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      11-09-2011, 01:39 PM   #1
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Driving the Z after hip replacement!

I do not know anything about the average age of members here. I am am only 46 but I am having a hip replacement on December 5. I was a college gymnast, a level four singles tennis player and a sub three hour marathoner. Basically wore out my poor hip early (but don't regret my years of sport at all)! I expect it to be difficult getting into and out of my car for a while after surgery. Has any member here had a hip replacement who drives a Z4? How long did it take you to get enough ROM to be able to get into and out of such a low car? Just curious. I deliberated on buying my car so close to surgery. I am in good shape, small and quite flexible (female). Doc expects me to recover just fine. I am actually having hip resurfacing not a traditional total hip replacement due to my age and activity level. Would love to hear from anyone who has been in my position with a z4. Would hate to see my car sit for to long! I'm going to drive the heck out of it between now and 12/5!
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      11-09-2011, 03:54 PM   #2
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Getting in and out whit the top open wont be a problem,whit the top close is gonna be a different story. Good luck.
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      11-09-2011, 04:36 PM   #3
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My mother had a hip replacement about 7 months ago. She wasnt able to sit in most chairs or any couches for 3 months. Z4 would be out of the question.

When i got the car, about 3 months ago she was able to get in and out ok, but not easily.
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      11-09-2011, 06:49 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by STOOF View Post
My mother had a hip replacement about 7 months ago. She wasnt able to sit in most chairs or any couches for 3 months. Z4 would be out of the question.

When i got the car, about 3 months ago she was able to get in and out ok, but not easily.
Not to be judgmental of your mom's condition, was she quite a bit older? I'm hoping being young and small by genetics will be on my my side (young for a hip replacement anyway)! I have five weeks off of work (part is for the holiday and part is taking sick leave). I really don't need to drive during that time. I'm hoping by six weeks I can get in and out. I can pretty much use only my arms to lift myself in and out (that is what I have experimented with). We'll see. I haven't seen my surgeon since I got the car so I haven't been able to ask him. Will see him for pre-op visit in a week and a half.
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      11-09-2011, 07:19 PM   #5
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My wife had knee replacement 3 years ago. She's able to ride in and drive the Z4 with no problem. Just a little stiff getting in and out, she needs to open the roof temporarily to make it easier.

Being in good shape helps with recovery. Age helps too, so does the quality of the surgery and the initial PT in the hospital.

Being close to your age but not in good fitness or physical shape, one of my hips is going and I'm afraid I'll find myself in your situation one of these days! Hope I can keep my Z wHen the time comes!
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      11-09-2011, 07:28 PM   #6
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This is my first post, and I don't have a Z4 yet (planning to order in a couple of months). However, I did have a hip replacement a bit over a year ago, and I have been driving a Mini. First, hip replacement surgery has come a long way over the years. The hospital had me putting weight on that leg the same day as surgery. The only physical therapy the doctor prescribed was walking, and I have to tell you that by the end of the next week I was walking a mile and a half. The recovery was much easier than I expected. Although the doc didn't want me to drive for 6 weeks or so, I think that was primarily because I was still on pain meds. Three weeks after surgery I was driving. I had to be careful getting in and out of my Mini, but driving was no problem, and my car is a 6-speed (it was my left hip that was replaced). Granted, a Mini is not as low as the Z4, but I think if you're careful getting in and out, driving (after a few weeks) should not be a problem. Just don't take too much Vicodin! Make sure you keep active walking. Best of luck to you, Jayda.

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      11-09-2011, 07:50 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidJS View Post
This is my first post, and I don't have a Z4 yet (planning to order in a couple of months). However, I did have a hip replacement a bit over a year ago, and I have been driving a Mini. First, hip replacement surgery has come a long way over the years. The hospital had me putting weight on that leg the same day as surgery. The only physical therapy the doctor prescribed was walking, and I have to tell you that by the end of the next week I was walking a mile and a half. The recovery was much easier than I expected. Although the doc didn't want me to drive for 6 weeks or so, I think that was primarily because I was still on pain meds. Three weeks after surgery I was driving. I had to be careful getting in and out of my Mini, but driving was no problem, and my car is a 6-speed (it was my left hip that was replaced). Granted, a Mini is not as low as the Z4, but I think if you're careful getting in and out, driving (after a few weeks) should not be a problem. Just don't take too much Vicodin! Make sure you keep active walking. Best of luck to you, Jayda.

- David
Thank you David, your post is encouraging. I will be up and walking the day of surgery I am told and only walking as PT as well! My hip has been going down hill for three years so I am feeling very ready to go through with it (except for not being able to drive my new car for awhile)!
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      11-09-2011, 09:28 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayda View Post
I do not know anything about the average age of members here. I am am only 46 but I am having a hip replacement on December 5. I was a college gymnast, a level four singles tennis player and a sub three hour marathoner. Basically wore out my poor hip early (but don't regret my years of sport at all)! I expect it to be difficult getting into and out of my car for a while after surgery. Has any member here had a hip replacement who drives a Z4? How long did it take you to get enough ROM to be able to get into and out of such a low car? Just curious. I deliberated on buying my car so close to surgery. I am in good shape, small and quite flexible (female). Doc expects me to recover just fine. I am actually having hip resurfacing not a traditional total hip replacement due to my age and activity level. Would love to hear from anyone who has been in my position with a z4. Would hate to see my car sit for to long! I'm going to drive the heck out of it between now and 12/5!
It's not the same thing but I fractured my hip last year in a bad skiing accident (3 weeks after I got the Z!!!!). I didn't drive at all until about 3 weeks after the surgery and I rented an SUV for the first 2-3 weeks as there was no way I could get into the Z. I'd say you're looking at somewhere around 4-6 weeks. Good luck with your surgery!
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      11-10-2011, 10:52 AM   #9
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Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery !!!

Jayda

All the best for the Ops. they do wonderful things today. My wife also had a knee replacement all went well. ...

glad to see that my PM helped somewhat

Cheers,

Rolf-Dieter
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      11-10-2011, 11:51 AM   #10
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I had my hip resurfaced in late 2006 - get in and out fine. Before my operation I would have to sit and turn like a granny to get in my corvette to avoid the pain - no more after the surgery - after recovery you should be able to get in normally.
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      11-14-2011, 09:40 AM   #11
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Most of my patients with hip replacements don't have any noticeable mobility deficits once they're done with PT.
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      11-17-2011, 02:25 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayda View Post
12/5!
How thoughtful, you're going in on my B'Day

Here's a tip, use the second key fob to move the seat all the way to the rear and all the way UP. That will give you lots of room to sort of slide in and then you can use YOUR key fob to move the seat to your programmed position.

The above assumes you have the electrically adjustable seats with memory.

Good luck!
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      11-17-2011, 07:13 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwmick View Post
How thoughtful, you're going in on my B'Day

Here's a tip, use the second key fob to move the seat all the way to the rear and all the way UP. That will give you lots of room to sort of slide in and then you can use YOUR key fob to move the seat to your programmed position.

The above assumes you have the electrically adjustable seats with memory.

Good luck!
I did not know you can use the key fob to move the seats! I do have memory seats. How do you do it?
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      11-17-2011, 07:29 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayda View Post
I did not know you can use the key fob to move the seats! I do have memory seats. How do you do it?
Put your key fob in the dash to turn accessory power on. Set your seat and mirrors and then press the top Memory button and then the #1 button on the drivers seat. Remove your key.

Insert the 'other' key and adjust the seat all the way back and up. Press the Memory button and then the #2 button on the drivers seat. You have now programmed the second key and it's setting will remain in that key. Remove the key from the dash. Press Unlock on YOUR key fob and the seat and mirrors will return to your settings. Press unlock on the 'other' key and the seat will move all the way back and up.

It's in the manual but ours is locked away, leaving in the morning for CA.
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      11-17-2011, 08:21 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwmick View Post
Put your key fob in the dash to turn accessory power on. Set your seat and mirrors and then press the top Memory button and then the #1 button on the drivers seat. Remove your key.

Insert the 'other' key and adjust the seat all the way back and up. Press the Memory button and then the #2 button on the drivers seat. You have now programmed the second key and it's setting will remain in that key. Remove the key from the dash. Press Unlock on YOUR key fob and the seat and mirrors will return to your settings. Press unlock on the 'other' key and the seat will move all the way back and up.

It's in the manual but ours is locked away, leaving in the morning for CA.
Wow, thanks!
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      11-18-2011, 12:32 AM   #16
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Or, given each key remembers two seat settings...
just use the same key and set one seat setting on #1 and the other on #2.

All up you get four seat memory settings... not counting the "remember last seat setting" in each key, which can be different to the two memory buttons if you want.
The car automatically remembers which seat setting you used when you last locked the car with each key, and if you turn the feature on in iDrive, it sets the seat back to that setting when you unlock it with the same key.

My wife has one key with her seat setting in #1. The seat sets up automatically for her when she opens the car.
I have my key with my seat setting in #1. It moves it to my setting when I open the car.
Just the way it shoudl be.
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      11-19-2011, 08:57 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2 View Post
Or, given each key remembers two seat settings...
just use the same key and set one seat setting on #1 and the other on #2.

All up you get four seat memory settings... not counting the "remember last seat setting" in each key, which can be different to the two memory buttons if you want.
Correct! But be careful if switching keys. I recall one story where the wife had an iPad behind the seat and when the husband used his key, crunch goes the iPad....
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      11-22-2011, 02:08 PM   #18
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Had my pre-op appointment today. I was told I will likely be able to get into and out of a low car like the Z4 at about 4 weeks post-op! Not to bad! I don't guess I'll really feel like getting out much for part of that time anyway!
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      11-22-2011, 02:17 PM   #19
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Sure hope it goes well!
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      11-22-2011, 02:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayda View Post
Had my pre-op appointment today. I was told I will likely be able to get into and out of a low car like the Z4 at about 4 weeks post-op! Not to bad! I don't guess I'll really feel like getting out much for part of that time anyway!
All the best Jayda and a quick and successful recovery

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      11-23-2011, 09:43 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayda View Post
Had my pre-op appointment today. I was told I will likely be able to get into and out of a low car like the Z4 at about 4 weeks post-op! Not to bad! I don't guess I'll really feel like getting out much for part of that time anyway!
Jayda,

Seriously---think about doing what I did---rent an SUV for a couple weeks, just to make it easy on yourself. The Z will still be there for you! The most important thing is to do your physical therapy religiously---2-3x per week. You'll notice a fast improvement that will get you back into the Z (if you're like me, your entrance technique will be slightly "modified" with that padded center armrest coming in handy!) followed by a very long, slow period of incremental improvement. Best of luck!

JB
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      12-06-2011, 11:41 AM   #22
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It's been a whole day Jayda, we need an update.....

Jayda,
Hope you have a good day yesterday. Let us know how it went.
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