Getting in/out of car

[MarciaD]

I guess this question should be on the "recovery" page.

I am concerned about getting in/out of my car on my way home from the hospital. When I had my original THR, my car was a 85 Thunderbird and someone getting in/out the car went okay but I was 12 years younger. Now I have a Acura Legend and I fear I cannot get in/out with the 90 degree rule in mind.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

 

[newwheels08]

I have a similar size car, and for the hospital return after a bilateral THR I had to use the back seat and literally back into the car using may arms braced against the seat back and rear deck. Bending at the knees and keeping torso in line my legs as much as possible. once I made contact with the seat, I then slid straight in, and had to lay out diagonally for the ride home. The hospital attendant almost dislocated my left leg when I tried the front seat first. He forced my leg to go in and it inward rotated, very painful. I am a large guy so depending on size it may be different for you.

After 2 weeks I started using the front seat by moving the seat as far back as possible, then reclining it half way and lowering the seat all the way, and used a similar entry technique backing in and bracing my arms against the dash and seat back and lowering into the car...and then once seated lay back against the reclined seat, and carefully pivot legs into the car one at a time at first..and later at the same time... A bit awkward at first. But easier every day.

 

[Josephine]

Can't improve on that answer - first hand experience is always best!

 

[mikey]

Gosh, I thought the whole pupose of having the surgery was to be able to do things like get out of the car and tie your shoes without pain.

This concerns me.

Mike

 

[newwheels08]

This is just during the early recovery stages and getting safely home from the hospital (for me 3 days post op)...once healed... things should be much easier. I am at almost 6 weeks now, and car access (among many other things) is much better and more like normal.

 

[Josephine]

Gosh, I thought the whole pupose of having the surgery was to be able to do things like get out of the car and tie your shoes without pain.

This concerns me.

Mike

Oh gosh no! That is, as newwheels said, just in the early days when the operation site is still painful and there is a risk of dislocation. Once that period is up - about 10-12 weeks - you should be free to do what ever you want and, what's more important, able to.

 

[MarciaD]

Thank you for the responses. I have another question. My surgery will be a revision and I don't remember whether bending my knee to get in is terribly painful. I'm trying to learn how to get in the car again with the 90 degree thing and am able to do it but must bend my knee toward the carseat to make room for my leg.

I'm only thinking of the ride home from the hospital. I do remember the car rides from then on and they went fine.