Posted on February 21, 2008 in Latest News
For most people, driving is a pleasurable activity and signifies freedom and makes a good stress buster. However, for people with arthritis, driving itself might become a great stress. Having arthritis can make your joints swollen and stiff, which can limit how far you can bend or move your shoulders, hands, head and neck.
This can make it harder to grasp or turn the steering wheel, apply the brake and gas pedals, put on your safety belt or look over your shoulder to check your blind spot. As a result, arthritis can make it harder for you to drive safely. If arthritis affects your hips, knees, ankles or feet, you also may have difficulty getting in and out of your car.
Does arthritis affect driving?
Most people can drive safely with arthritis. It depends on which joints are affected, and how well you and your doctor are able to manage your condition. Your doctor cares about your health and safety, and will work with you and your loved ones to manage your care.
Arthritis can limit your movement and strength, so try to stay fit and active. Doing so will help you to keep driving safely. If you use medicine to treat your arthritis, make sure it doesn’t make you sleepy. Ask your doctor about other treatments that can help with your pain, swelling, and soreness – treatments that will not make it difficult to drive safely.
How can you be more comfortable?
You can do the following to your car so that it is well adjusted to meet the requirements of your condition:
- ensure you have a supportive headrest;
- adjust the height of the seat;
- adjust the seat belt fixing;
- add a padded cover or even;
- add a knob to the steering wheel;
- ensure that you have one mirror on either side of the car install a swivelling seat;
- install a wheel chair hoist.
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