Factors That Influence Returning to Driving Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Investigation

It is unclear when a patient can return to driving after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Currently, most surgeons simply restrict all patients from driving for 4 to 6 weeks after TKA despite variability in patient age, general health, and physical capabilities. The primary objective of this study was to create novel clinical prediction calculators to estimate the return-to-driving time following primary TKA.

In this study, 167 patients who were undergoing a primary TKA were prospectively enrolled. Subjects received text message surveys every third day postoperatively to determine when they returned to driving. Subjects completed 8 physical performance maneuvers at their 2, 6, and 12-week postoperative clinical appointments. Additionally, subjects completed return-to-driving surveys and a structured interview. Data on demographic characteristics, operative factors, patient-reported outcomes, and patient factors were collected. Cox proportional hazard and parametric survival models were utilized to create 2 novel calculators for predicting return-to-driving time.

There were 156 patients (mean age, 67.7 years [range, 39 to 83 years]) who completed the study. The median return-to-driving time was 18 days (interquartile range [IQR], 12 to 27 days). Univariate analysis demonstrated that male patients returned to driving sooner (18 days) than female patients (25.3 days) (p < 0.001) and that patients who underwent left-sided surgery returned to driving sooner (20.1 days) than patients who underwent right-sided surgery (24.4 days) (p = 0.021). For preoperative factors, age, sex, laterality, and preoperative Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) had an effect on return-to-driving time and therefore were included in the novel preoperative clinical prediction calculator. For postoperative factors, age, sex, laterality, preoperative KOOS, and 6 metrics from the physical performance maneuvers had an effect on return-to-driving time and therefore were included in the novel postoperative physical performance-based instrument.

Overall, patients undergoing primary TKA returned to driving considerably earlier than previously reported. Patient-related factors and postoperative physical performance significantly affect return-to-driving time. Using the novel preoperative clinical prediction tool, individual patients can be advised when to expect to return to driving. After surgery, the novel postoperative physical performance-based instrument can inform patients when they may be ready to return to driving.

Prognostic Level II . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.