Return to driving after total hip and knee arthroplasty - the perspective of employed patients

To address the paucity of research on patient perspectives regarding return to driving after Total Hip and Total Knee arthroplasty (THA; TKA), and how this impacts on return-to-work.

Employed participants, who had undergone THA or TKA, took part in semi-structured telephone interviews. They were asked about support received regarding driving, who provided this information, and the impact of this on their return to driving and consequently work.

Thirty-eight people were interviewed. Although sources of information and advice were available, patients struggled to know who to approach. Interviewees reported variations and contradictions in the advice given on when they could safely return to driving after surgery. Of note, there was little difference in the advice given to those who had undergone THA compared to TKA. Many participants devised their own plan for returning to driving.

There is inconsistency in driving advice provided after THA and TKA. Consequently, patients make their own decisions about how and when to drive, and develop strategies to accelerate the process. Greater clarity is required from healthcare professionals on time frames for driving post-surgery and for advising patients on their responsibilities around informing the DVLA and insurance companies of their surgery.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONHealthcare professionals should be aware of medico-legal requirements when advising patients about their legal responsibilities regarding driving after joint arthroplasty.Given the pivotal role of driving in the resumption of work after joint arthroplasty, there needs to be greater importance placed on the provision of explicit advice and support on driving for those undergoing orthopaedic surgery.As driving is a complex skill, the advice given to patients should be individualised.Factors to be considered should be the type of vehicle driven e.g., automatic/manual transmission; height of the vehicle from the ground; the side of the surgery; any medication prescribed which might impact on driving, and consideration of any comorbidities.