When Can I Drive After My Hip Replacement
Most patients brake reaction time had returned to baseline level or better within 2 weeks of undergoing total hip arthroplasty, allowing the patients to be able to drive safely again, according to study results.
Researchers retrospectively evaluated brake reaction time in 38 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty . All patients had the brake reaction time assessed preoperatively to establish a baseline and again at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks postoperatively, or until brake reaction time was the same as or better than the preoperative score. The researchers obtained patient history to rule out the use of pre- and postoperative narcotics during testing. Patients were able to drive again when their brake reaction time was the same as or better than the preoperative baseline.
The mean brake reaction times preoperatively and at the 2-week follow-up were 0.635 seconds and 0.576 seconds, respectively. Results indicated 33 out of the 38 patients reached their baseline at the 2-week follow-up. The remaining five patients reached their baseline at the 4-week follow-up.
According to the researchers, the average preoperative time for the five unsuccessful patients was faster compared with the 33 successful patients, meaning the five patients who did not match their preoperative time at 2 weeks had a faster time to achieve in order to be successful.
I allow most patients to resume driving within 2 weeks after surgery.
When Can I Drive After A Hip Replacement
The answer varies from patient to patient, and whether you have surgery on the right leg or the left leg. As a general rule, you cannot drive if you are on narcotics or unsafe on the road. Patients on average are able to return to driving between 2 and 6 weeks after surgery. I usually advise my patients that if they feel like they wouldnt be able to stop in the event of an emergency or if a pedestrian suddenly decided to cross the road in front of the car, they should not drive. Practice on a parking lot before driving on the road.
What Type Of Hip Implant Will Be Used
There are many different types of hip implant, and each implant comes in a range of sizes. Choosing the best implant for you will depend on a number of factors. Mr Gormack will take into account your age, the size and shape of your bones, whether you have osteoporosis, and your expected activity levels after surgery. In general, cemented implants will be used in patients with wider or thinner bone, and uncemented implants will be used in patients with harder or thicker bone. The socket is made of titanium, with a liner made from a plastic called highly cross-linked polyethelene. The stem that goes inside the thigh bone is stainless steel or titanium, and the ball is made from either stainless steel or ceramic. Before surgery you will have a templating x-ray to ensure the correct size and shape implant is selected for you.
Also Check: Lower Back Pain Above Hip
How Can I Manage At Home During Recovery From Hip Replacement Surgery What Are Hip Replacement Precautions And Restrictions
There are some general safety tips to keep in mind. For example, simplify your surroundings:
- Remove clutter.
- Keep stairs free of objects.
- Keep supplies in the same place.
- Remove small rugs throughout the house.
Keep walking areas safe:
- Watch out for your pets when walking.
- Keep hallways/stairways well lit.
- Purchase night lights for bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Stairs should have securely fastened handrails. Non-skid threads on stairs add to safety. If you have problems with your vision, add a contrasting color to mark stair edges.
What Does Recovery Look Like Whats The Rehabilitation After Hip Replacement Surgery
Rehabilitation and physical therapy are started immediately following surgery and continue throughout hospitalization and at home for one year after surgery. Your physical therapist will monitor the strength and flexibility in your leg and hip, as well as your ability to stand and sit. In addition, a physical therapist will provide goals and instructions for you to complete while in the hospital and at home.
Although discharge home is the goal for the majority of patients, your healthcare provider may determine that its best for your recovery if you go to a rehabilitation center or nursing home after discharge from the hospital. At the rehabilitation center, you will have concentrated time with a physical therapist and occupational therapist and will regain your strength, learn about all your exercises and the precautions that youll need to follow. Your length of stay at this facility is approximately five to 14 days, depending on your recovery progress. Your healthcare providers assistant or nurse will discuss facilities available for your needs, and a case manager specializing in discharge planning will meet with you during your admission. The case manager handles all of the planning for your rehabilitation.
Recommended Reading: Getting Into Bed After Hip Replacement
Driving After Hip Replacement Surgery
Returning to driving a car is a huge issue for many of my patients. During my training, we were told that it wasnt safe to drive for at least 6 weeks after hip replacement surgery, but here is some evidence to show that 2 weeks is probably enough. Not everyone recovers at the same rate, and it is important that you ask your surgeon when it might be safe for you to drive.
Thanks to improved surgical, pain management and rehabilitation procedures, patients who undergo a total hip replacement may be able to safely drive as early as two weeks following surgery, according to new research presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons .
Each year, more than 322,000 patients undergo hip replacement surgery in the U.S. Previous studies, conducted more than a decade ago, recommended between six and eight weeks of recovery before driving however, recent advances in surgical treatment and care may have shortened this time frame. A shorter driving ban would allow patients to more quickly resume daily activities and return to work.
Of the 38 patients, 33 reached their baseline time within two weeks. The remaining patients reached their baseline at four weeks. Among the other findings of the study:
When Can I Start Driving After Hip Replacement Surgery
Most patients want to know how long they have to wait to drive after having a hip replacement. The truth it depends on the patient. Fortunately, however, a recent study has revealed significant advances in healing time, thanks to less invasive surgical techniques.
Throughout the years, hip replacement techniques have advanced to cause far less damage to surrounding tissues. Anterior hip replacement, for example, has seen success not only in the operation itself, but in the time to leave the hospital and fully heal. But what about getting back to driving?
In the past, a typical wait time to start driving again would have been around six weeks. However, in Geoffrey Westrich, MDs recent study, he found that within four weeks, patients not only regained their reaction time, but exceeded their pre-operation reaction speed.
So, after having a medical procedure, in which a major part of the body has been replaced, patients can get back to driving in only a month. You not only regain the ability to walk without pain, but you improve your ability to react as a driver. As medical practice continue to advance, we can only expect to see better results.
Also Check: Back Pain Causing Hip Pain
When Will My Hip Incision Heal
The incisions for a hip replacement surgery nowadays are very small and are closed up with absorbable sutures, explains Thakkar. The incision is covered with a dressing and takes about six weeks to heal. During this time, its OK to shower, but to reduce the risk of infection, bathing and swimming should be put off until the wound fully heals.
Common Anterior Hip Replacement Recovery Questions
When Can I Use The Stairs
- As soon as you feel comfortable and stable
When Can I Drive Again
- Driving depends on which hip had surgery and your individual use of pain medications but often patients start driving after 1-2 weeks
When Can I Resume Sexual Activity
- Sexual activity can be resumed at your comfort so long as anterior hip precautions are abided by
When Can I Return To Work
- It all depends on what you do for work, patients with sedentary jobs can return as early as 1 week, others with high impact jobs may require 4-6 weeks.
When Can I Start Exercising
- Walking starts day 1
- Non-impact exercises like the exercise bike, swimming, and elliptical can be started within 1 week of surgery
- Heavy impact exercises like tennis and weight lifting can be resumed after 6 weeks
When Can I Travel On An Airplane?
- 2-4 weeks after a hip replacement with restrictions. Please speak to the office about air travel recommendations as it can vary from patient to patient
Will I require antibiotics for dental cleanings or dental work?
- Dental work poses a risk for infection close to surgery so it is recommended you wait 4 weeks after surgery prior to any dental work. Additionally, for 3 months from the date of surgery, Dr. Martin recommends an antibiotic for any dental work. After this time period, the dentists or treating specialist will decide.
Recommended Reading: Arthritis In The Hips Feel Like
Dont Drive Until Youre Cleared By Your Doctor
Driving after hip replacement is different for everyone. Some people are able to drive within a couple of weeks of their hip replacement surgery, and others need more time to heal and drive safely. Before you drive, its important to discuss it with your doctor so that you know youre safe on the road and that doing so wont disrupt your healing process.
How Long Is The Recovery Time
Patients heal from surgery at different speeds. Typically, youll get asked to use crutches or a walker for about three weeks. Then, you can use a cane outdoors and walk without any support when you are indoors. After that, youll be allowed to return to normal activities such as running after about three months.
Don’t Miss: Lower Right Hip And Back Pain
Timeline: Hip Replacement Surgery
Recovery from hip replacement surgery can be a long process. What should you expect? Everyone’s case is different, but here’s a rough outline of what will happen after hip replacement surgery — from the day of the operation to three months later. Recovery time can vary and will often depend on your age, health, diet, and how active you were before your surgery.
Day of Your Hip Replacement Surgery
- You’ll check in several hours before your scheduled surgery. Expect to stay for 3 to 4 days.
- The procedure will probably last about 2 to 3 hours.
- Recovery from anesthesia will probably take about 2 hours.
- Once you’re fully awake, you’ll go to your hospital room.
- You will likely stick to a liquid diet for the rest of the day.
- You will need medication to help with pain and to prevent infection and blood clots.
1 to 2 Days After Hip Replacement Surgery
- You’ll get out of bed — with assistance — and start moving around using a walker or crutches.
- You will see physical and occupational therapists. They will help you learn how to move safely with minimal pain. You probably won’t be able to do certain movements for a few weeks.
- The day after surgery, you can usually begin eating a normal diet.
- You’ll see many different people from the hospital staff, including doctors, nurses, and case workers.
- You’ll likely shift from intravenous to oral pain medications.
3 Days After Hip Replacement Surgery
4+ Days After Hip Replacement Surgery
Show Sources
After Leaving The Hospital
At first, doing your usual daily activities, such as bathing, cooking, and cleaning, will be hard to do on your own. Thats why its important to have a support system in place to ensure youre able to get through your day safely.
If you dont have the necessary support system, you may need to stay at a rehabilitation facility once you leave the hospital.
Youll get supervised physical therapy every day until youre strong and steady enough to move around safely on your own.
Once youre at home, youll need to continue doing the exercises that your physical therapist recommended you do.
This will help you gain strength and flexibility in your muscles and new joint, and itll help speed up your recovery.
If needed, your healthcare team may arrange for a home health aide, physical therapist, or visiting nurse to come to your home to help you with your recovery or to check on your progress.
Once youre at home, youll have to keep your wound dry until your stitches come out.
You May Like: Can Fibroids Cause Pain In Your Hip
How Do I Safely Ride In A Car And On A Plane After A Hip Replacement
You may go out in a car approximately three weeks after you return home, but make sure to avoid sports cars and cars with bucket seats because of the low seat height. When riding in a car, make sure to stop every 45 to 60 minutes to get out and do some walking. Also, do ankle pumps in the car while riding. If youre flying, request an aisle seat and keep the operative leg extended in the aisle. Request to be boarded last on the plane.
How Should I Get Into A Car After My Total Hip Replacement
You May Like: Best Office Chair For Lower Back And Hip Pain
Dont Rush The Healing Process
Although you may be eager to get back to independent living, the last thing you want is to risk re-injuring yourself. If you do not feel ready to tackle the tasks of daily living when youre discharged from the hospital, you have the option of recovering in a skilled nursing facility. There, youll receive the rehabilitative care you need to heal and recover at your own pace.
Everything You Need To Know About Driving After A Hip Replacement
Posted on:
Understandably, patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery have a strong desire to return to normal activitiesespecially considering it may have been some time since they were able to perform them comfortably.
Driving is one vital activity that, prior to hip replacement surgery, may have been difficult or impossible. Medical and legal guidelines regarding when it is safe to drive following a hip replacement are currently somewhat unclear, made hard to legislate as everyone experiences a different healing process.
Also Check: Hip Replacement Late Infection Symptoms
How Do I Safely Rest And Sleep After A Hip Replacement
Elevate both of your legs when sitting to minimize swelling. When resting or sleeping in bed, lie on your non-operative side for the first four to six weeks following surgery. Make sure you have a pillow between your legs and a second pillow to support your foot and ankle. When you lie on your back, you must have a pillow between your legs. If you get up in the middle of the night, sit at the side of the bed for a few seconds to avoid dizziness.
Recovering At Home After Your Hip Surgery
You may feel very tired at first. You’ve had a major operation and muscles and tissues around your new hip will take time to heal. Follow the advice of the surgical team and call your GP if you have any particular concerns.
You may be eligible for home help and there may be aids that can help you. You may want to arrange to have someone to help you for a week or so.
The exercises your physiotherapist gives you are an important part of your recovery. It’s essential you continue with them once you’re at home. Your rehabilitation will be monitored by a physiotherapist.
The pain you may have experienced before the operation should go immediately. You can expect to feel some pain as a result of the operation, but this won’t last for long.
Contact your GP if you notice redness, fluid or an increase in pain in the new joint after your surgery.
Recommended Reading: Hip Labral Tear Physical Therapy
Driving After A Hip Replacement
Congratulations on getting your hip replacement. Now you are looking forward to returning to a normal, pain-free life. But what about driving? For many people, driving is a key component to living an independent life. So, if you want to resume driving, what are the things you should look out for after hip surgery? Here are some tips on driving after a hip replacement.
Medical Recommendations For Driving After A Hip Replacement
The most recent medical advice for driving post-surgery is a minimum of 6-8 weeks after the procedure. The issue with this recommendation is the fact that it is based on outdated studies. The studies used a traditional posterior hip replacement and are based on soft tissue recovery.
More recently, anterior hip replacements have shown much faster recovery times. One study stated brake reaction times resumed around two days after micro-invasive surgery. Dr. Nizam has run one of the most extensive studies in regards to safe driving after anterior bikini hip replacement surgery. As this procedure does not involve the cutting of any muscles or tendons, the muscle around the hip joint remains intact. This leads to a faster recovery with less restriction, pain, swelling, and muscle weakness.
Recommended Reading: Hip Pain When Laying Down