Intra-articular injection and driving advice: a survey of UK rheumatologists' current practice

To determine the current practice of UK rheumatologists regarding driving advice and intra-articular injection. A secondary objective was to clarify legal advice on driving after intra-articular injection.

A link to an online questionnaire was sent out via the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) monthly e-newsletter to all BSR members in January 2010. In addition, we contacted the Medical Defence union (MDU), Medical Protection Society (MPS), Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and insurance companies for statements regarding legal advice.

A total of 134 responses were obtained. These were collected on a web-based database. The majority of forms returned were from consultant rheumatologists. Fifty-six per cent of respondents said that they routinely asked patients about driving prior to joint injection. Seventy-six respondents (57%) considered driving to be an issue when injecting joints. If a patient had driven to clinic, 30% of respondents said that they would inject as normal, 28% opting to inject but ask the patient to wait following injection. Only 12% (16 respondents) said that they would not undertake an injection if the patient was driving. Sixty-one (46%) respondents did not run an injection clinic. Of those who did (71 respondents) 55% pre-warned patients not to drive.

There is no clear consensus among rheumatologists as to practice regarding driving following an intra-articular injection. Medico-legally, there is no absolute bar to driving following an intra-articular injection, and guidance points to clinicians' own judgement as to the safety of driving.