Hip Replacements and Corvettes
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 743
From: PA
Hip Replacements and Corvettes
My wife has to go in for hip replacement surgery and her options are either do it now and risk losing the summer season or waiting until fall and it will give her all winter to heal up. Her biggest question is, have any of you had hip replacements and any trouble getting into and out of your Vette? How long after your surgery before you could do it (if you could)? Crazy question, I know, but it's on her mind. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 326
From: what ain't no country I ever heard of
My wife has to go in for hip replacement surgery and her options are either do it now and risk losing the summer season or waiting until fall and it will give her all winter to heal up. Her biggest question is, have any of you had hip replacements and any trouble getting into and out of your Vette? How long after your surgery before you could do it (if you could)? Crazy question, I know, but it's on her mind. Thanks.
somewhat depends on type of hip surgery. My wife had it a decade ago and it took her about 2 months before she was able to get in/out ok. She does still slide down the seat so I cover the seat with a blanket and she uses a big pillow to sit on. She says it’s comfortable after she’s in.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 910
Likes: 452
From: North Dakota
Speedy recovery to your wife whenever she decides to have the surgery. FWIW...my wife is a bit stiffer than I am. We both get in by plopping our butts on the seat and then spinning our feet in. Once in she loves riding! My crappy weather car is a 2016 Hyundai Veloster...which my wife swears is harder to get into. Concerning the surgery...I had back surgery...microdiscectomy x2...L4-L5 and L5-S1. It took me a month and a half before I could get in and out of the Vs without any major discomfort.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,875
Likes: 1,874
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
I had a right hip replacement in 2009 (age 55), driving 2006 with stick in 6 weeks. Left hip in 2014 (age 60), driving 2014 M7 in 3 weeks, at Spring Mountain in 15 weeks. It depends on your health and somewhat on the surgical approach. I have gotten in and out of 2006, 2014 Z51, and 2019 GS by sitting down and rotating. Yes, it is a low car and not the easiest in or out. For ease of entry / exit I have an Acadia...
The best to your wife and enjoy the vette.
Ron
The best to your wife and enjoy the vette.
Ron
Pro
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 675
Likes: 102
Girl I know had her hip replaced and she found it easier to get in and out of my car, because she is short , like 4 11
but I got my car at a really good price because the guy had his hip replaced and couldnt get in and out of it easily
but I got my car at a really good price because the guy had his hip replaced and couldnt get in and out of it easily
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 743
From: PA
My wife is 5'10", so it's going to be a drop for her.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,676
Likes: 1,856
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
My mom had both knee joints replaced a few year ago. Her mobility improved dramatically immediately after the surgery but what limited her was the healing of the incision not the joint replacement.
I would bet it will be easier to get in and out of the car for your wife after the surgery then compared to before.
I would bet it will be easier to get in and out of the car for your wife after the surgery then compared to before.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 2
From: Bellows Falls Vermont
I have had both hips replaced Left at 65,Right at 66, Have the surgery done from the front and the recovery is quicker ,The old school way was from the Butt side, alot more stuff to get thru.I found a recumbant bike to be very helpful in the winter ( did them in October) and I do ride a bike alot in the summer.As far as driving not a problem .I hardly realize they have been done.One is 2 years old and the last is 1 year old.It seems to take about a year to really be recovered so you don't even think about it .Thats about my Two-Cents ,Good luck with it .My thought was to get them done so I could be recovered and good to go for my retirement .. 
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 1,608
From: Edmond Oklahoma
My brother in law had both hips replaced at the same time. He was up and walking the next day and back to about 90% in less than a month and 100% in about six weeks. Not all people heal the same but I have herd similar stories from several people. Looks like about 60 days would be reasonable if no complications arise.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Independence Ohio
My wife has had both of her hips replaced - the most recent was performed in May and her first ride was in July. She suggests having a small pillow to sit on. It helped align the joint to minimize discomfort. Like others have mentioned, using a recumbent bike for therapy helped a lot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 783
Likes: 224
From: Chilliwack BC Canada
My wife has to go in for hip replacement surgery and her options are either do it now and risk losing the summer season or waiting until fall and it will give her all winter to heal up. Her biggest question is, have any of you had hip replacements and any trouble getting into and out of your Vette? How long after your surgery before you could do it (if you could)? Crazy question, I know, but it's on her mind. Thanks.
Last edited by Icecap; Feb 18, 2020 at 09:45 PM.
