car adaptations

dorcas

Hi everyone,
I'm having another driving assessment next week and it looks like they'll be suggesting some kind of steering adaptations?

I have really bad wrists and hands, elbows, rubbish spine and knees.

The assessor said on the phone that we would be looking at a range of possible adaptations after the assessment and mentioned ..ultra light steering, peg, joystick, or floor disc (didn't even know you could steer with your feet!)?

What adaptations do you have to your car?

thanks folks,

Iris x

woodbon

Hello Iris, Sounds like a good idea - I like the sound of ultra light steering, as like you my hands and wrists are getting weak and I can't drive far. I have no addaptions now, but the car does have power steering,which helps. Good luck, let us know how you get on - a snow plough may be an idea!!! Love Sue

skezier

Hi Iris,

I haven't so can't help you I am afraid but wanted to say I rally hope they can help you. Sorry you haven't been well of late and hope your feeling a lot better now? Stay warm Cris x

dorcas

Hi Cris and Sue!
Thanks for your good wishes Cris; I am feeling a lot better after my wee stint in hospital but arther continues his relentless pursuit of my once silky smooth joints!

I think the suggestion of a snow plough is a good one Sue!
I drive a car with power steering already but it's just becoming too painful even with splints on my wrists.
I had a driving assessment in July last year (3mths after having my left wrist fusion) and am now officially only allowed to drive automatics.

The DVLA were terrible to deal with at that time! it was me who contacted them on advice from my surgeon to tell them I'd had the wrist fused and they hounded me after that! their letters are extremely aggressive! After the driving assessment centre 'passed' me as safe to drive, but limited me to automatics, the DVLA were satisfied.

Anyhow the driving assessment centre in Edinburgh peeps were great and when things started to get worse I contacted them again in November; they agreed to see me without another referral. (normally takes 5mths from referral to being seen)

I just don't know anything about steering adaptations and hoped others on the forum would share their experience and knowledge of what it's like and what worked for them!

thanks again! Iris x

jaspercat

Hi, my new motabilty car (when I get it) has power steering, and a ball on the steering wheel, making it easier to steer, I don't have to turn the wheel, as well as that I have hand controls for brakes and clutch, I can't use my feet so I am hoping this will help, it is also an automatic love Jaspercatxx

dorcas

[that sounds great jaspercat! hope it works for you and keeps you on the road.'') iris x

dorcas

thanks delboy!

how's your manflu? ':shock:'hope you are feeling better today ':D'

keep warm and drink plenty (H2O that is!!!) Iris x

woodbon

Hi, I expect adaptations can be like everything in life: strange when you first use them, but once you get used to them, you wonder how you managed without. My ands and wrists get very achy now, and I only feel happy doing short journeys, 10 mins to the local shops, we are in the middle of a very small village, so I have to drive to shop. I used to think nothing of driving for hours, as when we where first married my husband didn't drive, but now, if we go out, he drives. :? I hope you find the car thats right for you. Mine has heated seats, which is lovely!!! I could sit in it all day!
Love Sue

dorcas

woodbon wrote:

Hi, I expect adaptations can be like everything in life: strange when you first use them, but once you get used to them, you wonder how you managed without. My ands and wrists get very achy now, and I only feel happy doing short journeys, 10 mins to the local shops, we are in the middle of a very small village, so I have to drive to shop. I used to think nothing of driving for hours, as when we where first married my husband didn't drive, but now, if we go out, he drives. :? I hope you find the car thats right for you. Mine has heated seats, which is lovely!!! I could sit in it all day!
Love Sue

thanks Sue!

warm seats? what a great idea!! Iris x

wallysatt

I’ve got a steering ball and a handbrake adaption and I also look for cars with electric windows and power steering.

I’m possibly going to have my right wrist fused. How was the operation and do you notice if there is anything you can’t do? I’m worried there will be some things that I will not be able to do anymore.

dorcas

Hi wallysatt! nice to meet you and thanks for the info on steering ball etc.

I had the left wrist fused in April 09 and not for one minute have I regretted having it done. It makes a HUGE difference to pain compared with how it was before the op and the wrist is definitely much stronger too.

I have unfortunately developed another problem requiring another op on that wrist...but it's nothing to do with the fusion!

There are some things you can't do though...picking up small objects for instance... as you don't realise you need to bend the wrist to be able to do that! ...I also have a wee problem with grip but getting hand therapy for that and it is improving.
Sounds daft but you will no longer be able to wave your hand! I now have a very regal queen's wave instead!
You will also find it difficult to manage some of the more personal 'personal care' tasks ':oops:'

I am seeing the orthopaedic surgeon in April again to discuss when to have a total wrist replacement of my right wrist as it's also really bad with arther. Two fused wrists, he tells me would be quite limiting so I have agreed to the Total joint replacement as a better option!

Deciding on ops is always difficult and no doubt there is a trade off ; but as far as I'm concerned it was a 'no brainer' and I am really pleased with the results...why else would I be going through another op?

good luck with the decision and let me know if there's anything else you want to ask or if I can be of any help. Iris x

wallysatt

Thanks so much for your response Iris. I really appreciate it.

It was those personal tasks that I’ve been worried about!
I’m seeing my hand surgeon in March. I’ve spoken to him about a wrist replacement but he said he wasn’t confident it would work for me; he said that there would be a danger or me dislocating it.

I’m 28 and have had arthritis for something like 22 years so this is quite a decision for me. I had my knee replaced in May 2009 and need my other knee doing, both my hips and this wrist surgery so it’s kind what order do I go in? And also do I want to wait and see if they do eventually make a wrist replacement that has a less chance of dislocating?

I have to have 2 operations also, one to remove my ulna and replace it with a metal one and then the fusion. The surgeon said he might be able to do it in one operation but he doesn’t know until he goes inside.

I might start a tread on wrist fusion closer to the appointment time and see if anyone else has anything to add.

Thanks again for your quick response. I will chat over what you have said with my Mum and Dad, although they don’t really know what to say and leave the decisions up to me it’s nice to have them to talk too!

Hope you’re not too cold in the snow.

Sally

dorcas

Hi Sally,
sending you a pm. Iris x

dorcas

delboy wrote:

I bought some heated pads for my car, luvverly.

Manflu still raging Iris, I don't pick up infections often but they do hit me hard when I do.

Like the sound of the heated seat pads delboy! where did you get them?

sorry about the rotten flu!':(' get well soon hugs and tissues!! I mean kisses!! ''Iris x