Getting into the car after surgery-

Be sure the car's height is manageable—getting into a lifted truck or sportscar will be nearly impossible the first month.

1) Position the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

2) Put the window down and open the door as wide as it can.

3) Approach the passenger seat with your back facing the seat by carefully using your walker.

4) Back up carefully until you feel the car right behind you. Let the driver take your walker at that point.

5) Keep your bionic leg a step forward and hold onto the window sill and car frame for support.

6) Slowly bend your head and chest over and stick your bottom out until you contact the seat. Sigh with relief.

7) Watch your head and slide onto the seat securely.

8) Slowly turn towards the front of the car and lift one leg in after the other. At first, you will need to help lift your bionic leg into the car.

9) Sit forward, exhale, and remind yourself that this will get easier each time! Close the door, and off you go.

Bonus Tips:

*Leather can stick to your skin in warm weather. If you are stuck to the seat and it is hard to turn, you can put a plastic garbage bag on the seat to help you turn more easily.

*If you are tall and stretching your bionic leg is difficult, you can sit sideways on a bench seat in the back until you improve your range of motion.

Getting out of the car-

The good news is that it is the opposite of getting in.

1) Put the window down and open the door wide enough that you can hold on to it easily.

2) Wait for the driver to bring you your walker.

3) Slowly lift one leg out as your turn to get out of the car. You will need to help lift your bionic leg out of the vehicle.

4) Slide to the edge of the seat.

5) Position the bionic leg a step ahead of your other leg.

6) Grab the walker or car window sill as you lean forward, pushing with your arms to stand up.

7) Make sure you feel steady and breathe. You did it!

Bonus Tips:

*If you were in the car for more than 30 minutes, stretch that bionic knee and pump that ankle to help prevent feeling stiff.

*If driving for more than two hours, you must stop, get up, and walk around for at least five minutes to avoid blood clots.

Are you ready to drive?

Mentally, you might be ready, but we must ensure you are physically prepared.

1) You must not be taking any prescription painkillers regardless of which knee was replaced.

2) You should have approval from your surgeon to commence driving.

Here is how you can test if you are ready from the comfort of your driveway.

1) Can you get in and out of the car by yourself?

2) Can you pump the gas pedal up and down comfortably?

3) Can you quickly and painlessly move from the gas pedal to the brake pedal for at least 15 minutes?

4) If a child or animal darted out in front of you, can you quickly slam on the brakes and hold it down?

5) Imagine you are suddenly stuck in terrible traffic that is stop-and-go. How long could you manage to stay comfortable switching between the gas and brake?

6) Finally, where will you park when you arrive? Are you comfortable walking the distance necessary to and from the car? Is the terrain safe for you to manage?