How long before you were driving again? What are the risks of too soon?
I tried driving at 5 weeks post op felt quite a lot of discomfort also lacked a bit of confidence but yesterday at 7 weeks po had another go and had no problems however dont feel ready to drive a long distance think its a case of listening to your body .feels great to get some independence back.good luck to you
I was advised that if you drive an automatic car you can drive after two weeks but if it's manual it's ok to drive at 6 weeks. I think it's probably before might be harder due to bending your knee and also swelling. I would suggest if you feel like you want to drive get in the car and while it's stationary press down on the clutch. You will know then whether you're ready or not.
Hi Alan, I saw consultant at 6 weeks and he told me I could drive again but just short distance at first. My car is automatic and I had left knee done and thought it could be sooner but insurance wise it is 6 weeks regardless of leg or transmission of car.
I went very short distance the evening I saw consultant but found it very difficult to get operated leg comfortable, the back got sore too. I tried a few days later and no improvement. I left it till 8 weeks and still found it difficult to get comfortable. I'm 12 weeks now and only drive if I have to. Hopefully will improve as work is 30min drive and will be doing that soon enough.
Take your time, if you don't need to drive wait a few days. Sue
Hi Alan
There was no way I could drive before 4 weeks. I believe I took my sister's car out to the shops (about 2 kms) at 6 weeks post op. My left leg was just too sore and my right knee was very stiff. I believe you will know when the time is right (if you don't already!). Best wishes from sunny Sydney.
I was told to check with my insurance and they said i had to able to do an emergency stop.
I think as we get better we are anxious to move on to our normal life. I'm wishing I could drive too but there's no way that I can be safe behind a wheel yet. My therapist said it will be a while yet. We have to have quick responses for anything that comes our way. Plus risking an accident and do more damage. One lady I know was 12 weeks, was in a car accident and her incision came apart from the impact. That was nough to scare me. Mine is my right knee and I think it's harder than the left knee for dricing. I'm almost 5 weeks po. Enjoy the concierge service for now.
Hi Alan!
My surgeon gave me the OK following my second month check-up (Left knee), and said for me to hold off a bit more on my Right knee since that leg does all the pedal work AND at the time there was quite a bit of heavy snow and ice to deal with. I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee which also is a bit high to get into with that right leg first!
Another concern is if a person is on medication containing narcotics. I got off them at two weeks and went to Ibuprofen which worked better for me and had no side effects.
My surgeon said that the rule of thumb is that you want to have a clear head while driving AND you want the ability to handle the regular things that come with driving -- having to sit in traffic, stopping your vehicle quickly, being able to exit your vehicle easily unassisted should there be an accident, etc.
For me it took awhile until my legs felt like they were completely ME. Even with minimal pain to sidetrack me, I still felt a bit awkward moving around until about two months post op. My brain and my body needed time to get working together again following surgery. Physical Therapy addressed this through lots of strengthening exercises, balance work, and stretching.
Driving for the first time after surgery felt strange to me. I took it easy and worked into it. I think mentally I needed as much prep as I did physically. These TKR surgeries played with my mind as I learned how to be a regular person again instead of being a PATIENT!
I pray a lot and ask for guidance, and I thank God often for the strength He gives me. Prayer played a huge role in my recovery and also in developing my confidence to drive again.
With my left PKR I started driving about five weeks... An automatic. The main issue from the pt was being off the narcotics. I'm now four months out from right TKR and been driving since about eight weeks for short bits. My hubby was out of town for two weeks so became sink or swim. Drove two hours to my mom's. Was ok. Surprised at no swelling. Yea! My main issue, and still is, the nature of the destination. If it's a lot of food shopping or mall hopping...I dread it. The endurance just still isn't there. Fortunately, I'm retired so not faced with the pressure of returning to work. My advice, as others, pace yourself and work at it a little longer each time. Just getting back into driving and traffic after being away from it for so long can be somewhat intimidating. Good luck!
If you start driving BEFORE the doctor releases you to drive and have an accident, the liability could fall on you. That's one of the dangers. Also, if it is the right knee, and you have to hit the breaks hard, this could be a bad thing for the right knee. My TKR was on my right knee and I was released to drive at 6 weeks.
Alan
Great question. When I was at therapy yesterday I asked about driving, he said as long as you can react to moving from gas to break and you can stomp the pedal then it should be ok. My surgeon recommends 4 to 6 weeks as long as no narcotics and you can safely stomp you leg down. So I guess it all depends and how well you can move. I plan on trying next week
Hope all is well
Tom
Thanks Melinda
Thanks Gary
Thanks Cheryl.
Prayer helps me a lot too.
Thanks,
Alan
Thanks Karen. I did a short drive last week, it was fine.
Yesterday I tried about half an hour, and last night I paid for it with pain and a sleepless night.
Still quite sore. Icing& elevating now.
I'll take it slowly going forward.
Take care,
Alan
Hi Sue,
Hope all is well.
I drove for 30 minutes yesterday, but suffered last night and today, so it could be a few more weeks.
Thank You,
Alan
Hi Lyn,
I did a 25-30 minute drive yesterday, and was in pain overnight and today. So similar to you. I will build it up slowly so. Glad weather is good down under. It's beautiful here in the Sunny South East of Ireland. (Arklow).
Take care,
Alan
Hi Anne,
Hope you are well.
'Incision splitting' Yikes😲 Scary.
I'll definitely take my time now.
Thanks for the info.
Take care,
Alan
Thanks Tom
Think I just did too much yesterday.
Hi Alan and all other recovering from TKR,
​My consultant gave me the go ahead at 6 weeks to drive again. I tried driving at that stage and found any longer than 5 mins was very uncomfortable. My car is automatic and my operated leg is left. I have built up since then to approx 15 mins but would be stiff when get out of car.
​Today ay 13 weeks post op my son needed a lift 2 hours drive away, and as I am still off work I had to take him. we drove straight without stopping however disaster, I could not even put leg to ground when I stopped and got out. It was so stiff and extremely sore. I had a break for half an hour before returning home and stretched out my leg. I stopped a couple times on way home but was (and stil am) in an uncomfortable way. I stretched it again when home and have iced it. I know we all recover and can do things at a different pace but just take it easy when having to drive. Take care everyone x