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  • Getting in/out of car after surgery

    Hi All,

    I recently spoke with a patient referral who is fused from T10 to L4. She told me that she can no longer get in and out of a car and has had to switch to a SUV. Is this another item to put on your checklist of things to do beforehand? Swap your sedan for a SUV? I drive a 4-passenger mid-size car and will require a long fusion to the sacrum. For those of you with long fusions, is it impossible to get in and out of a car after surgery?

    Thanks for any replies.

    Chris

  • #2
    Hi Chris...

    When I was leaving the hospital, the physical therapist came out to the car with me and showed me how to get in and out by myself. I'm sure some car seats are easier than others, but I've never seen any concensus on the subject.

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment


    • #3
      Chris,
      Difficulty getting in and out of the car depends on the type of car you have and how low it is to the ground. At the time of my surgery, we had 3 vehicles; a Ford Ranger pick-up truck, a Ford Focus and a newer Ford Escort (can you tell we're a Ford family or what?). The Ranger was by far the easiest to get in and out of for me, but the seat backs became uncomfortable. I could get in and out of the Focus too but it did take some effort in the first few weeks because my lower back muscles weren't strong enough. I needed to hold my hubby's arm to get in and out. As for the Escort...forget it! To this day, I have to really take my time getting in and out of it and it takes real effort.

      2 months after surgery, hubby traded in the Focus for a Mazda Tribute (small SUV) and I drive this almost exclusively now. The seat is at the same height as my bum, so I just slide right in! I miss my pick-up though and if the seatback were more comfortable and the gas prices weren't so high...I would be right back in it!

      I don't think you need to trade in your car though unless it sits really low to the ground...your body will adjust.

      Comment


      • #4
        Vehicle seat heights

        Chris, I am fused from T10 to L4 and can get in and out of anything! I went to my 1st post-op check up in our corvette because it was a beautiful day (top down) and it had a smoother ride then my Lexus 330! (small SUV) I did need a hand up to get out but I was only 2 weeks out of surgery. I would be more concerned with the seat backs of different vehicles. We have a Denali truck with the hardest lumbar support seats! Even if I deflate it all the way it still pushes hard into where I am still swollen. Ouch. I do agree the seat right at the leval of your butt is best, however I can do all different heights. You learn to turn your whole body out the door and stand or sit and turn in (I used the steering wheel if ness to pull my body around and in.). This might be tough with cloth seats I just thought of, But a dry cleaning bag or plastic bag on cloth would slide...............

        Comment


        • #5
          Chris,
          I'm fused from T4-S1 and drive a small 4 door Hondi. Like Linda my PT showed me how to get in and out of the car. I actually have more trouble getting in and out of SUV's and trucks because I'm short and have to practically pole vault in and out.
          SandyC

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          • #6
            I can get into most of my family's cars at this point. I still need a little hand getting out.
            Jenn
            37 y/o female
            60 degree lumbar
            45 degree thoracic
            1st time anterior/posterior surgery May 8th and 10th 2006
            T 5 to S 1
            NYC

            Comment


            • #7
              Hi Suzy...

              I'm wondering if you were told not to break the 90 degree barrier (the degree of plane difference between your torso and your legs) during the early postop period. It seems to me that sitting in the seat of a sports car would definitely break that barrier.

              Regards,
              Linda
              Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
              Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

              Comment


              • #8
                getting into/out of car

                The PTs at the rehab hospital showed me how to get into our Suburu Legacy.
                I now have absolutely no problem in my small Mazda protege or our new Prius.

                I do NOT suggest buying a new car. It's really not necessary. Putting some slippery plastic over a cushion is helpful in any car.

                I am concerned that people on the forum think that surgery is causing MORE disability. It's only temporary. Healing and normal life DO follow.
                Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thank you Karen for that much-needed reassurance. The posts have been on the alarming side lately...

                  But to ask another question about the car issue: I drive a Honda Civic stick-shift -- wouldn't that be tricky after surgery? Actually, it hurts me some days even now...pushing in the clutch particularly. Since my car is as old as dirt, I'm thinking about trading it in anyway..
                  Chris
                  A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
                  Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
                  Post-op curve: 12 degrees
                  Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    stick shift after surgery???

                    Both of my cars after surgery were stick shift 5 speed. No problem.

                    Try no to go crazy over these things; it's not necessary.
                    Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                    Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Crazy?? who's going crazy???

                      Not me !!! Calm and cool as a cucumber!!
                      Chris
                      A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
                      Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
                      Post-op curve: 12 degrees
                      Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Chris, I have no problem getting in and out of cars due to the surgery. I do have problems though because of being height challenged!
                        Theresa

                        April 8 & 12, 2004 - Anterior/Posterior surgery 15 hours & 7 hours
                        Thorasic - 79 degree down to 22
                        Lumbar - 44 degree down to 18
                        Fused T2 to sacrum
                        June 2, 2005 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @L3 7 hours
                        MAY 21, 2007 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @ L2, extended the fusion to S2 and added pelvic instrumentation 9 hours

                        FUSED T2 - SACRUM 2

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks for all your responses. It's reassuring to know that I will not have to sell my car if I decide on surgery. And with the way my back feels today, surgery is looking more and more like a future event for me.

                          Chris

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Hey Chris, If you really want a new car you could use surgerey as an excuse to hubby! LOL!

                            Linda, never heard of the 90* barrier. Sitting in that car was more like a recliner with the leg rest up. Not an ussue any more a 83 y o man ran a red light and broadsided it and totaled it. Family was ok due to titaniun steel bar in door plus air bags. I was not in the car.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hi Suzy...

                              I drove an XK8 until about a year ago, so I'm pretty familiar with the posture. I think the problem is that one's butt is lower than one's knees.

                              Regards,
                              Linda
                              Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                              Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                              Comment

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