Healing Advice!?!?!

My mother has sustained a bad trimalleolar fracture in her left ankle last week. It was a bad break needing the ankle to be re-set and a reconstruction surgery which she now has a plate with 7 screws on one side and about 4 long pins with a tension band on the other side. I am with her currently in Kentucky but will be heading home in a few days to Pennsylvania. She is instructed no weight bearing at all for 8 weeks post-op and the rehab will go from there based on her strength. She drives a Mustang V8 5 speed, and we are thinking of her taking my small crossover SUV jeep patriot, which is automatic. I am worried about how long it will take her to drive, and use a clutch in her mustang, if she will be able to use the clutch ever again... looking for some advice about her driving again and using a clutch when all is said and done. If it seems that using a clutch in her mustang will be a prolonged issue, we may switch vehicles. Any input is appreciated as I am only here with her until Sunday.

Thank You Last edit by JLaubach93 on May 23, '12
Bummer! Maybe hold off a little as she cannot weight bear, it wil be some time before she is driving. That said, if some one is going to be helping her, they may need to use her car and if they don't have a manual, driving one may be an issue. Once she is, maybe PT or OT can help decide what works best for her. Do you think she will be complient with the no weight bearing? Not sure I could trust my mom! LOL!Good Luck!

Sadly we can't give medical advice here, but I am sure her doctor or physical therapist can answer this for you. I hope she feels better soon!

I don't think that anyone can answer that question at this point, as rehab won't even begin until she is weight-bearing 8 weeks from now.

So sorry to hear of your mom's injury; hope she heals quickly.Unfortunately, your questions are best answered by her health care professional, and the Terms of Service will not allow anyone on the site to give medical advice.Thanks for thinking of us, though, and again I wish your mom all the best.Thread closed.