr tells me I shouldn't drive, I really don't want to disregard the order.

Also, if any have had the same injury/surgery, please tell me about your experience.  Thanks.
If it's an automatic, I'd say you're fine. If you're driving a standard, it would be nearly impossible to drive w/out your right hand. Especially if you're right handed.

If you drive a standard I'd maybe see if you can swap cars with your wife (if she drives an automatic) or look for an alternative vehicle. I think it'd be really unsafe to drive a standard.

Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2016, 09:07:43 PM »

Offline Eja117

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I assume a bus or subway is not a possibility. Or a bus to a closer location and then uber or walk the rest of the way? The only other things I can come up with is maybe a bike (it's a long bike ride, but if you give yourself a ton of time....it's a good opportunity to get in shape....if it can be done) or maybe if you qualify there is some sort of senior citizen bus thing you need a doctor's note for. I think in some places they call it "The Lift" or some such thing.

Other than that...I don't like the hitchhike thing, however...desperate times = desperate measures.

But I don't see how you get out of this without signifiant difficulty and effort. Unless you have some insurance or something

Maybe plan it out with a team effort. Once a week wife drives. Once a week you drive. Once a week you Uber. Once a week maybe if you're lucky there's a friend going in that direction. And once a week you don't go. That gets you up to 4 days a week.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2016, 09:16:19 PM by eja117 »

Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2016, 09:41:18 PM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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One does what one has to do to survive, I tore mine, it was two months ago and it still is not right.   Mine was not a full tear.   I can lift some with it, not as good as before but not bad, but certain motions and mainly twisting ones kill me and hurt.   I did not miss but one day from work though.  I may break down and see a specialist, sucks not being 100%.Motions did get easier over time but not all of them. 

 I recommend not taking the John Wayne route like I did.   I have my whole life, played a quarter on a broken ankle once, but in the end you pay for being  "tough", some would call this dumb, years later.  Sigh, I never learn.

Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2016, 10:55:21 PM »

Offline Roy H.

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I drove for about a month with my arm in a sling (dislocated shoulder), but it was my non-dominant arm. No major problems, other than using blinkers was not really practical, and sharp turns were a little tricky.


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Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2016, 12:26:43 AM »

Offline kozlodoev

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It's a matter of habit. I mostly drive with one habit -- but I think not being able to put your your second hand of the wheel if needed is dangerous. Also, I have relatively equal use of both of my hands, but I can see how driving with your right hand only can be annoying (having full access to your windshield wipers somehow seems distinctly less important than having access to the blinkers :P).
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Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2016, 02:38:11 AM »

Offline jpotter33

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It would also depend upon the type of driving that you're doing, too, i.e. heavy urban traffic versus rural highway or interstate. I remember in high school some of my buddies and I would drive 30+ miles on the highway or interstate using just our knees to see who could go the longest without using their hands. Of course, we wouldn't even dare to do it in more populated city streets.

I'd be nervous driving in any heavy type of traffic with only one arm, but I'd probably do it if the drive was heavy on highway or interstate miles without too much city or heavy traffic driving.

Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2016, 03:56:34 AM »

Offline Neurotic Guy

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All good advice. Thanks.  Mostly long highway driving so i think I'll try driving the relatively shorter destinations and see how it goes.  Fortunately it's an automatic. Typical driving with one hand doesn't worry me -- it's the unexpected maneuvers that give me pause.  I suspect the impaiment nullifies my insurance so that just makes me want to minimize the driving. 

I wonder if Uber has a full day rate.

Thanks also to those who shared injury experience -- especially celtsforever with the similar surgery -- hearing u didnt miss a day of work probably speaks mostly to your constitution  but gives me some reason to believe that the pain may not last the full week they tell me it will.


Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2016, 10:26:54 AM »

Offline Eja117

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I was thinking of this and tried driving my standard with minimal arm movement. Then at one point I tried like shifting with my left hand, which required getting creative with my feet and legs. At that point the car spirit said to me "Yeah don't do that"

Re: Driving with Arm in a Splint: Biceps Tendon Tear
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2016, 11:06:05 AM »

Offline jambr380

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It would also depend upon the type of driving that you're doing, too, i.e. heavy urban traffic versus rural highway or interstate. I remember in high school some of my buddies and I would drive 30+ miles on the highway or interstate using just our knees to see who could go the longest without using their hands. Of course, we wouldn't even dare to do it in more populated city streets.

I'd be nervous driving in any heavy type of traffic with only one arm, but I'd probably do it if the drive was heavy on highway or interstate miles without too much city or heavy traffic driving.

I am still known by some as the guy who drives with his knees (from people in high school). I would definitely give it a go with one arm and see how you feel. If you can use the hand on your bad arm, then all the better. Obviously if it feels extremely unsafe, then you will need to figure out something different, but you should be okay. At the very least, you will certainly be more focused than usual - just be careful.