Key Takeaways
- Although most patients can resume driving within 4 to 6 weeks after their knee replacement surgery, many factors, such as medication use and vehicle type, can impact individual recovery timelines.
- Due to pedal-related demands, people recovering from right knee replacements usually require more time before returning to driving, compared to left knee replacements.
- To promote safety before attempting to drive again, conduct a self-assessment, start in a controlled environment, and use assistive devices like a knee brace or pedal extender.
- Make sure you obtain medical clearance, look into the details of your insurance plan, and check state-specific driving laws before getting behind the wheel after a knee replacement surgery.
The Logistics of Driving After Knee Replacement
If you’re wondering how soon you can drive after a knee replacement, the answer depends on several factors, ranging from your strength and mobility to the type of vehicle you will be operating. When approached haphazardly, driving can present various risks for recovering knee replacement patients due to the various leg movements the activity requires. Still, most patients can get behind the wheel after about 4 to 6 weeks of recovery time, assuming they get medical clearance from their doctor and yield to insurance-related and state-specific regulations.
Once given the green light from a qualified medical professional, there are a myriad of ways to prioritize safety before driving after knee surgery, including starting in a controlled environment and relying on assistive devices. Read through the considerations below to learn exactly how soon you can drive after knee replacement surgery and how to make the transition as smooth as possible. Then, contact a reliable joint specialist for tailored guidance built around your specific circumstances.
General Timeline for Returning to Driving
Since every situation and body is unique, the timeline for resuming driving after knee replacement surgery can vary from patient to patient. Although some people may regain mobility faster than others, most patients follow a general recovery timeline, which can be broken down into the following stages:
- First 2 weeks – During this time, recovering knee replacement patients can begin walking with assistance, though they may experience limited mobility and a reliance on pain medication.
- Weeks 3 and 4 – Patients may notice improved mobility and strength around this mark. However, their legs’ reaction time may still be impaired, making driving dangerous.
- Weeks 4 to 6 – After substantial healing and a combination of speed and mobility assessments, many patients receive clearance from their surgeon to begin driving again.
Having to suspend or modify everyday activities like driving can be a deterrent for some people with knee complications, encouraging them to push off a surgery. However, the dangers of delaying knee replacement surgery can significantly outweigh the inconvenience of early recovery stages.
Left vs. Right Knee Replacement Considerations
How soon you can drive after a knee replacement can be impacted by which leg was operated on. For instance, if you had a left knee replacement and you drive an automatic car, you may be able to return to driving sooner, considering your right leg will be responsible for controlling the pedals. Alternatively, if you had a right knee replacement, more recovery time may be required to ensure your right leg can handle acceleration and braking. Regardless of which knee was replaced, you should always seek your medical provider’s approval before operating a motor vehicle.
Key Factors That Affect Driving Readiness
Even though most recovering knee replacement patients can drive after 4 to 6 weeks, many things can affect someone’s readiness, including the following five factors.
1. Strength and Mobility
The ability to quickly and forcefully press on the gas and brake pedals is essential for safe driving. Therefore, weakness or limited range of motion caused by stiffness or inflammation can make driving hazardous. Building strength and reducing swelling after knee surgery is one of the best ways to ensure you are ready for the road.
2. Medication Use
After a knee replacement surgery, many recovering patients take prescription painkillers. Unfortunately, certain medications can impair cognitive function, reaction time, and coordination, prohibiting some medicated patients from driving. Consult your doctor to get a better understanding of a medication’s potential side effects that could compromise your ability to drive.
3. Type of Vehicle
How soon you can drive after knee replacement surgery is not solely dependent on your body; the car you plan to drive also plays a role. For instance, vehicles with an automatic transmission system may make it easier for individuals with left knee replacements to return to driving sooner since their left leg will not be imperative for driving. On the other hand, cars with a manual transmission system may require extensive movement from both legs, potentially delaying driving readiness.
4. Individual Healing Rate
Everyone heals differently, ultimately causing them to return to driving at dissimilar times. Some examples of factors that can impact knee-replacement recovery rates are:
- The patient’s Age
- Their physical condition prior to surgery
- How closely they adhered to physical therapy exercises
- Whether they received a partial or total knee replacement
- The patient’s body weight and BMI
- Whether or not they have a strong support system and conducive home environment to facilitate healing
In addition to the factors above, the surgical technique and implant quality also impact the recovery time. To ensure you can return to driving as soon as possible, find an experienced surgeon who opts for approaches that are minimally invasive vs. traditional knee replacement surgery.
Advanced Methods for the Best Results
At The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, we combine compassionate care with state-of-the-art technology to provide you with the best possible outcome for total and partial knee replacements.
Safety Tips for Easing Back Into Driving
Once you are ready to get back behind the wheel, it is crucial to approach it safely. Consider the following five safety strategies to facilitate your transition back into driving after knee surgery.
1. Conduct a Self-Assessment
Before each and every drive, thoroughly assess if you can move your leg comfortably. You can test your ability to react quickly in an emergency situation by pressing on the brake pedal with speed and force before turning on the car and seeing how it feels.
2. Start in a Controlled Environment
To help get your bearings, you should try to practice driving in a lower-stakes environment. For instance, have someone drive you to an empty parking lot or low-traffic area, then switch seats with them so that you can get a feel for driving around before venturing onto busy roads.
3. Use Assistive Devices If Necessary
Although it may not be needed for every recovering patient, some people may benefit from wearing a knee brace or using a pedal extender while driving. Ask your medical provider if any assistive devices can enhance comfort and support based on your specific situation.
4. Contemplate Alternative Transportation
Even with the help of assistive devices and other safety practices, many people may not be ready to drive as soon as they would like. Some alternatives you can try if driving is not yet an option for you include:
- Arranging rides from family or friends
- Using public transportation
- Considering ride-sharing services
- Scheduling grocery or prescription delivery to limit travel needs
- Walking or biking for short distances, if your doctor approves doing so
Trying the safe options above may help you meet your transportation needs while you wait to regain full mobility.
Doctor’s Recommendations and Legal Considerations
Although you may feel comfortable to drive, abiding by relevant regulations and professional guidance is essential. Start by obtaining medical clearance—in many cases, your medical provider will have the final say on how soon you can drive after hip replacement surgery. Before providing clearance, your surgeon should evaluate your strength and flexibility to determine if you can drive safely.
Additionally, it is important to consider insurance guidelines. For example, many insurance policies explicitly state that they will not cover post-surgery accidents if you drive before receiving medical clearance. Even if you have approval from your doctor, it may be helpful to contact your insurance provider and look into the specifics of your plan to identify potential coverage limitations that apply to your situation.
Lastly, state-specific driving laws should be looked into since many places have regulations regarding post-surgery driving restrictions. By reviewing local laws, you can make it easier to ensure regulatory compliance.
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Expectations
Although Arizona law does not currently set a specific waiting period for driving after a surgery, ADOT requires drivers to report any medical conditions that may impair safe driving within five days of their inception—this can include surgical recoveries. Following their submission, ADOT’s Medical Review Program will evaluate whether a driver meets the necessary medical standards.
Prioritize Safety & Recovery After Knee Replacements
Since so many factors can affect driving after knee replacements, you will have to consult a medical provider familiar with your unique situation to get an accurate answer to “How soon can you drive after knee replacement surgery?”
The professional will likely consider your strength, mobility, medication use, and the type of vehicle you are driving before giving you an estimate of how soon you can drive after a knee replacement. They may also provide safety tips like using assistive devices or starting in a controlled setting to facilitate your return to the wheel..
The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale can assess your progress and help you develop a personalized plan for returning to driving. Plus, we can help our patients get back to everyday activities like driving as soon as possible by helping them prepare for knee replacement surgery ahead of time and using cutting-edge technology like Mako SmartRobotics to perform minimally invasive surgeries that can recover faster than traditional methods.
Schedule an initial consultation to get expert-level guidance with healing and returning to driving.
