Brake response time after modern total knee arthroplasty: How soon can patients drive?

Recent advances in the performance of total knee arthroplasty may allow for return to driving sooner than the current recommendation of six to eight weeks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate at what time point patients may safely return to driving after modern total knee arthroplasty.

Thirty-two consecutive patients underwent pre-operative and weekly post-operative assessments of brake reaction time before and for eight weeks after undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Overall, patients returned to their preoperative baseline brake reaction times by the second postoperative week. There was a significant difference in regard to gender but not laterality or age. Specifically, men achieved preoperative brake reaction times by the first postoperative week and women by the second.

Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty with a modern perioperative pathway appear to achieve preoperative brake reaction times by the second postoperative week when not taking narcotic pain medication. However, the safe return to driving in each patient must be approached individually. Surgeon discretion to release a patient to drive is always prudent and the decision should be considered on an individual basis.