Transportation After Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery in New Jersey

Transportation After Joint Replacement: Why You Can't Drive and What to Do

Hip and knee replacement surgery are among the most common orthopedic procedures performed in New Jersey, with tens of thousands of patients undergoing joint replacement annually at facilities like Saint Joseph's University Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, and others. For most patients, the surgical procedure goes well and recovery progresses steadily — but there is a predictable and unavoidable challenge: you cannot drive for weeks after surgery.

For patients who live alone, whose family members have work obligations, or who have frequent post-surgical appointments, this driving restriction creates a real logistical challenge. This guide explains why driving is restricted post-replacement, what medical transport options are available in NJ, and most importantly — how to plan transport before your surgery so you're not scrambling afterward.

Why Patients Can't Drive After Joint Replacement

The driving restriction after hip or knee replacement is not arbitrary — it reflects several legitimate medical realities:

• Anesthesia effects — General anesthesia and some regional anesthetics affect reaction time and judgment for 24-48 hours after surgery, during which driving is absolutely prohibited.
• Opioid pain medications — Most joint replacement patients are prescribed opioid or opioid-adjacent pain medications in the immediate post-surgical period. These medications significantly impair driving ability and make driving while on them both dangerous and illegal.
• Physical limitations — For hip replacement: hip flexion and rotation precautions may prevent the hip movement required to safely operate a vehicle. For knee replacement: sufficient knee bend to enter and exit a vehicle and to operate pedals safely may not be possible immediately post-surgery.
• Surgeon restrictions — Most orthopedic surgeons specifically prohibit driving for 4-6 weeks post-surgery for leg replacement (right-side surgeries are generally more restrictive, as the right foot operates the gas and brake). Always follow your surgeon's specific guidance.

Types of Medical Transport Needed After Joint Replacement

Post-replacement patients typically need transport for several types of appointments during recovery:

Hospital Discharge (Day of or Day After Surgery)

This is the most time-sensitive transport need. Hospital discharge after joint replacement typically occurs 1-3 days after surgery. The patient will need transport from the hospital to their home or to a rehabilitation facility. Planning this transport before the surgery date eliminates last-minute scrambling. Delta's hospital discharge transport service handles this routinely — speak with the hospital discharge planner at admission to arrange it.

Follow-Up Appointments with the Surgeon

Most orthopedic surgeons schedule a follow-up 2 weeks post-surgery for wound check and staple/suture removal, and again at 4-6 weeks for functional assessment. These appointments are critical — transport must be reliable.

Outpatient Physical Therapy

After discharge, joint replacement patients typically attend outpatient physical therapy 2-3 times per week for 4-8 weeks. This is the most frequent transport need in the post-surgical recovery period — often 2-3 trips per week for 4-8 weeks. A standing transport order for physical therapy trips is highly recommended. See our transport service page for details.

Wound Care Center

Some patients with wound healing complications require visits to wound care centers during recovery. These appointments may be weekly or more frequent.

Lab and Imaging Appointments

Post-replacement patients on blood thinners (warfarin, Xarelto) require periodic INR monitoring and lab draws. These are brief appointments but require transport if the patient cannot drive.

Wheelchair Van vs. Ambulatory Transport for Early Recovery

The vehicle type needed after joint replacement evolves rapidly during recovery:

• Day of discharge (1-3 days post-surgery) — Many patients use a walker and are technically ambulatory but very limited. They may not need a wheelchair van but do need significant transfer assistance. A driver who can provide hands-on lift assist and help the patient enter and exit the vehicle is essential at this stage.
• Week 1-2 — Most patients can manage with an ambulatory vehicle with driver assistance. Walker users need extra time and patient driver support for boarding.
• Week 3-6 — Most patients are progressing well with physical therapy and can manage standard ambulatory transport more independently, though driver assistance is still appreciated.

For patients using a wheelchair during early recovery (some patients are discharged from rehabilitation facilities in a wheelchair), a wheelchair van is appropriate and Delta can provide this. When booking, tell the dispatcher your current mobility status and assistive device so the right vehicle is dispatched.

What to Communicate When Booking Post-Surgical Transport

When booking transport after joint replacement, provide:

• Surgery date and which joint was replaced (right hip, left knee, etc.)
• Any weight-bearing restrictions from your surgeon (partial weight-bearing, toe-touch only, full weight-bearing as tolerated)
• Current mobility device (walker, cane, crutches, wheelchair)
• Hip precautions if applicable (no hip flexion beyond 90°, no crossing legs — relevant for vehicle entry technique)
• Whether you have stairs at your pickup address
• Appointment destination and type
• Whether you need standing orders for physical therapy appointments

Medicaid Coverage for Post-Surgical Transport

NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) covers NEMT for medically necessary trips related to covered medical services. Post-joint-replacement appointments with your surgeon, physical therapy, wound care, and labs are all typically covered medical services. NEMT to these appointments is thus covered for eligible Medicaid members.

For physical therapy (which requires frequent transport), a recurring authorization from your MCO should be obtained before your first post-surgical PT appointment. Your orthopedic surgeon's office or the hospital discharge planner can help initiate this. Visit our insurance page for more detail on Medicaid NEMT coverage.

Medicare Advantage Coverage for Post-Surgical Transport

Many Medicare Advantage plans in NJ include NEMT as a supplemental benefit that covers post-surgical transport to follow-up appointments and therapy. Check your plan's Summary of Benefits and contact member services to confirm coverage and authorization requirements for post-surgical transport. If your plan has annual ride limits, plan ahead to ensure you have sufficient rides available during the recovery period.

Planning Transport Before Your Surgery

The single most important piece of advice in this guide: arrange transport before your surgery date, not after. Pre-surgical transport planning:

1. Ask your orthopedic surgeon's office for your expected discharge date and post-surgical appointment schedule
2. Contact your MCO (if Medicaid or Medicare Advantage) to discuss authorization for post-surgical NEMT before your surgery
3. Call Delta before your surgery to set up discharge transport and standing orders for PT, with a confirmed date range
4. Tell your hospital's discharge planner that Delta will be handling your transport
5. Have Delta's phone number and your booking confirmation accessible when you wake up after surgery

Contact Delta Medical Transportation today to start planning your post-surgical transport. Our team can work with you, your surgeon's office, and the hospital discharge planner to ensure seamless transport from day one of recovery. We serve patients throughout Passaic County, Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, and Morris County.

Plan Your Recovery Transport Now

Don't wait until discharge day to think about getting home from the hospital and to your follow-up appointments. Delta Medical Transportation makes post-surgical transport planning easy. Contact us today or call (973) 389-3110. Visit our FAQ page and insurance page for more information.