Driving

I heard the same because of the reaction time from throttle to the brake

I am pondering buying a twist and go scooter that way your hands control everything

usually, You must feel safe and able to do an emergency stop without thinking about your operated leg

Having contacted my insurance company as I thought I could drive earlier as I have an Automatic, their reply was :- If your doctor says you can drive then it's OK, if not NO.

I did ask my consultant the question also appraising him of my vehicle, -was not interested - 6 weeks.!!

Hi Cazy,

I started after 6 weeks. Also you must be able to do an emergency stop.

Petra

HI,

I got the OK to drive from my surgeon after 4 weeks. My car was an automatic which helps.

Charles

It depends on lots of variables - which leg was operated on, how your leg feels, whether you drive an automatic or manual and last but not least, what your surgeon says.

For my first hip - right one - (badly damaged and awful recovery), I didn't drive for at least 8 weeks in a manual car.

For my second hip - left hip - (really good, speedy recovery), I was driving an automatic at 3 weeks (as agreed with my surgeon).

Whatever your circumstances, remember to be safe on the road - for everyone's sake .

I asked the same question but got confusing answers. I advised my insurance company about my THR - they thanked me very much but said nothing. The nurse said it was ok if I could do an emergency stop. I have yet to ask my surgeon. So I am confused as nobody has any information that I can or cannot drive. With this in mind I started driving again after about four weeks - to the clinic to get my stitches removed. For the record - I live in England and drive a manual

It appears that the answer to most questions is 6 weeks. Same for women after cesarean, 6 weeks! Particularly manual cars. Automatic may be sooner but it always depends on consultant say so and as previously stated, you need to prove you can do an emergency stop, which my consultant made me do against his hands!! It's a pain not driving as you want to vet out, but you also feel the pressure of the seats (model depending) against the scar, right leg especially.

This is how I understand it.

You can drive after six weeks if you can do an emergency stop safely, after an elective hip replacement.

In my case, it was trauma that resulted in my hip replacement. Therefore, I had to wait until my follow up appointment in order to ask the consultant if he was happy for me to drive, after eight weeks. He was.

I was told 6 weeks, it was ok for me because I'm in London and it was easy to get around on public transport on my crutches, and also it was summer.

As others have said, it depends on the proceedure, which leg, and whether your car is automatic. Some people drive much sooner.

Good luck and stay safe!

I was told 6 weeks for a manual car which of course is when you are out of hip precautions. I think it was earlier if you drive an automatic and are able to do an emergency stop. In this case you also have to consider if you are able to get in and out of the car without breaking the 90 ° rule.

Have you asked your doctor? If he said six weeks your insurance would probably not be valid if you started driving earlier.

My doc said I technically could at 4 weeks, but insurance here in Canada says 6 weeks. It felt like forever!

i was driving at 5 weeks. had my right

hip replaced so maybe more important you make sure you're ok to drive as you need to be able

to accelerate and brake with that leg/foot!

also, getting in and out of the car from the driver side proved a little more painful than from the passenger side, you have to swivel round with both legs together.

good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine!

Pat x

I have an automatic and my operation was on my left hip (I'm in the UK). I was told I could drive safely as soon as I was no longer taking any painkillers and did not need a crutch to walk. Check with your insurance company though.