have to weigh in on this one. Seeing surgeon in 2 days. I'm 6 weeks out, ROM 126, 4degrees from 0. Right knee.
im 71 and drive manual transmission. In US, we use left leg for clutch ; right foot gas and brake.
Ive been on percocet for years for my back. have cut back to two meds from 4.
just hoping I can at least get to the grocery.
need positive thoughts
My surgeon said I could drive after 6 weeks if I felt comfortable, he put the onus on me ( like it should be)how do you feel with a stick shift ? Comfortable, confident .... Only you can decide.
Remember , you're also on drugs, how do you feel , light-headed, maybe a touch foggy? If you're still sharp mentally ,it shouldn't be a problem....again, the onus is on you
I'm comfortable enough to stay very close to home. As I said, opioids were never a problems before. So I guess I'll see what surgeon says. Thanks.
Hiya Judy,
I'm in UK, I was 71 when I had my knee done - a partial knee replacement, also right knee. It was exactly a year ago, 6 Nov 2015 to be exact. My car is same, left leg for clutch, right for gas and brake. I was back driving my car on 29 December 2015, but that was because Christmas 2015 intervened - I probably could have managed to drive a week earlier if I could have got to my surgeon for a final check up, but being Christmas he was away. In UK we need to notify our insurers anyway. But from a knee point of view, a technical point of view the ultimate test is ............. an emergency stop. I'm not talking about going into a vacant parking lot and slamming on the brakes ( you can try it of course) but imagine you are driving along past a row of parked cars and a kid runs out in front of you chasing a ball. As kids do ! Do you feel comfortable that you can safely hit the brakes, bring the car to a reasonably controlled stop without injuring yourself, damaging your knee or killing the kid ! Thats the test. If you are confident enough to manage this then drive, but take it gently.
I've no doubt you will get the go ahead.
God Bless and take care,
Alan
You're just a youngster and have a long way to go before giving up your routine. I'm impressed you are driving a manual. Like you, I've been on pain meds for years ( most of The time since late 2002). A rare tumor ate my knee up and 11 surgeries have resulted. I'm also in the US ( suburb of Kansas City). 2 years ago this coming march I had to have the entire prosthesis removed and a plastic spacer inserted due to a nasty staph. The leg had to be immobilized and I was limited to toe touch or 25% weight bearing with no bend for 4 months. I was restricted to a walker for mobility. I won't go into the long story but my wife has advanced Parkinson's disease and can't drive. I developed a system of getting the walker and me down a couple of steps to the garage then being able to get the walker folded and in the drivers side over the console to he passenger side . Then straight legged getting into my SUV and going to a drive in supermarket and they the drive in of fast food places. Of course that all took place about a month after the surgery. After 4 months the 3rd prosthesis was installed and then had to start actual rehab. The only advantage I had was being 6'1"/200+ lbs and fairly strong for a 77 year old. Now pushing 80 and still fighting leg pain which is mainly due to never being able to rest. My wife's condition has worsened and she has taken several serious falls......one resulting in a broken hip and partial hip replacement. She is showing signs of dementia and has me continually on the move Asher needs are increasing. So.....enjoy your youth and do what you can do on your own. Don't let anyone tell you you are to old or weak or frail. But......think about getting rid of the manual and go to an automatic....unless of course it's a Ferrari and you enjoy the speed and the curves.
Well you made me laugh, and I feel more confident. There are always going to be naysayers, so it's good to get positive strokes
High judy; its ian from england [hope you can get 2 grocery shop ]
Im 5 weeks since T K R &getting there slow but sure, next 2 weeks will sort me out im sure ; tried driving after 5 weeks but pain in knee using clutch terrible give it 2 more weeks then see
-4 / +126 is REALLY good for 6 weeks post op. Excellent work.
Is the TKR side clutch or gas? The problem will not be so much ROM as you already have that going pretty well but more an issue of strength (can you push down the brake or clutch firmly enough) and reaction time (can you do it quickly). That's up for you to judge but I wouldn't be too hasty without having those last two factors down cold. Gotta stay safe.