How Long After Hand Surgery Can I Drive?

Hand and wrist injuries are very common, making up about a quarter of emergency room visits and a large part of plastic surgery cases. After hand surgery, people often experience temporary issues with hand function, which can affect their ability to drive. While there are clear rules for driving after a permanent disability, it’s less clear what to do after a temporary one, or who should decide when it’s safe to drive again. Let’s find out when to resume driving following hand surgery.

Factors Affecting our Ability to Drive Post-Hand Surgery

When you can start driving again after hand surgery depends on several things, including:

1. Anesthesia Type: If you had local anesthesia (numbing the hand) without sedation, you may be able to drive sooner. If you had general anesthesia, you should wait at least 24 hours, since it can affect your thinking and reaction time.
2. Surgery Details: The type and location of the surgery matter. If only one hand had a small procedure, you might drive within a couple of days. But if both hands were operated on, or the surgery was more complex, you would likely need to wait longer.
3. Pain and Movement: If pain makes it hard to grip or turn the wheel or move your hand comfortably, it’s not safe to drive. You should also be able to use both hands and have enough strength and motion.
4. Medications: Strong pain medications like opioids can make you drowsy and slow your reactions. Don’t drive if your medicine affects your alertness.

Average Timeframe to Resume Driving Post-Surgery

The time it takes to start driving again after hand surgery depends on certain factors. However, the following is what to expect:

Right After Surgery: Your hand will likely be in a splint or cast, you may be in pain, and the anesthesia can affect your alertness. You will need someone to drive you home.
One to Two Weeks After Surgery: Most people still can’t drive because of pain, limited hand movement, or medication side effects. If the surgery was minor, like carpal tunnel release, some patients may start driving around on day nine if they feel comfortable and have good movement.
Two to Six Weeks After Surgery: Many people are able to drive again during this time. You will likely have better hand strength and less pain. Surgeries like wrist fracture repairs or tendon surgeries often allow driving again in four to six weeks.
Eight to 10 Weeks After Surgery: If you had a more serious surgery or needed to wear a cast or splint for a long time, it might take up to 10 weeks before you’re ready to drive.
Personal Readiness: You should only drive when you can grip and control the steering wheel, aren’t in pain or taking drowsy medications, and aren’t limited by a cast or splint. Always make sure you feel safe and confident before driving again.

Can You Drive with a Splint On Your Hand?

Driving with a splint on your hand is usually unsafe because it can make it harder to control the vehicle and increase the risk of accidents. While there may not be strict laws against it in some places, police can still fine you if they think you’re not in full control of the car. Also, your insurance might not cover you if you get into an accident while wearing a splint. Your surgeon might also not allow this due to restricted hand movement.

Things to Do While Recovering from Hand Surgery

Recovering from hand surgery takes time, as well as following your doctor’s advice. The following tips can make recovery quick and easy:

• Keep everyday items within easy reach and use chairs with armrests for support
• Cook and freeze meals in light containers to avoid heavy lifting
• Use light-weight cups or straws to drink without straining your hand
• Cover your hand in a plastic bag when showering, and don’t soak it in water
• Raise your hand above heart level to reduce swelling
• Take your medication as directed to stay comfortable
• Go to follow-up visits, so your doctor can track your healing
• Hand exercises help you heal faster; just follow your therapist’s instructions
• Let friends or family help with daily tasks and rides
• A good mindset and effort in rehab can really boost your recovery

Wrapping Up

The safest way to return to driving after hand surgery is to take it slow and stay aware of how you feel each day. Just because you feel okay to drive one day doesn’t mean you will feel the same the next. So, don’t rush and keep following your surgeon’s advice.

Visit a hand and upper extremity specialist at Randy Y. Luo, MD, MBA, for broken hand treatments. Our doctor is a part of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and the American Association for Hand Surgery. Call us today to book an appointment.