Doctor when can I drive? A systematic review and meta-analysis of brake reaction time in patients returning to driving after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)

Background: A common question from patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is when they may return to driving. Purpose: We aimed to perform a formal systematic review and meta-analysis to address this issue. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included OVID, EMBASE, and COCHRANE through July 2024 for articles with keywords and MeSH terms like “Hip arthroscopy,” “Femoroacetabular Impingement,” “total brake response time,” and “reaction time” related to driving. Titles and full articles were reviewed for quality and relevance. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager Version 5.4. A total of 39 articles were reviewed, with 5 meeting inclusion criteria. All selected articles used brake reaction time (BRT) as an outcome measure. A meta-analysis compared pre- and postoperative BRT values. Data were analysed for the right and left hips combined, followed by a subgroup analysis by laterality. BRT values were divided into preoperative and 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperative periods. Results: The studies assessed 160 patients, with 142 undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI. The mean age was 32.75 ± 9.4 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 73:69. The right hip was affected in 68% of patients. Preoperative BRT ranged from 566 to 1960 milliseconds, while postoperative BRT ranged from 567 to 1860 milliseconds between week 2 and week 12. Conclusions: BRTs returned to baseline or control values and continued to improve 4 weeks post-surgery for FAI. It is safe to recommend a return to driving at 4 weeks after hip arthroscopy for FAI.