How Long After ACL Surgery Can A Woman Drive?

Dr. Johnson explains how long a woman will have to wait to drive following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.

Dr. Johnson:
Generally, returning to driving after ACL surgery is when you are off your crutches, and you now have good control of the major muscle groups of your thigh, hip and lower leg, and obviously, you are off your narcotic pain medicine. Generally, a simple thing that all of us can remember is if you are laying flat on your bed and you can you keep your legs straight and lift it off the bed and count to 10, you are ready to drive.

So it’s an easy thing to explain to patients because that tells me they have got a good control of their leg, and then they are safe to drive, and that should take anywhere from 14 to 21 days after ACL surgery.

About Dr. Johnson, M.D.:
Dr. Darren L. Johnson, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles and his fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Dr. Johnson is currently Professor and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Kentucky. His clinical interests include arthroscopy, knee and shoulder reconstruction and the double-bundle procedure for ACL repair.

Dr. Johnson was named among the Top Doctors for Women by Women’s Health magazine in 2008.

Visit Dr. Johnson at the University of Kentucky