How Long After a Knee Replacement Can You Drive?

If you are getting ready to have a knee replacement surgery, then I’m sure that you have a butt ton of questions!

Before my surgery, one important question I had was, “How long after my knee replacement can I drive?”

For me driving is a big part of my independence.

Who wants to depend on friends or family members to get you from point A to Point B?

You will need to go to physical therapy 2-3 days a week and also have a follow-up appointment with your orthopaedic surgeon—someone is going to have to take you!!

Setting up appointments around someone else’s schedule sucks!

I learned that the timeline for driving is not a one-size-fits-all.

There are several factors, such as:

• Which knee did you have done?
• ​Are you having a total or partial knee replacement?  
• How long will you require pain medication?  
• How soon will you be able to bend your knee?
• What type of vehicle do you drive? Is it an automatic, or do you prefer a clutch?  Is it low to the ground or something you have to climb into?  

So, as you can see, there are many things to consider before you get behind the wheel of your vehicle.

I will tell you that realistically, for a partial knee replacement it could be 2-4 weeks, but for a total knee replacement, it is more like 4-6 weeks.

Before driving, you want to make sure that your leg has good range of motion and strength.

This is important to work the pedals and for good brake response times.

Initial Recovery Phase

After a total knee replacement, the initial recovery period is very important for healing and rehabbing.

READ MORE:  Tips to Speed Up Recovery from Knee Replacement Surgery – Simply Aging Healthy

Rehab and Physical Therapy

Physical therapy and home exercises are important for getting back to driving.

That new knee isn’t going to fix itself!

Beginning Physical Therapy

My physical therapy sessions started the morning after surgery.

I hated it!!!

Your physical therapist will start working on range-of-motion exercises so that you can begin walking again without assistive devices like a walker, crutches or cane.

It also helps with swelling and pain.

Once your range of motion returns, you will start strengthening the knee.

Home Exercises

You will have home exercises to do – DON”T avoid doing them!

It will be horrible – I won’t deny that, but most of your motion will come back at home and not in therapy 2-3 times a week.

For the first few weeks, getting in and out of the car was hard!

You may want to start out in the back seat of the car instead of the front seat – this will give you more room.  

READ MORE:  11 Tips For What NOT To Do After Total Knee Replacement | Simply Aging Healthy

When Can You Drive After Knee Replacement? 

As I told you before, this is different for everyone.

I will break down some issues that you need to resolve before jumping behind the wheel.

Which Knee Did You Have Surgery On

A big factor to consider when it comes to driving is which knee you had surgery on.

If you had surgery on your left knee like me, you should be able to return to driving sooner than someone with a right knee replacement- if you drive an automatic car.

Once you can safely get in and out of the car and you are off all of your narcotic pain medication, you should be able to drive again since this is not the foot you use to control the pedals.

But if you have a manual transmission—a clutch—you probably won’t be able to return to driving any sooner than someone with a right knee joint replacement.

I was able to return to driving 4 weeks post-op – but I had a left total knee replacement, and I drive an automatic.

What Type of Surgery Are You Having?

Are you having a partial knee replacement or a total knee replacement?

This makes a huge difference.

A partial knee replacement takes less time to heal because only the affected compartment of the knee is replaced during surgery.

Whereas a total knee replacement will take more time to heal because it replaces all three compartments of the knee.

So, returning to driving after a partial knee replacement should take half the time compared to a total replacement.

​With a partial knee replacement returning to driving after 2-4 weeks would be realistic, however a total knee replacement would be closer to 4-6 weeks.

Pain and Medication

You will have a lot of pain after your knee surgery – so of course, you will be given strong pain medications. 

I don’t know about you, but pain medicine messes with my head!

It always makes me feel like I’m in a brain fog.  

For the first week or two you will probably be taking your pain medication routinely.  

You will for sure want to take pain medication before therapy – because your therapist is going to torture you!

So, do not try to drive. This could really end badly for someone.  

You could also get ticketed for a DUI (driving under the influence)

Only after you are off of your narcotic pain medication can you begin driving again.  

Knee Function and Strength

It’s super important that you have enough muscle strength to move the pedals and have control of your vehicle.

Some specific benchmarks should include:

• Can you bend your leg enough to get in and out of your car easily? 
• Do you have full knee extension to push your car’s pedals?  
• Are you fully weight-bearing and no longer needing an assistive device?

If you’re in doubt about your strength, have someone take your car to an empty parking lot and try driving there first.

Stay off the roads until you are ready!

Reaction Time

Your reaction time can be affected after surgery.

Make sure that you have a quick response time.

Even a slight delay in responding can cause an injury, death, or, at the very least, damage to your car.

So, be sure to check your reaction time in an empty parking lot.

Never do this on the street, even if it is a quiet street; you never know when a child may run out in front of you.

What Type of Vehicle do you Drive? 

This is a huge factor. 

Is your car an automatic or clutch?  

If it’s a clutch, it could take you longer to drive, even if you had surgery on your left knee, because you will need to use both feet.

Does your car sit low to the ground? If so, you will need to bend your knee even more, which could delay driving.

If you have to climb into a big SUV or truck that doesn’t have running boards, this could cause an issue since climbing will be difficult for a while.  

So, How Long After a Knee Replacement Can You Drive?

Knowing when you can drive after a total knee replacement is a common question.

But the answer is as individual as the surgery itself.

It depends on several things, such as the type of surgery, your individual recovery rate, the leg affected, and the type of vehicle you drive.

Most people may be able to return to driving 2-4 weeks after a partial knee replacement and 4-6 weeks after a total knee replacement surgery, but this is completely individual.

Don’t be upset if you are more like 6-8 weeks – you’ll get there!

You may want to discuss this with your orthopedic surgeon and follow their advice for your personal situation.

Also. before returning to driving long distances, try driving in a safe area, like an empty parking lot, so that you don’t injure yourself or anyone else.

I hope that your recovery from a knee replacement goes smoothly and completely pain free!

Ok, so maybe pain-free is pushing it!

I would love to hear your recovery story.