Knee Replacement: Minimum 4 weeks post-surgery

Hip Replacement: Minimum 4 weeks post-surgery

Knee Arthroscopy (simple case where no new braces/crutches are needed): Minimum 24 hours post-surgery

ACL Reconstruction: Minimum 2 weeks post-surgery (longer if ongoing need for crutches or weight-bearing restrictions)

Ask your surgeon on the day of surgery or at your follow-up appointment if further clarification is needed.

Deciding when you can return to driving has a number of considerations:

• Will the act of driving impact or impair the healing process and perhaps compromise the final outcome of my surgery?

• Am I safe to drive? (i.e. Can I safely control my vehicle in an emergency?)

• Am I capable of driving? (i.e. Do I have a temporary splint or disability that prevents me from driving?)

• Is my judgement impaired? (i.e. Am I taking strong pain-relieving medications that may interfere with my reaction time or judgement?)

A safe return to driving depends on:

• What you drive (automatic/manual/power steering).

• The conditions you are driving in (bad weather/ night/poor roads)

• How long the journey will be

• The medications you are taking

• The pain you are experiencing

• The function you have lost

• Your judgment and capacity to drive.

Immediately after your operation you will likely be taking pain-relieving medications that are sedatives (similar to alcohol). These medications can interfere with your concentration, judgment and reaction time. You should not drive while you are taking these medications.

There should be no requirement for a leg splint to protect your limb from pain or injury, or to allow recovery.

Your lower limb should not be in a cast or splint and you should not still be requiring crutches to mobilise.

Your lower limb should not be compromised by pain or poor nerve/muscle function.

It is recommended that you are able to fully weight bear on your right leg in your usual footware before returning to drive.

Before attempting to drive on public roads, take your car to an empty car park and practise driving in a safe and controlled environment. Once you can safely and repeatedly perform all of the emergency stop procedures and all the manoeuvres necessary for driving, you may consider returning to driving.

Please note, your normal car insurer may not cover you if:

• You are involved in an accident and you are wearing a cast or a brace.

• You are taking strong pain-relieving medications, such as sedatives that may impair your concentration or judgement.

• You have had a fracture (broken bone) & there is recent x-ray evidence the break has not healed.

• You have had “recent surgery”.
  The definition of “recent surgery” is not clearly defined. If unsure, contact your car insurer for clarification.