Driving reaction time after right knee arthroscopy

Driving reaction times of 30 right knee arthroscopy patients were measured using a computer-linked car simulator. Each patient was tested pre-operatively and 1 week after and 4 weeks after arthroscopy. As controls, 25 normal subjects were also tested. In the control group the average reaction time was 634 ms; the measurements at 1 week and at 4 weeks were 550 ms and 582 ms, respectively. In the arthroscopy group the average reaction time pre-operatively was 736 ms; the measurements 1 week and 4 weeks post-operatively were 920 ms and 685 ms, respectively. Two clinical tests (the stepping and standing tests) were also performed at each assessment. Statistical analysis showed a good correlation between these and reaction time. We conclude that it is appropriate for patients to delay their return to driving for at least 1 week, and that the actual timing of return to driving may be determined by performance on these two clinical tests.