[When to resume driving after primary total hip arthroplasty?]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomechanics

Context:

• Driving cessation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is variable.
• Existing literature presents conflicting data on return-to-driving timelines post-THA.
• A posterolateral approach was utilized for primary THA in this patient cohort.

Purpose:

• To determine the time to resume driving manual gear vehicles after primary THA.
• To analyze functional recovery and driving confidence in THA patients.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for post-operative driving recommendations.

Summary:

• The median return to driving for manual gear vehicles was three weeks (IQR 2-4) post-primary THA.
• 89.3% of patients resumed driving before the sixth week.
• 92% of patients reported feeling safer driving after THA compared to pre-surgery.

Impact:

• Establishes a safe and evidence-based timeframe for resuming driving after THA.
• Informs patient education and clinical practice guidelines.
• Contributes to understanding functional recovery and patient confidence post-hip replacement.