Abstracts Posters SICOT-SOF meeting Gothenburg 2010 _2_

Poster
Topic: Arthroplasty - Systemic
Abstract number: 25484
WHEN TO RETURN TO DRIVING FOLLOWING LOWER LIMB ARTHROPLASTY.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE DECISION?
Neil JAIN, James MATHESON, David KNOWLES
Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster (UNITED KINGDOM)
Introduction: Many patients wish to return to driving following lower limb arthroplasty.
However, it is unclear who is responsible for making the decision when they are fit to
return to driving following such surgery as no British Orthopaedic Association (BOA),
British Hip Society (BHS) or British Association of Surgery of the Knee (BASK)
guidelines exist.We investigated whether insurance companies or the driver and
vehicle licensing agency (DVLA) provided protocols and guidelines regarding
returning to driving following hip (THR) and knee (TKR) arthroplasty. Methods: A
telephone survey of 18 national and international insurances companies was
conducted using 6 questions concerning different aspects of surgery and driving. We
also contacted the DVLA to inquire as to whether or not they had any
recommendations. Results: 18 companies (100%) had a procedure. 16 (89%)
suggested following the surgeon’s advice. 2 companies (11%) recommended the
patient inform the DVLA and follow the surgeon’s advice. None (0%) differentiated
between THR and TKR, automatic or manual gearbox and left or right lower limb.
None could provide evidence of what their respective policies were based upon.The
DVLA stated that THR and TKR are not notifiable conditions and therefore
recommend patients follow their surgeon’s advice. Conclusions: The surgeon is
ultimately responsible for the recommendation of when a patient is fit to return to
driving following THR and TKR. This finding may encourage learned societies such
as the BOA, BHS and BASK to introduce guidelines to aid the surgeon advising their
patients following such surgery.
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