Brake reaction times following total hip replacement

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    "When can I drive again doctor?" Patient's brake reaction times following modern total hip replacements in the UK

  • IRAS ID

    275488

  • Contact name

    Hugh Stewart

  • Contact email

    hugh.stewart@mbht.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 7 days

  • Research summary

    Hip replacement is a common procedure performed in the UK. Patients undergoing such procedures are usually doing so to alleviate pain and maintain function and therefore improve quality of life. Much emphasis in the past few years has been placed on enhanced recovery programmes and rehabilitation. When a patient returns to driving after surgery is often left up to the clinician and patient to determine and much advice is based on outdated evidence and older implants. There are few studies addressing this question in the world literature. Even the driving and vehicle licensing authority (DVLA) offer vague guidance to drivers and clinicians regarding musculoskeletal procedures and when people should return to driving after them. Most clinicians use the surrogate that when a patient can safely perform an emergency stop they are fit to drive.
    Another aspect of this is how the hip replacement is performed. There are several soft tissue approaches to the hip with the commonest in the UK being the posterior approach (from the back). The anterior approach (from the front), also being performed in the UK, theoretically offers patients a muscle sparing approach and so a faster return to normal activities such as driving. We wish to not only confirm the previous statement but also determine the time all hip replacement patients perceive that they are able to drive post surgery and their brake reaction time as well as the force of this braking pre and post surgery.
    Our research question is at what time can patients undergoing hip replacement surgery be told they should be safe to drive a standard UK manual drive car. We would also be looking at patient groups i.e. age groups, hip approach types, and side of operation as well as driving habits to see if there are any significant differences.

  • REC name

    South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/SC/0052

  • Date of REC Opinion

    15 Mar 2021

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion