ARTHROPLASTY SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA POSITION STATEMENT ON DRIVING AFTER TOTAL HIP AND KNEE
REPLACEMENT SURGERY
The Arthroplasty society acknowledges that driving is an important part of people’s lives and
day-to-day activities. A patient should not return to driving after a hip or knee replacement until
they can safely perform an “emergency stop” and they no longer require regular narcotic analgesia.
The ability to perform an emergency stop varies between patients, but in most cases occurs between
4 and 6 weeks following a right leg hip or knee replacement.
Licensing authorities do not specify specific driving restrictions after hip or knee replacement
and require patients to seek advice directly from their treating surgeon as to when it is safe for
them to drive.
If you have concerns regarding your ability to drive, clarification should be obtained from your
treating surgeon.