10 Driving Tips for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Some people with hand and wrist疼痛might benefit from a steering wheel cover so they don’t have to grip the wheel as tightly, says Elin Schold-Davis, registered and licensed occupational therapist and certified driver rehabilitation specialist, who is the project coordinator for the较旧的司机倡议的美国职业治疗协会（AOTA）在马里兰州贝塞斯达。您可以使用泡沫胶带购买盖子或垫子。一些封面具有加热功能，可以帮助放松关节并减少不适。

有些车型也有一个heated steering wheelalready installed. Also, the steering wheel is adjustable on most cars today. If you move yours to get into your car, make sure you move it back to a comfortable position before you drive, Schold-Davis advises.

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驾驶员康复专家（您可以找到您附近的一个AOTA网站) can suggest assistive devices and modifications to your car that will fit your individual driving needs withRA, Schold-Davis says. “The number of equipment modifications that can be made to your car is astounding,” she explains. For example, if you have shoulder pain, you can have the turn signal moved to the side that doesn’t hurt, she adds. You can also have your seat modified to turn out and lower down, so getting in or out is much easier. Admittedly, that is an expensive proposition. You can also put a plastic bag, silk scarf, or a seat slide on the seat so you can sit and turn. "Line the seat of your car with a plastic trash bag — it makes sliding in and out A LOT easier," says Dr. JB Kirby, 52, as shared onTippi Ra.. (Remember to move it before you begin to drive so you don’t slip while you are traveling.) Leather seats can also make sliding in or out easier.

如果你有颈部疼痛使用RA，调整镜子非常重要，以便您有广泛field of vision. This way, you won’t need to move your head around as much, according to the Department of Agriculture“driving ergonomics” program对于代理员工。抬起座位，以便您可以看到窗户和仪表板上的舒适。

如果你有一个盲点，那么许多新车现在都有盲点探测器这将通过音频发出信号，如果有人过于接近，那么直观。备用相机还将减少您必须转动颈部的金额。如果你的汽车不带一个，你可以安装one.

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如果你的脚和脚踝僵硬，向前移动你的座椅，所以你用整个脚将踏板推着，而不仅仅是你的脚趾。此外，确保座椅处于高度，让您可以控制踏板而不会对脚和脚踝处的压力或压力。如果您的汽车有它，自适应巡航控制会自动调整高速公路的速度，以维持距离前方车的安全距离。它还减轻了担心不适和疲劳，从长时间推动踏板。

非甾体类抗炎药（NSAID）can help reduce the pain and stiffness of RA, but somensaids.have a short half-life, meaning the body can absorb or use the drug fairly quickly. “If you take medications that have a short half-life, take them before you get in the car for a trip,” says Vinicius Domingues, MD, a风湿病学家在Daytona Beach，佛罗里达州的私人实践和数字关节炎群体的医疗顾问CreakyJoints.

Should any of your medication make you sleepy, don’t take it before driving, the Department of Transportation warns.

To ease the pain in your lower back when you drive, use pillows or a rolled-up towel to support it, Dr. Domingues suggests. Heated seats can also be helpful, he says. The heat canrelieve joint pain并帮助保持关节灵活，特别是那些像背部和臀部的大型身体部位那些。如果您的汽车无法配备加热座椅，您可能希望在开始旅程之前将热量施加到您的关节或安装之前加热座椅盖.

“When I travel, I always bring pillows and a blanket. If possible, driving with heated seats is a huge help," says Christina, who has RA, as shared onTippi Ra..

疲劳是ra的另一个标志。根据research published in关节炎护理与研究. So plan on driving around your fatigue, Schold-Davis advises. “If you’re better midday, then that’s when you should drive to appointments and shopping,” she says. “If something comes up and it’s 5 p.m. and you’re exhausted and out of energy, don’t get behind the wheel.” If you can’t call a friend or spouse to drive you or you don’t have access to a ride share such asUber要么李技, reschedule.

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保持一茎in the car, and use it to get in and out of the car. Park close to the entrance of wherever you go, especially if you have to walk a lot once inside, like at the grocery store. Check with the机动车部in your state to see if you qualify for a handicapped-parking placard for your car

Domingues说，不要开车太久，因为你的关节可能会变得紧绷而僵硬。计划每两小时至少一次休息一次。停止并伸展那些严重或疲倦的身体的区域。给自己额外的旅行时间，所以如果需要，有时间停止和休息。

Driving requires quick response and quick action, Schold-Davis says, “[so] you have to know yourself.” If you can’t drive safely because pain may prevent you from responding quickly, it may be time to hang up the car keys. This could be temporary, until you’re feeling better, or permanent.

To make the transition easier, she adds, have a backup plan for how you will get to where you need to go on days when driving just isn’t an option.GoGo Grandparent安排乘坐与乳房或Lyft没有使用smartphone, with rides monitored by 24/7 operators and alerts for families. (Check what services it offers in your area.)

Schold-Davis表示，“是您自己的局限性的好管家”。当你避免进入事故时，你将越来越健康。“

Additional reporting byBeth W. Orenstein