Total knee replacement - 6 weeks on

[Divasong]

Hi

Today is my 6 week anniversary of having my TKR on my right knee. I'm keen to start driving again and wondered if I need to get the go ahead from the physio first or what is the protocol? My understanding was that if you can do an emergency stop you can drive. I have an automatic car so I'll be using the operated leg to do all the work.

2 weeks ago I was achieving a bend of just under 110 degrees. Yesterday I tried to see if i could walk up the stairs normally and found I could although it does feel weaker than the other leg. I am down to one crutch and am practicing using none in the home when I feel confident enough!

I'm still taking Tramadol and think I'll need to continue taking that for a while yet to take the edge off the pain. For those of you who have already had a TKR, how long were you taking strong pain killers for in your recovery?

Any general tips from those of you who have been here already as regards recovery?

Thanks

[DorsetLady]

I also have an automatic car -and was in same situation as you, but I did wait until I’d seen surgeon at 6week follow up appointment.

Really as a precaution- just in case involved in accident -insurance companies are notorious for finding a loophole…

If your are still requiring strong painkillers not sure you should be thinking about driving anyway…

[Divasong in reply to DorsetLady]

I won't be seeing my surgeon until the end of January. I really need to be driving before then. So is it not OK to drive while taking tramadol even though I'm mobilising well? I do hear what you are saying about caution though 🙂. I haven't told my insurance company I had the op and wasn't driving....

[DorsetLady in reply to Divasong]

I’ve had 3 replacements- knee [L], hip [R] and shoulder [L] - and obviously the latter two did mean I couldn’t drive until cleared by surgeon.. but I didn’t inform insurance company of any- there isn’t any need to…

..my point was once you been told you are okay to drive by medical team, then you have official permission… so are covered should there be an accident. Fortunately didn’t need anything other than paracetamol after the first couple of weeks… and then only at bedtime..

As for for tramadol -depends how it affects YOU -this is from NHS -

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Do not drive a car, ride a bike or use heavy tools or machinery if tramadol makes you sleepy, gives you blurred vision or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions. This may be more likely when you first start taking tramadol but could happen at any time, for example when starting another medicine.

It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.

So it’s really down to you…

[Divasong in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks yes I understand. Tramadol doesn't adversely affect me thankfully. I thought maybe there was additional info I had missed out on apart from the above regarding this so thanks for clarifying.Wow you've really been through it! I hope you are doing well. Thanks for taking the time to reply 😊

[DorsetLady in reply to Divasong]

Fine thanks…. ☺️

[piglette]

Your insurance company should be informed about your operation. Some companies will not insure drivers for a number of weeks after surgery, so it's important to check what your policy says. Normally, it is safest to avoid driving for 8 weeks after a knee replacement. Discuss this with your insurance provider.

[Divasong in reply to piglette]

thanks

[piglette in reply to Divasong]

I did ask my surgeon about driving after my hip replacement. Mainly so that I could tell my car insurer.

[Happy5]

As already mentioned be a good idea to update your car insurers.

[Divasong in reply to Happy5]

Thanks

[katieoxo60]

Everyones recovery is different, but think most of my driver friends were back driving at 6 to 7 weeks. however as you are taking Tramadol if you get stopped you will be in trouble as its an opiod and if you have an accident your insurance wont honour your cover. It is one of those things that come under the drink and drug act when driving. So until you can manage without tramadol maybe best to avoid using the car. Keep up the good work on recovery and soon you may be able to say goodbye to strong painkillers. Have a lovely Christmas .

[Divasong in reply to katieoxo60]

Thanks. That's really good to know. I'll phone insurers today to discuss. X

[Belle11]

My physio told me that if I wanted to drive sooner than 12 weeks after the operation, I would ned to inform my insurance company, and that even at 12 weeks if I hadn't already started driving again, I should try sitting in the car and "doing" an emergency stop to make sure I had the strength in my leg to for it before committing to driving again.

[Runrig01]

I worked as a ward sister in elective orthopaedics. Most insurance companies will not permit driving, until you’re reviewed by your consultant. That normally occurs at 6 weeks, so it’s concerning your waiting another 6 weeks or so for review. You are correct that one of the criteria is around being able to do an emergency stop. The other is the law around taking meds that can affect your response time, even if Tramadol doesn’t make you sleepy, it can sometimes give you brain fog, and result in you processing things more slowly. I would phone your consultant’s secretary and see if the surgeon, will agree to you driving. It may also be wise to phone your insurers and see what their requirements are. My concern is if your needing regular tramadol still your pain is not controlled, which would impact how you respond when pressing the pedal fiercely. I get your keen to drive, but insurers will try and get out of paying if they can, so best to clarify their rules around joint replacement.