United States Department of Transportation
i
Driving After Distal Radius Fractures
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2017-06-06
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[PDF-503.82 KB]
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TRIS Online Accession Number:01642604
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Abstract:Distal radius fractures (DRF) are a common orthopaedic injury, affecting over 640,000 people per year in the United States, and may account for 2.5% of emergency department visits. The treatment for DRF may be operative or non-operative, but both treatment options require a period of immobilization to allow healing. Pain, stiffness, and weakness are invariably present after this fracture and typically improve gradually over time. One of the most common questions orthopedic surgeons are asked following a DRF is, “When can I drive?” Survey studies of physicians across multiple countries show a lack of standardization regarding recommendations, with little agreement regarding either criteria or timeframe for return to driving. The pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of DRF on safety of roadway users, particularly drivers in passenger vehicles, and provide valuable information to physicians in counseling their patients on return to safe driving. Subjects were evaluated at 2, 6, and 12 weeks post operatively. At post-op visits clinical data were obtained. These data included demographics (sex, age, hand dominance, laterality of DRF), splint usage, narcotic usage, and range of motion. The driving simulation portion of the study occurred within 1 week of the post-operative clinic visits. The driving simulation used the miniSim research driving simulator. Each testing visit consisted of two separate driving scenarios preceded by a 5-minute practice drive. The first driving scenario included urban and rural driving environments that include curves and 90 degree turns. Some oncoming traffic was present, however, no traffic or pedestrian required the patient to change position or speed to avoid a crash. The second experimental drive involved a crash-imminent situation in which the driver had to rapidly change direction of travel to effectively respond to the event and avoid a crash.
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