Left total shoulder replacement: Why can't I drive for 6 weeks?

Good morning and a big welcome to Connect, @car54. Happy Valentines Day. Thank you for joining our active and informative community of patients, caregivers, family, and providers. We are not medically trained, just medically involved and anxious to learn. I have had 4 shoulder surgeries. Two required that big hunky sling. I, like you, asked the question...why can't I drive?

Unlike you, I did drive off the mountain and down to the gas station. Everything was going well until I went to leave and turned the corner too tight because of only one hand.....smashed the gas pump barrier and short of smashed my bumper as well.

That was enough....now I understand. You may want to read the driver's manual to find out what the fine is for being observed driving with a sling.

When was your replacement? How is rehab going? Are you left-handed? May you have peace and ease today. Chris

I haven't had it yet. It suppose to be on May 20th. A couple of weeks after that date my grandson might be working a year in Mexico which is a 1500 mile trip. If I can't drive I'll at least be a passenger, he is only 24 years old. I am on a cancellation waiting list and hopefully they can move it up. I'll check driving with a sling laws. How was your shoulder after the accident? I am left handed so that would make it easier. Thanks for your reply.

I have had 2 rotator cuff surgeries on my right shoulder. And I was able to drive within 3 weeks.
I am having a reverse total shoulder procedure done this summer and my ortho surgeon claimed recovery was much easier!
Best of luck to you and let us know how you are!

Hi there @car54. So...you have a surgery coming up May 20 and need to get back on the road again. That time, mine surgery was a reverse replacement on the right shoulder. Because of the immobilizer, I think the pain was quantifiably less than the series of rotator cuffs and cadaver grafts. Shoulder didn't suffer, my bumper did.

A good followup to check the driving with sling laws. Will you be in CA?
Be healthy and at ease today. Chris

No I wont be in CA. It would be a trip from Auburn, Alabama to Aguascalientes, Mexico. As much as I would not want to delay the surgery it might be best to put it off for a couple of weeks. Its a long trip and it would definitely be safer with 2 arms.

I rescheduled the surgery for June 17th. That's a 4 month wait, not what I wanted. I just want to make sure my grandson gets there safe. He has a tendency to push himself to hard when it comes to driving. If I am with him I can share the driving and because I am older I'll make sure he gets walking breaks because for my sake I will need them.

Because the ortho knows best! After my first shoulder replacement, I made a mistake shortly after driving was allowed. I parked, and something fell off the passenger seat onto the floor. I reached across the mid-section to retrieve it from the floor because I COULD and because IT DIDNT HURT TO DO SO. BIG MISTAKE. Eventually I developed a click in the shoulder (crepitus) which eventually turned into a crunch after a few months. Then I had an “earthquake” when the ball came out of joint. Complete redo of surgery. Be patient! You never know how you could have an innocent issue turn into a major one.

Bassslakebabe19, That had to be real disappointing but it is good for me to know that because generally I do push it.
I got a call from the surgeons office. They had a cancellation and the surgery was moved up to March 18. That will give me 2 1/2 months of healing before I help my grandson out with his driving. I will report the outcome of the surgery later. Praise God!

@car54 I haven't had shoulder syrgery, but numerous knee, hand, wrist and thumb procedures and total hip replacements. I reluctantly followed the surgeon's advice after the therapist asked me "How would you feel if you were unable to react quickly enough to an emergency and injured someone else?" I decided that I didn't want to take that risk, and haven't driven against medical advice since. Sue

Reverse is easier but takes much longer to heal, reaching your potential in strength and range of motion. My surgeon says it’s about 3 years.