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

Purpose 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. Materials and Methods 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. Results 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 Conclusions 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.