Sit, Slip and Pivot

I was in immense pain prior to my first hip replacement. It didn’t seem to matter whether I was sitting, standing, moving or sleeping. It all hurt.

At the time, I had  fabric car seats, which seemed as if they were made of Velcro® – there was resistance created by my pants rubbing against the fabric of the car seats. I would try to get into the car with the minimum amount of pain possible, but I would have to shimmy and shift, inch by excruciating inch. I’d finally be seated, almost ready to go – for those who don’t know, that simple, everyday task can take a lot out of you when movement is restricted and painful.

You remember Anne S. – she’s that pragmatic physiotherapist I mentioned here.  She suggested the following tip to make it easier to get in and out of the car:

1. Get a plastic bag or one of those large plastic-coated shopping bags.
2. Place it on the car seat.
3. Turn your back to the car seat.
4. Watch your head as you sit down.
5. Pivot to face the front.
6. Make sure that your seat belt is fastened.