Article

OBJECTIVE: To show the possible effect of left- and right-side total hip
arthroplasty (THA) on the ability to perform an emergency stop when driving a
car. DESIGN: Inception cohort. SETTING: A driving simulator using an actual car
cabin, specifically developed for the experiment, was used for testing driving
ability. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=40; 20 left-side THA/20 right-side THA) were
tested preoperatively and in increments of 8 days and 6, 12, and 52 weeks after
surgery. INTERVENTIONS:
Left- and right-side THA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reaction
time, movement time, total brake response time (TBRT), and maximum brake force.
RESULTS: Eight days postoperatively, measurements on driving performance
indicated a slight worsening for all outcome parameters in patients after
left-side THA and considerably more worsening in patients after right-side THA.
For both patient groups, significant improvements in outcome measures were noted
during the 1-year follow-up. Brake force declined significantly in patients with
left-side THA (P=.012) and in patients after right-side THA (P<.001). A total of
35% of the patients with right-side THA and 15% with left-side THA could not meet
the 600 ms TBRT threshold 6 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who
underwent right-side THA reached their preoperative baseline 6 weeks after
surgery. Most of the patients with left-side THA showed no TBRT limitations 8
days postoperatively. Because of the patients' highly individual rehabilitation
course and considering the possible consequences of the premature resumption of
driving a motor vehicle, individual examination and recommendation are necessary.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS