A perfect storm
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 139
Likes: 112
From: South Carolina
A perfect storm
So, folks of the forum I have a question-request:
Has anyone experienced a Quad Tendon full repair and been able to drive an M7 after rehab ?? (nominal 4-6 or 6-12 months: depends on which AI you want to believe)
The Story:
Waited for life to allow me to finally purchase a Corvette ; ended up with a Perfect 2017 Grand Sport 2LT Black Convertible 22K miles with all the "goodies" M7, Mag ride, Stereo, & a useless to me PDR
Got to enjoy it for two months, then bringing down the Christmas decorations, slipped on stairs, hit the banister rail and tore the Quad Tendon loose from the knee (left leg)
Surgery scheduled for this Monday
The quandary is:
Will I be able to drive a manual after tendon repair or start looking for a Corvette with automatic trans
Has anyone experienced a Quad Tendon full repair and been able to drive an M7 after rehab ?? (nominal 4-6 or 6-12 months: depends on which AI you want to believe)
The Story:
Waited for life to allow me to finally purchase a Corvette ; ended up with a Perfect 2017 Grand Sport 2LT Black Convertible 22K miles with all the "goodies" M7, Mag ride, Stereo, & a useless to me PDR
Got to enjoy it for two months, then bringing down the Christmas decorations, slipped on stairs, hit the banister rail and tore the Quad Tendon loose from the knee (left leg)
Surgery scheduled for this Monday
The quandary is:
Will I be able to drive a manual after tendon repair or start looking for a Corvette with automatic trans
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 46
From: Chicago Illinois
Sorry to hear about your injury. A few years ago tore up my knee and asked the physical therapist about using my leg for clutch and golf, she used task specific therapy and got me back ahead of schedule. Good Luck on a speedy recovery.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 1,663
From: Cincinnati, OH
I once had an incident where I fell while rock climbing. At the time I did not know that I had broken a bone in my right foot, although I knew it was bad. Some people helped me get into my car with a manual trans. I drove all the way from Lexington to Cincinnati with my left foot. After they put my foot in a cast I drove with my left foot in an automatic. I imagine I could have done the same with my right. With a little practice I bet you could do it safely. I don't think you could do any racing though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,414
Likes: 3,957
From: Cincinnati, OH
I'd imagine it would be limiting.
I injured my patellar/quad tendon working out. It's mostly painful when trying to sit down or stand up. Basically anything involving your quad. So driving may not be an issue, but getting in/out of the car may be a chore. Also depends on if you can even bend your knee during initial stages.
I injured my patellar/quad tendon working out. It's mostly painful when trying to sit down or stand up. Basically anything involving your quad. So driving may not be an issue, but getting in/out of the car may be a chore. Also depends on if you can even bend your knee during initial stages.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,289
Likes: 2,357
From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
I do not know, but, that sounds painful. I had an injury to my left knee which was quite painful. Fortunately, I did it at work and was covered by Workmans Comp.
At the time, W/C allowed you to pick your Doctor if you did it in advance. I figured if I got hurt at work I would need a Doctor that specialized in sports injuries.
It turned out he was exactly who I needed. I had to be able to run and lift things. Being in SoCal, I found a Doctor that worked for a professional basketball team. He knew all about the specifics of knee injuries. It took a while and I was back.
Good luck on a fast recovery!
At the time, W/C allowed you to pick your Doctor if you did it in advance. I figured if I got hurt at work I would need a Doctor that specialized in sports injuries.
It turned out he was exactly who I needed. I had to be able to run and lift things. Being in SoCal, I found a Doctor that worked for a professional basketball team. He knew all about the specifics of knee injuries. It took a while and I was back.
Good luck on a fast recovery!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 746
I had knee surgery after I slipped on a slippery hillside at a farm while doing a photo shoot for a magazine. I tore the meniscus in my right knee and I had to have part of the meniscus removed and I was on crutches for six or eight weeks. But it was not long after that that I returned to driving my manual transmission pick up truck. Even though it was my right knee (and your left) we still have to use our right foot for the brake.
A physical therapist said my right leg would always be smaller. Do not believe everything they say. When the time was right, I started riding a bicycle everyday and there was no longer one leg smaller than the other. A year later, I was running three miles nonstop and then 10Ks.
A physical therapist said my right leg would always be smaller. Do not believe everything they say. When the time was right, I started riding a bicycle everyday and there was no longer one leg smaller than the other. A year later, I was running three miles nonstop and then 10Ks.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 716
From: Terrell North Carolina
About 10 years ago I fell and tore my left quad tendon. I am a manual trans driver, I recovered & I still drive a manual. One of my recovery exercises was similar to pressing the clutch, so I bumped up my therapy and started driving my Corvette. At this point in time my leg is strong as ever and at 74 yeas old. I drove my manual daily. I think you have a good chance of recovery and you will drive your Corvette again, I will add that my recovery was about 6 months, so it is a slow process and lot of PT time.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,136
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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Never had such an injury but sure hope that with the surgery and therapy you will still be able to drive your car just fine.
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