How long after arthroscopy can i drive

On the whole it is better to wait longer if you or the patient do not feel confident about their emergency braking ability. The use of both arms is essential to safely operate an unmodified vehicle. It has been shown that anyone wearing an upper extremity cast would fail a driving test. This applies to above elbow and below elbow casts and is worse when the thumb is included in the cast.

Drivers in casts tend to have worse responses to hazards in a driving simulator and also drive more cautiously. Drivers wearing a sling were involved in significantly more crashes than those using both arms. Even healthy volunteers wearing a sling had impaired driving ability. It is my recommendation that any patient wearing any form of upper limb splint or sling not operate a motor vehicle.

To view further information on driving guidelines please click on this link: Driving after Surgery Guidelines Dr Doron Sher. Total recovery time for an ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair is weeks, and it varies with each individual. Patients may drive after pain medication, but when the right knee is affected, the patient must wait for weeks before resuming driving.

If the patient has a desk job, they may be able to return 7days after surgery. However, if their job requires lots of standing, the patient should wait to return until weeks after surgery. Resumption of sports will depend on the type of repair and your surgeon will determine when you can resume sports.

Arthroscopic surgery to remove all or part of the torn meniscus, is a common surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is outpatient same day surgery with local or regional anesthetic. An uncomplicated meniscectomy will resolve most of the pain fairly quickly, but swelling and stiffness take time to resolve.

It may take months for full healing. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery. Crutches will be necessary for days after surgery.

Rehabilitation to gain full ROM should occur within weeks. Heavy work or sports may be restricted for the first weeks. Followed by 2 weeks of limited motion before resuming daily activities. Physical therapy starts right after surgery. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery with a brace. The patient is expected to walk with crutches for weeks after surgery. Rehabilitation is intended to control pan and swelling, achieve maximum range of motion and full load walking.

Patients with a low impact job can return to work weeks after surgery, drive after weeks, and return to heavy work or sports months after surgery. Articular cartilage is the cartilage at the end of the bones. Damage can occur from trauma or normal wear and tear.

Arthroscopy is used to remove loose pieces of cartilage. If you have a brace, leave it on except when you exercise your knee or you shower. Be careful not to put the brace back on too tight. You will use it for about 2 to 6 weeks. If your doctor does not want you to shower or remove your brace, you can take a sponge bath. Wait 2 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay before you take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your leg.

You can drive when you are no longer using crutches or a knee brace, are no longer taking prescription pain medicine, and have some control over your knee.

This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. How soon you can return to work depends on your job. If you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks. But if you are on your feet at work, it may take 4 to 6 weeks. If you are very physically active in your job, it may take 3 to 6 months. You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Drink plenty of fluids. You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines. If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if and when to start taking it again.

Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. Take pain medicines exactly as directed. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics. If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach: Take your medicine after meals unless your doctor has told you not to.

Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine. If you have a bandage over your incisions, keep the bandage clean and dry. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Some doctors want to see you before you take it off, while others may let you take it off 48 to 72 hours after your surgery. If you have strips of tape on the incisions, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off. Keep the area clean and dry. Rehab exercises are an important part of your treatment. Your first exercises will help you improve your knee's movement and regain your muscle strength. To reduce swelling and pain, put ice or a cold pack on your knee for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Do this every few hours.