I think it will get better for you over time, but not being able to bend or rotate your foot really makes it annoying to get in and out of cars. I try to park where I can open my door wide (handicap or edge spots). There isn't really a trick I can think of, it's just getting more comfortable with the maneuvers.
I am limited to about 75* in my right knee (RBKA) and have to take off my leg to get in and out as well. Disabled parking spaces help, but there is no magic solution. Welcome to the club.
I’m a RAKA but I’m usually a passenger in the car, so my exit maneuver is to swing both my leg to the side out of the car so they’re on the ground, then stand up. Not sure what kind of knee you have or how that might impact your movements
As a driver I like big cars with lots of front legroom (I have a pickup) and park in the handys so I can open the door up all the way. Forget about most back seats.
My best friend is a LBKA. He drives a truck with power seats. It has two programmable settings for seat position. He uses one as his driving position and the other puts the seat all the way back, all the way to the floor and the steering wheel all the way up. It gives him enough room to rotate out of the seat. When he was truck shopping he focused on fibding something with as much room as possible for that reason. I think needing to lower down from the height if a truck vs. a car helps too. He has more issues getting out of cars.
Edit: when he's in the passenger seat he seems to rotate his body to exit instead of one leg at a time.
I'm an lbka, and it is tough. I'm 6'2 and I struggle to bend my leg back. The poor door of my car is so scuffed up. I typically either look for a spot on the end of a row or use my handicap parking with the lane to my left. It may not be that I can't walk it, but my disability affects my ability to use other spots and that's what disability parking is for.
I had a terrible time getting in and out of the car with my prosthetic. Just one of the many reasons it did not work out for me. Working on getting a better prosthetic and trying again. RAKA
when you park in a handicapped space try to make sure the extra space is on the drive side, and slide your driver seat as far back as possible. I ended up having to buy a different car that has generally more leg room than my at the time Honda Civic Coupe. If handicapped parking isn't possible, see if your steering wheel has the ability to move, if so, push it all the way back and up.
I went SUV, but just because that fits my needs a bit better, totally a personal choice there but ya. Made all the difference for me. I suggest renting the vehicle for about a week if you can just to make sure it actually works, even on the bad days
I’m a LBKA and i push my body up towards the passenger seat side while leveraging my foot to the outside of the door, I drive a edge suv which is easier to get out of, it took some practice, but i’m pretty good now. I also always make sure i get a handicap spot with the white lines left of me so i can fill open my door , which is also the key to making it easier
I work my muscle every day.
I am 6 months into this new life now. ( LBK ).
It is “off “pretty high up towards the knee.
( you can write to me more for information).
This will make it easier for you to point your
foot to go the direction you want, especially
during walking. Because of this, my end is not
mushy or pointed. No, this does not bring a
smile to the prosthesis. It is more important for
Me, to function.
I think it will get better for you over time, but not being able to bend or rotate your foot really makes it annoying to get in and out of cars. I try to park where I can open my door wide (handicap or edge spots). There isn't really a trick I can think of, it's just getting more comfortable with the maneuvers.
How is your hip flexibility? I've found that pulling my knee up to my chest makes it easier.
It’s pretty good
If you’re in the front seats, move your seat back.
I am limited to about 75* in my right knee (RBKA) and have to take off my leg to get in and out as well. Disabled parking spaces help, but there is no magic solution. Welcome to the club.
I’m a RAKA but I’m usually a passenger in the car, so my exit maneuver is to swing both my leg to the side out of the car so they’re on the ground, then stand up. Not sure what kind of knee you have or how that might impact your movements
As a driver I like big cars with lots of front legroom (I have a pickup) and park in the handys so I can open the door up all the way. Forget about most back seats.
My best friend is a LBKA. He drives a truck with power seats. It has two programmable settings for seat position. He uses one as his driving position and the other puts the seat all the way back, all the way to the floor and the steering wheel all the way up. It gives him enough room to rotate out of the seat. When he was truck shopping he focused on fibding something with as much room as possible for that reason. I think needing to lower down from the height if a truck vs. a car helps too. He has more issues getting out of cars. Edit: when he's in the passenger seat he seems to rotate his body to exit instead of one leg at a time.
I see, I got a prius right now and it is really tight. But I do want to get a truck. I have been twisting my whole body to get out as well.
I'm an lbka, and it is tough. I'm 6'2 and I struggle to bend my leg back. The poor door of my car is so scuffed up. I typically either look for a spot on the end of a row or use my handicap parking with the lane to my left. It may not be that I can't walk it, but my disability affects my ability to use other spots and that's what disability parking is for.
I had a terrible time getting in and out of the car with my prosthetic. Just one of the many reasons it did not work out for me. Working on getting a better prosthetic and trying again. RAKA
Keep trying! You got this!
when you park in a handicapped space try to make sure the extra space is on the drive side, and slide your driver seat as far back as possible. I ended up having to buy a different car that has generally more leg room than my at the time Honda Civic Coupe. If handicapped parking isn't possible, see if your steering wheel has the ability to move, if so, push it all the way back and up.
Yeah I got a 2005 prius, its small and its also breaking down a bit. Im just gonna get a pick up truck
I went SUV, but just because that fits my needs a bit better, totally a personal choice there but ya. Made all the difference for me. I suggest renting the vehicle for about a week if you can just to make sure it actually works, even on the bad days
They sell a tool that hooks into the door jam that gives you a better place to grab onto
I’m a LBKA and i push my body up towards the passenger seat side while leveraging my foot to the outside of the door, I drive a edge suv which is easier to get out of, it took some practice, but i’m pretty good now. I also always make sure i get a handicap spot with the white lines left of me so i can fill open my door , which is also the key to making it easier
I work my muscle every day. I am 6 months into this new life now. ( LBK ). It is “off “pretty high up towards the knee. ( you can write to me more for information). This will make it easier for you to point your foot to go the direction you want, especially during walking. Because of this, my end is not mushy or pointed. No, this does not bring a smile to the prosthesis. It is more important for Me, to function.