1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Knee Problems

Is driving at 6 weeks easy after Tkr ?

Posted , 6 users are following.

eileen15268
eileen15268

How easy is it to drive a manual car after a Tkr. The pre class told us we could drive after 6 weeks. I'm only 5 weeks post op but wondering if I would be able to drive after 6 weeks. I don't feel up to it yet. Eileen

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • dorothy97700
    dorothy97700 eileen15268

    Posted

    Hello Eileen - I am now 10 weeks post tkr.  I started driving at 7 weeks with no problems at all.  In fact the surgeon indicated when I had a follow up appointment at just over 5 weeks that he thought the knee/leg was strong enough to try driving but, like you, I thought it was a bit soon.  I left it another two weeks and was pleasantly surprised to find that I had no problems.  This is my right knee.  However, two years ago I had my left knee replaced and found that it was ten weeks before I could feel comfortable driving again.  Maybe using the strong clutch pedal was more difficult at that time.  As everybody says on this site, we are all different and heal at our own pace.  I am a 72 year old female living  in Manchester UK.  Another incentive for me to start driving again was the fact that my husband has Parkinson's Disease and,, although he is stlll able to drive, he keeps it to a minimum and he was very relieved when we found that I could drive again with no difficulty. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Dorothy

    • eileen15268
      eileen15268 dorothy97700

      Posted

      Hello Dorothy, thanks for replying. Seems we're in similar situations, I am 78 & in my 5th week Tkr op. My husband is 84 had a stroke years ago. He drives up the road to get his paper & if he goes anywhere else he often gets lost coming home.also he has a Mini Cooper which is impossible for me to get in even though I'm not 8 stone, my knee won't bend that much.i feel now I'm coming out the other side of the brutal surgery & getting @ the house more. I have a Micra which I'm sure I could get in but think I'll have to wait at least til next week . Mine is the right knee, damaged by an injury, I think you're right it will be easier as the clutch is a harder pedal to push on. We live in Farnborough, Hants. Best wishes, looking upwards & onwards x

    • dorothy97700
      dorothy97700 eileen15268

      Posted

      Hello Eileen - just find somewhere quiet to practise driving for the first time.  I went to a local trading estate and practised driving, reversing, etc, until I realised that my knee was not causing any problems and then I drove home. It is a good feeling to have your independence back.  Not the end of the world, I know, if you cannot drive.  We are lucky - plenty of local public transport in the Manchester area and there are always taxis! x
    • eileen15268
      eileen15268 dorothy97700

      Posted

      Good idea to drive around somewhere quiet which isn't difficult around here where we live, as it is extremely quiet, before I go off to town & the like. I've driven since my teens & can't imagine not being able to, I'm so independent. I will give it till the end of next week (6 weeks) ooh I'm quite excited. My knee is still stiff & I still haven't had a night's sleep since op but it IS getting easier & I do sleep a couple hours at a time now. Take care

    • dorothy97700
      dorothy97700 eileen15268

      Posted

      Yes, the sleep problem is common to everybody.  Just to give you hope - my continuous sleep periods have now gone to four hours (10 weeks after knee operation).  The achy, restless, feeling went a couple of weeks ago and it is now just coping with the stiffness when I awake - I just give it a good stretch and move around generally and then go back to sleep  - most of the time! 
    • eileen15268
      eileen15268 dorothy97700

      Posted

      Is great to hear your progress Dorothy, it gives me hope that soon I'll be sleeping for longer than an hour or so at night. When did you start taking less painkillers? I can cope with mine during the day it's just at night it seems to be worse . It's great you're getting back to normal. Well done ? I can't wait

    • dorothy97700
      dorothy97700 eileen15268

      Posted

      I probably finished with the daytime painkillers after six weeks.  I then tried to switch to Ibuprofen at night time but developed a dry cough so I then reverted to just one co-codamol at the night time.  I would say that I finished with the medication somewhere between seven and eight weeks post-op,  Still carried on with the ice packs around my knee after exercise or walking though.  I am certainly pleased that the night times are going better now.  There is still some swelling around the knee and lower leg and stiffness if I sit down for too long!  Having been through it two years ago, I know that this will disappear in time so I am not too worried.  At least I can walk without limping, go up and down stairs, albeit slowly and deliberately, and drive and look forward to the summer.  I remember that in the June two years ago, we went to Torquay on holiday and it was lovely to be able to just walk around the area like a normal person without limping and having to sit down frequently!   This will be the same sort of timescale as it was almost two years to the day after the first knee replacement.   Yes, it is good to hear progress of people going through the same experience and it does give you an idea of what to expect - as long as you do not set yourself unrealistic goals!  Best wishes for your future recovery - it sounds as if it is going well for you.    Dorothy
    • eileen15268
      eileen15268 dorothy97700

      Posted

      That's sounds really good. I'd be happy if mine goes like yours. I have every confidence as I'm fit otherwise. I'm still on Naproxen & paracetamol, a couple of days ago i stopped the codeine as it gave me a dreadful dry mouth. I'm 5 weeks Saturday so am getting there. I walk @ the house unaided but when I go out to physio I use crutches for confidence really.my grandson is getting married in Huddersfield at the end of July & it will be great going & ,as you say not hobbling along.. Naproxen is a strong anti inflammatory so I'm hoping to go on ibuprofen soon instead. I had knee surgery on this knee last year, surgeon tried to mend it, but was unsuccessful,hence my TKR. I injured it 2 years ago come September & since then my life has been on hold.im really looking forward to getting back to normal. Thanks for your texts Dorothy, it's great knowing this is all going through the procedure to recovery, nobody tells you do they . Good luck x

  • Eizie
    Eizie eileen15268

    Posted

    I will be 4 weeks post surgery tomorrow and next week I see the doc to find out if I can drive or not. I have an automatic thankfully.
  • clive45466
    clive45466 eileen15268

    Posted

    Hi I am in the UK and had my right knee TKR, I drove at 3 weeks, getting in the car was not easy, but was confident in driving.

    Good healing

    • eileen15268
      eileen15268 clive45466

      Posted

      Well done Clive , I can't wait to drive but tbh still feel a bit fragile? I will wait the 6 weeks as told only another one after this, I hate getting lifts

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 eileen15268

    Posted

    Lots of variables

    Some countries insurance isn't good until Dr releases you to drive.

    Do you have strength to push pedal in a hurry.

    What happens to the leg if you get rear ended and you get jammed into the steering column or dash.

    Practice in your driveway before moving.

    Don't regret going too fast too soon.

    • eileen15268
      eileen15268 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Yes oldfatguy thanks. All you said is taken on board & I won't go until I'm confident

    • marilyn10235
      marilyn10235 eileen15268

      Posted

      Hi Eileen

      If you can get into the car & can do an emergency stop you be ok.

      It felt strange the first time I drove again but it all comes flooding back.

      Good luck on your first outing post TKR

      Marilyn

      XX

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.