19 Mar Precautions with Getting in and out of the Car: from 06/19/2024
How to navigate car transfer with knee, spine, or hip precautions.
Knee: There are no real precautions after knee replacement surgery. Mostly you will be limited by pain and range of motion. To help with transfer in/out of car follow these suggestions:
Turn so that back is toward seat. Sit slowly, with operated leg extended. Make sure seat is all the way back, recline seat back as needed. You can use your hand to lift operated leg into car, or ask for help from your caregiver. You can put a pillow under lower thigh or under foot for comfort.
Spine: Remember no bending, lifting, or twisting. Start with back to seat, slowing sit down keeping back straight. Pivot on bottom, keep knees together and keep shoulders and hips in line. If you can, lift both legs into/out of car together, if not, keep knees close together. You can move at shoulders to buckle, do not twist spine by keeping both shoulders on seat back, or ask for assist.
Hip: Depending on your surgery, you might have different precautions. Generally, keep knees close together. Do not cross knees, do not let knees get far apart. Recline seat back and or use firm cushion to maintain hip position in relation to knees, with hips above knees or back extended if knees will slightly go above hips. Keep operated leg slightly extended, back to seat and sit slowly. You may need assist to lift leg into car, or use hands to lift.
Hope this helps!!
If you have more specific questions, please email us at: questions@myrehabanswers.com
or schedule a 1:1 consultation!!
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