Return to driving is an important functional landmark for patients and so is one of the most frequently asked questions asked by patients undergoing hip and knee replacement. Show The position statement of the Australian Orthopaedic Association and the Arthroplasty Society of Australia published in 2016 simply and vaguely advises that patients should not return to driving until: The AOA position statement further states that the ability to perform an emergency stop varies between patients, but that in most cases this occurs between 4 and 6 weeks following a right hip or knee replacement. However, the confusing issue is that this guideline was formulated by a group of senior surgeons who generally perform “traditional” approach hip replacement which involves cutting and then repairing muscles/tendons to the hip. In my experience, patients who have an anterior approach hip replacement (which performed between muscles to the hip with no muscles cut) are often able to discard their pain medications after only a few days and are often off crutches less than a week after surgery. I am, therefore, not particularly surprised when patients coming for their 2 week post op check up now often walk up the stairs to my office without crutches and when some tell me that they drove themselves in for the appointment (2 weeks after surgery). I fully agree with the AOA statement in that patients needs to be off narcotic meds and be able to perform an emergency stop but find that functional recovery after hip replacement is now quicker that was traditionally expected.
This protocol is supported by recent orthopaedic research:
How soon after hip replacement surgery can you drive?Driving. If you had surgery on your right hip, it may take up to a month to be able to drive safely again. If it was your left hip, then you might be back in the driver's seat in one or two weeks.
What should I be doing 2 weeks after hip replacement?One or two weeks after surgery you'll probably be able to:. Move about your home more easily.. Walk short distances, to your mailbox, around the block, or perhaps even further.. Prepare your own meals. One to 2 weeks after surgery you may be able to stand at the kitchen counter without a walking aid. ... . Take showers.. How far should you walk 2 weeks after hip replacement?Patients who have superPATH, direct superior, or anterior hip replacement approach in an Ambulatory Surgery Center begin walking an hour after surgery; they no longer require a walker after 1-5 days; and it usually takes them 2-4 weeks to build up to walking a mile in 20 – 30 minutes.
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