Question: I am caring for a woman who has an external fixator her with three remaining pins and several wires she is older 85 and is determined to drive her car. Once she was off home health, she decided not to use her walker and does not use a cane unless she goes outside . Being a Private caregiver, I've seen all kinds of scenarios of people feeling like they can just get out and do whatever they want and then we have major repercussions . The fixator was supposed to be on for four months we are at the end of three months, I have spoken to her children and suggested she be more careful, but they think it is great that she is so agile and willing to get back to her active life. There is more drainage around The pins and the wires when she drives or over does, and though I have expressed that it would be better to not drive she continues to do so. If the fixator is to be removed soon, I am trying to find out what aftercare is necessary, I clean the pins daily, with saline solution and find that there is more serum drainage and sometimes slight blood drainage after she has driven her car. I'm trying to find out what to do after the pins removed , I've been doing this for 40 years and every now and then, I'm perplexed. Job security is not my first concern, but if she keeps doing what she's doing I am afraid of the outcome.

Thank you so much for all the information. I'm sorry I was not able to access this reply from you until today. The lady in question is seeing her surgeon today and I have never seen anyone drive with pins and fixator but my concern for her safety and others has been ignored. Sunday she began her second round of anabiotic's because there was much more drainage and some blood and soreness which she has not had before, I pray she has learned her lesson, her son is with her at the doctor today, she is going to tell the doctor she wants to be done with the pins and fixator, we will see how that goes. Again thank you so glad you were there