Rotator Cuff Surgery- I can't get out of my car now

[xxxotic]

Had it done 6 weeks ago.

I got the doctors OK to drive a shift shift this week, and I can get into the car with the roof off, but it is almost impossible to get out, since I dont have enough strength in my right arm to lift myself out of the seat.

Has anyone had this type of surgery and how long did it take before you could get out of the car without any trouble?

Also how long was it before you could get into the car with the roof on it?

I am afraid to drive long distances because if it rains, it will take me 5 minutes to get out of the car, and then I could never get in once the roof was on. I guess I could put the roof on over the passenger side, climb in, and then put the roof on from inside the car, but by then I would be soaking wet.

[glb]

It's pretty good to be able to drive a stick only 6 weeks later, tho.

I just went out to try this w/top on. I could manage to get in and out by using the sill as a stopping point, but I'm on the small side and do Yoga.

Definitely depended on left arm, of course.

As far as putting top on, not tried that, but my Elan and Bugeye took more than a few trips around the car. (Kept a towel wrapped around roof struts in Elan when down, so I'd always have a dry towel handy)

Most times, we can anticipate rain a few minutes ahead of time...or pull under overpass or, my fav, into a gas station.

Keep us posted, pls.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by glb

As far as putting top on, not tried that, but my Elan and Bugeye took more than a few trips around the car.
<...>
or, my fav, into a gas station.

I still remember many years ago getting caught in a sudden downpour while driving my Elan. So I pulled into to gas station and started putting up the top. By the time I was done with it, it had stopped raining...

As for the Elise, I have several fused vertebrae in my back and neck, so I can't get in the car with the top on. If I get caught in the rain, I pull over under some kind of shelter (last time it was a tree on the side of the road in a residential area - worked just great) and put the passenger side of the top on. Then I hop in the car and twist around and hook on the driver's side and snap it in place. I don't really get that wet as one side goes on quickly, and top is over me while I'm attaching the other side.

Then I reverse the process when I get home (after using the remote to open the garage door and pulling in ).

At work, I get to park in a parking garage, so I can put the top on without worrying about rain at all...

[JnC]

It's certainly possible to put the top on without getting out of the car. Just takes a little practice. But I'm not sure how well you'd manage getting the top onto the passenger side with a bum right shoulder.

[Ian]

I had surgery on my right rotator cuff 6 weeks after I bought my first Elise. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I started driving 1 week after surgery (shifted with my left hand).

To get out, put your left foot against the bottom of the door for leverage. It works like a charm and I still do it occasionally if I'm getting out while carrying things.

Hope it helps.

[Pandora]

Depends on how bad your rotator cuff was and what was done to fix it? Guessing it was just a partial tear?

Could be up to 12 weeks for more weight bearing types of activities depending on what you had done. Hang w/the rehab. It makes a big difference.