Patients are all anxious to get back to an active lifestyle after surgery.
The specific activities allowed will depend on the surgery performed and how well you as a patient are recovering.
People commonly want to know when they can drive. This requires that patients not be on narcotics for the 4 hour period prior to operating a motor vehicle. It also requires the dexterity to safely control the vehicle with hand and arm controls as would be required in an emergency such as having to swerve or slam on the brakes. If pain, swelling, or weakness inhibit the ability to safely control the vehicle in an emergency driving should not be done at that time.
If patients have leg surgery there may be restrictions on the amount of weight they are allowed to put on that limb when walking until a certain amount of healing time has passed. This varies based on the injury and or surgery performed. Similarly, after arm or hand surgery there are often restrictions as to how much movement can occur or how much weight can be lifted. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations as they pertain to your diagnosis and surgical procedure.
Returning to work is dependent on the diagnosis and treatment rendered. The demands of the job will also dictate to some degree the speed with which patients can return to work. More sedentary office type jobs are usually easier to return to than physically demanding occupations like construction work. Your doctor can give you specific advice.
Patients often have questions about when they can travel, return to sports, or engage in sexual activity after surgery. These questions are important and the answers depend on the diagnosis and treatment. Ask your doctor about your specific situation for the best advice.
