We understand that you want to get back to normal daily activities as quickly as possible following shoulder surgery, but it’s important that you approach this return to normalcy in a safe manner, otherwise you could be putting your health at risk. One of the most common questions we get asked from patients who are set to undergo a shoulder procedure is in regards to when they’ll be able to drive following the operation.
As you may imagine, there are a lot of factors that go into answering this question. In today’s blog, we look at some of those factors and try to provide some clarity on when you’ll be able to drive again after surgery.
Driving After Shoulder Surgery
We’re not going to be able to give you a definitive answer that applies to all types of shoulder surgeries, but we can explain some of the factors your surgeon will discuss with you when helping you understand when to expect to get behind the wheel again. That said, one thing is for certain – don’t plan on driving home from your procedure. You will almost assuredly still be affected by anesthesia or pain medications that were administered as part of your care, and these will render you unsafe to drive. Plan to have someone else drive you home after your shoulder surgery.
Let’s examine some of the factors that can influence when you can drive again after shoulder surgery:
- The Operation – There are a variety of different shoulder procedures, some of which are more invasive than others. If you’re undergoing a minimally invasive procedure to address weakened rotator cuff ligaments, you’ll likely be able to drive sooner than someone who is having their shoulder replaced. Your specific operation will influence when you can return to driving after surgery.
- Pain Tolerance – Your ability to handle discomfort can affect your ability to get back to driving after shoulder surgery. You’re going to need two hands on the wheel when driving, and even if your other arm is doing more of the work, if it’s still very uncomfortable or painful to have your arm on the wheel for guidance, you’ll want to wait a bit to start driving. Also, if you’re taking pain medications to help with your recovery, driving may not be advised while you’re under the influence of these pain relievers.
- Sling – As we mentioned above, it is not recommended to drive while your arm is in a sling. If you need to wear a sling for six weeks following your operation, expect that you won’t be driving for six weeks either.
- Age and Overall Health – Your age and your overall health may also impact when you can drive again after shoulder surgery. Younger, healthier patients tend to recover a little faster than other populations, meaning they may be able to drive sooner than others as they progress through their rehab.
- Your Vehicle – It seems like there are fewer manual cars on the road today than decades ago, but if you still drive a manual transmission, you may need to wait a little longer to get back behind the wheel if you had surgery on your right shoulder, as it will need to be strong enough to effectively and safely operate the gear shift.
We can’t sit here and say that you should be able to safely drive two weeks or six weeks after your procedure. That is a conversation that will need to happen between you and your provider. They will be able to look at your specific operation and recovery goals and provide a better timeline than any generic guide you’ll find on the internet. That said, how you’re managing the above factors can help you understand if you’re getting close to being able to drive again after surgery.
If you believe you’re able to drive, make sure you get clearance from your treating physician. Driving too soon can cause problems for your surgically-repaired shoulder and can make you a hazard to yourself and others on the roads, so it’s not something to take lightly. Expect to need some assistance getting around for a little while after shoulder surgery, but have this conversation with your shoulder surgeon so that you have a better idea of when you may be physically capable of driving again after shoulder surgery.
For more information about driving after shoulder surgery or about shoulder surgeries in general, connect with Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
