Doctor when can I drive? A systematic review and meta-analysis of return to driving after total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Advice given to patients on driving resumption after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is inconsistent. Due to a lack of clear guidelines, surgeons’ recommendations range between 4–8 weeks after surgery to resume driving. Delays in driving return can have detrimental social and economic impact. However, it is important to ensure patients only resume driving once safe. This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of driving simulation studies after THA to establish when patients can safely return to driving postoperatively. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis using PRISMA guidelines was undertaken. Titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion, data was extracted, and studies assessed for bias risk. Review Manager, was used for statistical analysis. Values for brake reaction time (BRT) were included for meta-analysis. RESULTS: 14 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 7 measured BRT and were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled means of both right and left THA showed BRT around or above preoperative baseline at 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks, and below baseline at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 32 weeks and 52 weeks. Of these, the pooled means at 6, 32, and 52 weeks were significant (p < 0.05). Studies not meeting meta-analysis inclusion criteria were included in a qualitative analysis, examining self-reported postoperative driving return times which ranged from 6 days to over a year or in rare cases, never. Majority of patients (n = 960) self-reported driving return within approximately 6 weeks (pooling of mean values 32.9 days). CONCLUSIONS: The mean return to driving time recommended in the literature was 4.5 weeks. Based upon BRT meta-analysis, a return to baseline braking performance was noted at 6 weeks postoperatively. However, driving is a complex skill, and patient recommendation should be individualised based on factors such as vehicle transmission type, THA technique, surgical side, medication and comorbidities.