How Long After ACL Surgery Can You Drive?

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a surgical procedure that involves removing the torn or injured ACL and replacing it with a graft tendon. The graft is either taken from your own body (autograft- patellar tendon, hamstring, or quadriceps) or from a deceased donor (allograft).

Recovery and rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction surgery are fundamental aspects that decide the fate of the new graft and how well and quickly the patients heal. Advanced technologies used with state-of-the-art equipment in ACL reconstruction have proven to improve the quality of life in the days to come. 

In the weeks following the surgery, you will want to return to your normal activities as soon as possible. This includes people who want to regain their freedom and no longer want to depend on their family members; driving is one of the areas. After ACL surgery, your body is the most vulnerable in the initial weeks. Hence you need to discuss with your surgeon and physical therapist and plan a recovery program. The timeline to resume driving after ACL surgery and tips to help you cope with driving are discussed further. 

What Are The General Considerations With Driving After ACL Reconstruction Surgery?

The general rule to resume driving is whether you have your surgeon and physical therapist’s approval. Here are some points to consider as you recover from ACL surgery and look forward to getting behind the wheel: 

• Many of you may consider yourself fit to resume driving, but this totally depends on the range of motion of your knee joint.
• You need to regain your knee stability and flexibility and be able to move your leg back and forth.
• You need to get back to your normal reaction time. 
• If your right knee has been operated on, it may take a little longer since you primarily use your right leg most of the time for driving.
• Your pain should be under control, which would not lead to discomfort when you push/apply the brakes.
• Pain medications should be generally taken during the night because, when taken before driving can make you drowsy and delay your reaction time.
• You should have enough quadriceps muscle strength to push the brake pedal.

How Long After ACL Surgery Can You Drive?

The recovery timeline is different for different individuals. There is no standard timeline to resume driving after ACL reconstruction surgery. However, it differs depending on the following factors:

• Driving after ACL surgery on the right knee
  • This may take a longer time since your right leg is the primarily used leg for all activities.
  • It may take 3 to 6 weeks to resume driving.
• Driving after ACL surgery on the left leg
  • If you have surgery on your left leg and drive an automatic transmission vehicle, it may take 1 to 2 weeks to resume driving.
• The type of graft tendon used
  • If you had surgery using an allograft (tendon tissue taken from a deceased donor), it would take 3 weeks to resume driving.
  • If you had the surgery using an autograft (tendon tissue taken from your own body), it would take longer to recover to resume driving.
  • Patellar tendon autografts take more time than hamstring tendon grafts. 
  • With a hamstring tendon graft, you can resume driving within 6 weeks following surgery.

Testing Your Capacity to Drive After ACL Surgery

Before you attempt to drive on public roads, try to drive in a safe and controlled environment, such as an empty park. Once you practice and safely perform all the emergency stop procedures and all the activities necessary for driving, you may consider returning to busy public roads. If you find yourself in pain or discomfort while driving, stop immediately.

Few Tips to Drive Safe After an ACL Reconstruction

Once you get clearance from your surgeon these tips will help you drive safely after an ACL surgery: 

• Adjust your seat and mirrors: Make sure that your seat is positioned in a way that allows you to comfortably operate the pedals and steering wheel. Adjust your mirrors to reduce the strain on your knee and avoid awkward movements.
• Use a cushion: Use a cushion to raise your leg and reduce pressure on your knee. This will also help you avoid twisting your knee, which can cause pain or discomfort.
• Plan your route: Avoid routes that require you to make frequent stops and starts, as these can put extra strain on your knee.
• Avoid rush hour traffic: If possible, plan your trips during off-peak hours to avoid heavy traffic and the stress that comes with it.
• Take breaks: Stop every hour or so to stretch and move your knee. This will help prevent stiffness and keep your circulation flowing.
• Gradually increase your driving time: Start with short trips and gradually increase the length of your trips as your knee becomes stronger.

Besides this, you should also check your car insurance policy. Checking with your car insurer will help you know of any restrictions on driving the car. If you are able to get back to driving, it will help you return to your normal daily life early.

Takeaway

It takes around 6 to 12 months to fully recover after ACL reconstruction surgery. However, you may be able to resume driving after about 2 to 6 weeks. Take care of yourself and follow your orthopedic surgeon’s instructions carefully. Every individual has a different recovery timeline since the healing process takes place at a different pace.  You need to stay focused on healing because resuming any regular activity without proper healing will only do more harm.

With time, patience, and a positive attitude, you can return to the road in no time. Get in touch with our experienced orthopedic surgeons at Medfin to guide you better about the recovery process  after an ACL surgery.

Disclaimer:

The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.