Driving

I live in the US. I was told by my doctor's office that if you can walk with a cane or with one crutch and are not on narcotics, you can drive your car. I started driving last week at 4 weeks post tkr but I also have an automatic transmission. My tkr is my right knee but I did not have any trouble driving.

I'm UK and HGV driver as well, 6 weeks is standard on manual 4 weeks auto. I'm 7 weeks left TKR but depending on what pain relief you are on you WILL have to inform DVLA, I'm on Tramadol which I have been informed that you can't drive whilst on them. My company have been great, I'm in the office on light duties and will be for a while.

You might find it hard climbing in and out of the lorry and driving anything over 1hr gets quite uncomfortable, I'm driving my car but wouldn't even try climbing in the lorry yet..

as stated, i think the biggest hurdle is climbing in and out. at post 7 months, it is still an effort. my clutch knee was operated on and i think i was able to drive after about 3 or 4 weeks. 

I think you will have to wait 6 weeks,ish give or take. I have an auto and had a TKR on my left knee two weeks ago so don’t need my left leg. I can get in the car okand bend my knee sufficiently and would I’m sure be able to drive competently but until I’m signed off by the consultant it’s not wort the risk.enjoy your time off work don’t rush things. Your appointment must be imminent now 

good luck

Barrie

I'm 6 months post TKR , I'm in the UK, I started driving after 3 1/2 months as the doctor said you can't drive on strong pain meds also you need to be able to do an emergency stop comfortably. Xx

I'm 6 months post TKR , I'm in the UK, I started driving after 3 1/2 months as the doctor said you can't drive on strong pain meds also you need to be able to do an emergency stop comfortably. Xx

I had to wait 6 weeks!! Otherwise it voids your insurance.

Hi xpat

Im in Australia and I was told 6 weeks is the norm because of insurance reasons too.  I had bilateral tkr’s and drove to the 6 week post op hospital appointment with the Surgeon and thank goodness he said I could go back to driving lol.  I have automatic car.  By the sounds of it, different rules for different countries.  I’d abide by yours.

Sooooooo good to get back behind the wheel😁

Sue

You will find driving is quite painful , I found about 8 wks on r knee with an auto car and that angle of holding g leg when driving did make it hurt 

Thanks for your replies much appreciated, I do miss driving and the independence but I'm also on Tramadol at the minute so won't risk anything.

Hi xpatx,

I hold a PCV entitlement to my licence and have a manual car. My right knee was operated on, partial knee replacement in early Nov 2015. I am in Cornwall, UK.

The short answer, for insurance reasons, as you say, is 8 weeks. For me with a regime of 5 different sets of exercises daily I was happy at 8 weeks, but I was back at work driving a manual bus at 11 weeks. To be honest I wasn't really ready to drive my car before 8 weeks anyway. This coincided with my surgeons first post review anyway and he gave me the OK.

I can't remember that I notified DVLA though. I am not sure its a 'notifiable condition' ???? But hey, its a long time ago, just can't remember. I've just had left eye cataract surgery and did HAVE to notify DVLA. Just waiting for the OK to drive again now. I was on pain relief but by the 8 week stage was pretty much weaned off the stuff - I was on Co-Codomol 30/500 only - that's prescription strength - but not overly powerful like Tramadol. Interestingly, I abandoned Tramadol in hospital - didn't work. The only thing the worked for me was Co-Codomol - thinking about it too, in hospital they even tried me on liquid morphine - no good either. By the 6  to 8 week stage I was only using the Co-Codomol as a pill in the pocket, taking it when needed.

Good luck, hope that helps.