driving after hip replacement - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

likefinewine · 04-30-2005, 12:34 PM

I will be having a hip replacement in two weeks and am wondering approximately how long it will be before i can safely drive again. Also, just how bad is the pain afterwards?

Colinsmom · 04-30-2005, 06:20 PM

Mine was a month ago. Going in my doctor said 6 weeks before driving. My physical therapist and I agreed "when it wasn't uncomfortable." I started this last week at the end of my 3rd week, and I have a very long driving commute. I didn't have any pain except getting out until I duplicated exactly how I got in!

The pain sucks, there's no denying that, and I surely was counting down every 4 hours between pain meds the first two weeks. I was also having serious thoughts about putting off the second hip during that time, but now I rate my new hip pain a "2" during therapy -- and it's muscular now -- while my to-be-done hip is a "6-7" during and sometimes "9-10" hours after if we worked hard -- and of course it's joint. Needless to say, Sept 12th when I do it all again, can't come soon enough.

I've had other surgeries, and the goal is always to get back as before as quickly as possible. This isn't the case, in my experience, with THR. The goal is to get back doing it differently and thus safely. It was a difficult distinction for me to make in the beginning.

Just know it will all be worth it, and let your loved ones take care of you.

billd · 05-01-2005, 02:38 AM

Ditto on the six weeks.

But, I know I could have driven sooner if I absolutely had to.
But I didn't want to go against my Dr.s wishes, or what if the physical therapist sees me getting out of the truck?

Good Luck

Kiricki · 05-01-2005, 06:22 PM

I was driving at 5 weeks. Not much problem getting in and out of the car, and none driving. I am still dealing with pain,at 9 weeks, but it has been pointed out to me that those who have elective surgery, due to joint problems, are more pleased with surgery than those who have it because of injury.......such as Collinsmom, who says her pain level is at 2 in the replaced and 6 or 7 on the one yet to be done. With an injury, there has been no pain before the surgery, so having a level of 2 would seem pretty good, I guess!

MrsLinda · 05-02-2005, 06:48 AM

Pain....horrible. Not the hip, but the incision and all those muscles and tendons that were cut. I actually screamed out loud the first time they tried to turn me a little. I was so embarassed. But the nurses were really good. But you know what.....it got less and less as the days went by. Do not hesitate to ask for your meds....don't wait till the pain is there!!! I actually had no pain while I was lying in bed. It was when they made me move; those horrid people!!!

Driving....I couldn't wait to drive. My doctor told me 8 weeks. But that's his standard time for lifting all restrictions. I was in my truck before that but he'll never know!!

I guess it depends on what hip, standard or automatic and you!!! My hip was the left and it's an automatic suv. The biggest problem I had was getting in!! That's where the running board came in and in the beginning the "leg lifter" I got in the rehab facility.
But remember.......saftey. If you can not get in and out of your vehicle "fairly quick" then I'd wait. God forbid (and I hate to be morbid but this is life) you get into an accident and have to get OUT FAST...you want to be able to. You'll know when your ready.