You should sit in the front passenger seat of the car. Before getting into the car the seat should be adjusted all the way back for maximum leg room and the chair back should be slightly reclined. You may need to use one or two pillows on the car seat to adjust the seat height (depending on your height and type of car) so that your knee will be lower than your hip when seated.
Back up to the seat of the car, hold on to the seat and/or the doorframe and sit your buttocks down first. If needed, scoot slightly back to have more of your thigh supported on the seat, but be careful to not lean forward as you do this. Then slowly turn your body lift your legs into the car one by one.
To get out of the car, first slowly bring your legs one by one out of the car. Make sure both feet touch the ground prior to standing. Keep one hand on the seat and/or doorframe and your other hand on your assistive device that you are using for walking prior to going from sitting to standing.
Please note: These guidelines are specific to surgical approaches and should be approved by your surgeon prior to use for your optimal safety.
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