Doctor, can I drive with this plaster? An evidence based response.
The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of the commonly used below elbow plaster casts on driving ability. The position of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and five motor insurance companies is established. The study aims to help doctors decide whether or not a patient is fit to drive with a plaster cast. Three types of cast were tested using one driver. A score was given for several driving abilities. The right Colles cast was found to have no effect on ability to drive. Scaphoid and Bennett's casts were found to have significant affects on driving ability. The DVLA has no specific guidelines regarding driving with a plaster cast and the position of insurance companies is variable, but will usually depend upon medical advice.
Blair
Stephen
S
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, Eaglesham Road, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire G758RG, UK. blair_stephen@hotmail.com
Chaudhri
Omar
O
Gregori
Alberto
A
D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000592:standards*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D012606:Scotland