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Driving following knee replacement

Posted , 6 users are following.

Caitibean
Caitibean

Hi,

I'm 7 weeks post patellofemoral knee joint replacement and wondering about people's experiences with driving: when did you start drivibg again and how was it? I'd like to try but worried I'm not ready. Progress for me had been impeded by thigh pain due to the tourniquet but things are improving now. When not swollen, I can bend my knee to 120+ and am just a couple of degrees off a straight leg. However, my knee still feels rather unstable and tends to wobble / buckle when I walk. I also get the odd sudden sharp pain on the inner side of my knee and 'twangs' below my knee on either side. I don't want to put myself or others at risk by driving too soon. Thoughts?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Pepperpot68
    Pepperpot68 Caitibean

    Posted

    Hi I'm nearly 10 week post op and like you I worried about returning to driving.. I have 0 flexion but only 90-95 bend.. I started driving again around week7 but only very short journeys and made sure I had someone with me who could swap if it got to painful which I found as having to keep knee in bent position. Would do it one day then leave it few days before trying again.. Have managed to drive into town (about 8 miles) and back a couple of times.. Haven't tried anything longer yet as knee becomes sore.. So my advice is only do it if you feel ready.. Good luck. X

    • Caitibean
      Caitibean Pepperpot68

      Posted

      Thanks. It's the sudden very sharp pains that worry me. If I have that when driving it could be a bit dangerous. I'll give it another week until I see the physio and see what she says.

  • karen14697
    karen14697 Caitibean

    Posted

    i was told i could drive when i stopped taking pain meds I was driving this time at 5 weeks! GOOD LUCK TO YOU

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Caitibean

    Posted

    Try #3...it will straighten your leg out...guaranteed...

    ROM Work

    At 120+, you should have zero problem getting your foot from gas to brake. The only caution is not to drive if you are still taking opioid pain killers. That's a BIG no-no. Other than that, drive away!!!

    At 7 weeks, you will feel all sorts of pain as your recovery progresses but any instability issues should be brought to the attention of your surgeon immediately. While some weakness in the area is consistent with the surgery since all the surrounding musculature is weak and has to be rebuilt over time, true wobbling is not normal. Get that checked out. If you're OK, start the muscle rebuild exercise program.

    • Caitibean
      Caitibean CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks. I am doing exercise #3 as I type this into my phone! Actually I used gravity to help with my bend too. I lay on my back with my legs in the air then bent my knees and just let them hang but stopped when it became painful. I don't know if you are supposed to do this but I increased my ROM by several degrees in a week by doing this so it has worked for me.

      Thanks for all your posts and replies - they have been really helpful to me over the past 7 weeks!

  • Brendastar
    Brendastar Caitibean

    Posted

    I was able to drive after my two week follow up with my doctor. I am three weeks out today. I was aggressive in my exercises so that may have helped my overall ability to drive. Exercises hurt like hell but keep pushing or there will be very slow progress. I walk, exercise and ice all day. I ice all night as well, so not much swelling, although some in afternoon.

    You can probably go in the pool now, which is a great way to advance.

    • karen14697
      karen14697 Brendastar

      Posted

      I would caution about the pool until week 5 It's better to be cautious, unless its your own pool. We have a public pool which gets shut down because of babies soiling their diapers. I am at 6 weeks & I'm still not sure I should go in

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX karen14697

      Posted

      Rehab work in a pool is THE BEST...however...

      You need to get clearance from your doc. After reading thousands of posts, I've heard patients report their docs telling them to avoid submersing the knee anywhere from 2-8 weeks...mine told me six. The discrepancy? Not a damn clue. Just use the number your doc gives you.

    • Caitibean
      Caitibean karen14697

      Posted

      Yes, I still have a tiny area on my incision which is not quite fully healed and I'm not going near a pool until that's done, as the last thing I need now is an infection. Looking forward to being able to get in the pool though.

  • ann18637
    ann18637 Caitibean

    Posted

    Hi I started driving after 8 weeks all you are experiencing is normal. My thigh was tender for the first 6 weeks too and sharp twinges are normal. It's the nerves starting to repair themselves. Good luck

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