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Driving after TKR

Posted , 10 users are following.

david13856
david13856

Because this forum has mixed nationalities it has produced some interesting debates especially when it comes to PO recovery, so I was wondering if US guidelines are similar to those the UK when it comes to getting behind the wheel after surgery.

I've not checked with my insurance company yet but I was told by my PT vehicle insurance automatically stops for a period of 6 weeks, after which it is up to me to decide  if  I'm fit to drive.

When I read some of the posts on here it makes me wonder if this is the best way of going about what is after all a serious decision.

I would have thought a doctors approval giving you the green light would be a minimum requirement, what do you think?

    

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX david13856

    Posted

    The first, and most important, requirement is that you are to be off ALL your narcotic pain meds.  Period.  You do not drive while you are on opioids.  If you get into an accident, you might as well kiss your license goodbye.

    Getting back to driving also depends on which knee was done and whether you drive stick or automatic.  Needless to say, pushing down hard on a clutch with the TKR leg will be a showstopper for a while.  For an automatic, you will still need the strength to push hard on the brake.  So driving again really comes down to ROM and strength...you have to bend the knee to shift it from gas to brake plus the strength to push it and hold it down.

    Your PT and doc can guide you on this.  If not, I'd get on the passenger side of your car and have a friend drive you to a big, empty parking lot.  Then switch seats and practice...for a while.  Move the knee, press down hard...repeat...repeat...repeat...  Later that night, notice if you have any knee swelling.  Yes?  Too soon.  Of course, if you have trouble driving in the empty parking lot (especially moving your foot from gas to brake quickly), then it's obviously too soon.

  • Supertractorman
    Supertractorman david13856

    Posted

    Am in UK and not had op yet, but asked surgeon about it as it is left knee and I have an automatic. He told me to contact my insurer after op and they would make the decision and as it is an automatic it would be a lot quicker than a manual.
  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 david13856

    Posted

    Hi I drove after two weeks with both my knees, with the  knowledge of my consultant surgeon.

    I'm in the UK and have an automatic.

    • david13856
      david13856 Laura3333

      Posted

      Hi Laura

      Am I reading your post correctly?, After only two weeks having had TKRs on both knees you were driving.

      Wow! at two weeks PO on just one knee with a 90 degree bend and walking without support I thought I was doing pretty well but driving didn't even come into the equation.

      Even the pain was bearable but no way was I ready to drive on a highway.

      Driving an automatic on private land such as a farm dodging the odd cow or sheep maybe, but I'd draw the line at that .

      May I ask what kind of surgery did you have on your knees? 

    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 david13856

      Posted

      Drove after two weeks to physio, both times, -- I had my knees done separately. TKR both times.

      I felt in control of my car, was walking without support indoors and outdoors for short distances, had got on top of my range of movement. The hardest bit both times was actually getting in and out of the car, took way more than a 90% bend in my car.

      I live in the countryside so plenty of sheep and cows, but took the main roads.

      Even the physio was surprised when I walked in, said she couldn't tell if I was the patient or not. Maybe I was lucky, or just cope well with pain.

  • Guest
    Guest david13856

    Posted

    In US. Drove automatic at 3 weeks with bilateral PKR. US doesn't have insurance restrictions like UK. Doc and PT can give you guidelines but its up to you. Bone remodeling takes 6 wks on average, hence the "6 wk" restriction. Swelling slows most everyone down and fear slows them down more. Safety on the road should be your main concern. You dont want to kill someone else...if you are not safe. So practice and see. There are a lot of chronic pain users and the meds they take dont stop them from functioning.

    :D

  • ellen57898
    ellen57898 david13856

    Posted

    I just had my one year anniversary. TKR right knee.  I remember asking about driving to my doctor and PT. I could not drive for nine weeks. I was still on pain meds and stomping down on a brake was out of the question. So I exercised as much as I could, stopped opioids and walked. When I walked too much, I swelled up.  My PT lasted 12 weeks.  Some of us drive at three weeks or less (although I have no idea how that is possible).  In the end, you will drive when you can stomp the brake painlessly.  Take Chico’s advice. I had no insurance issue in US.

    keep us informed.

    Ellie

  • wendy24221
    wendy24221 david13856

    Posted

    I had left TKR and drive a manual car.  It was many months before I felt really confident driving again.  To start with I went on short journeys when I knew the roads would be quieter.  As I live in a busy area, my biggest problem was the amount of clutch control needed when stuck in long queues of stop/go traffic.  I guess we all recover at different speeds and only you know when you feel safe and in control.

     

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 david13856

    Posted

    There are some viable reasons for this. Being on pain meds is high on the list. Doing serious damage in an accident is another. As far as the insurance restriction, that's a UK thing. I've never heard of a company in the US with that caveat.

  • Shelley53
    Shelley53 david13856

    Posted

    Hi David, 

    im in Canada so I'm sure we should be quite similar.  I was told by my Surgeon after 6 weeks I was good to drive again... My bend and straightening and reaction was where it needed to be.  I'm sure I could of drove at 4 weeks but was not taking any chance until I had the approval from my surgeon.  I hope this is what you were looking for!!!   Have a Happy New Year!!

  • kathylake
    kathylake david13856

    Posted

    I was physically ready to drive at two weeks. sat with pt in car and given the ok. Choose to wait until I was off the pain killers, about  three weeks later. But everyone is different listen to your body. My first trip was around the block. After that trip I waited another week or so  because i didn't have the confidence.

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