Broken wrist while traveling with the Elise

[JnC]

Hi all. i'm in fort destin fl on vacation. I slipped on a wet floor and broke my left wrist. i'm scheduled for orthopedic surgery on thursday june 4. my original departure time was to be sat morning, june 6.

i'm vacationing alone but the property manager has been helpful with transporting me to med care today.

I'm trying to figure out what my options are with the elise. i doubt if i can drive it after surgery. should i store it, transport it, recruit a volunteer to drive it? i think i can line up alternative transport for myself.

[Mr. Know]

Ouch!! I feel your pain!
However, you should be able to drive. If it was your right wrist, you'd have problems shifting.
Although, the person or business responsible for the wet floor may be liable to ship your car for you via a shipper of your choice.

[JnC]

thx for the condolences. i would be driving from ft walton to charlotte nc. i think once im in the car i should be ok. but i usually rely on my left arm to pivot in and out of the car, and if i drive i wont have access to pain meds.

i'm supposed to get pins/plates. not certain what my mobility would be afterwards.

[Rainier]

Originally Posted by JnC

not certain what my mobility would be afterwards.

Sorry to hear that.

Turning the wheel will need flexibilility at the wrist and I bet that after surgery you won't get much use out of it for two to three weeks at least.

[XHILR8N!]

Traveling that far in this car after that surgery sounds like the stuff of legends. Unless you are some matinee hero you will probably be really interested in narcotics for a bit. Rambo should have no problems.
I hope I'm wrong, but a plan B could be a good idea.
If you do make it, pictures and video please.

[RoadDad]

Fly me down, get all doped up on your pain meds and I'll drive you home (as long as it doesn't conflict with my upcoming vacation plans).

[JnC]

hmm i could offer someone(s) free lodging. i've got a spare queen sleeper and two bunks, paid for until saturday.

Destin Florida Beach Vacation Rentals : Destin West Beach & Bay Resort on Okaloosa Island Florida

it likely would have to be for folks near charlotte though. spur of the moment airfare is steep... i'd likely just put it into a storage shed, then fly down myself when healed

[ruggedbert]

I had 3 pins holding my right hand together (bar room fracture), and I was able to drive my elise just fine. It took time getting used to shifting with the left hand!

[RoadDad]

I'm not far from Charlotte and would seriously drive you home.

[JnC]

Originally Posted by RoadDad

I'm not far from Charlotte and would seriously drive you home.

PM sent!

[JnC]

I should mention that ft walton to charlotte is a 10 hour haul, not including rest/refuel stops. It's not that important i get the car home immediately... not going to be able to drive it anyhow. so i may just store it here

[RoadDad]

. I've operated on necks for longer than that. Let me know if you change your mind.

[IamBatman]

put a hook on the cast and drive yourself home like a man

[RacyTracy]

Oh no!! Sorry Jared.

[Dragon]

I'd go with the RoadDad option, but I'd think you'd be ok once your on the interstate in 6th gear. Maybe do 5 hrs and hit a cheap hotel and dope up then finish the rest of the trip the next day. You might want to wait a day or two after the surgery before you roll out if you drive yourself. That will let the swelling will go down and allow your body to adjust to the new cyborg implants so you won't be in as much pain with out the meds.

[NOLA911]

It may hurt to get into gear, but once you hit the hwy, you are good to go. Give yourself lots of distance and you probably wont need to shift out of 5 or 6 very often. I really dont think you will have a problem.

If you do have a problem, leave the car in destin and plan another vacation in a couple weeks.. sounds like a win/win. I will be there for july 4th and/or 1st weekend in august and can help navigate the car to the interstate.

Personally, I would take the gentleman above's offer to help you with the transport. Seems like the best and safest option to me.

[JnC]

driving isnt as bad as getting in/out of the car. i'm 200# and use my left hand on the sill. maybe if i just try to flag someone for those moments. just dont want to reinjure the wrist. aside from getting in/out of the car, i think i'd be ok. i'd have a couple of days after surgery to medicate if needed. i have meds but they only make me loopy

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by JnC

driving isnt as bad as getting in/out of the car. i'm 200# and use my left hand on the sill. maybe if i just try to flag someone for those moments. just dont want to reinjure the wrist. aside from getting in/out of the car, i think i'd be ok. i'd have a couple of days after surgery to medicate if needed. i have meds but they only make me loopy

Fall in and roll out... No need to look cool doing it..

You could also have a friend fly down from your area and drive it back or maybe get a couple of them to drive down and then have one of them drive it back.

loopy like the cat in your avitar?

[Moto44]

Thank goodness this didn't happen any earlier and upset your ability to participate at LOG - where, by the way, we had a great time hanging out with you.

[agirls]

How long does it take to get the roof off? It would be easier to get in and out w/o the roof. An option if you have someone else driving you who could do it for you, but it sounds like you already said no to that.