Help Getting Back in my Z's

[ZR1dogan]

Folks,
I have been out of commission for over a month due to health issues. I get diagnosed with a double hernia in Oct. No serious pain, just a kinda pulling sensation. It was not too bad but needs to get fixed, so I schedule an operation in early Jan, so I can “carefully” enjoy the holidays. Then in mid-December, I ruptured my L4/L5 disc. I could bend over and could sit some, but I couldn't stand up straight or walk more than one room to another. The holidays were no fun. On Jan 10, had successful surgery to remove the disc parts that were pressing on the nerves and I am back on the mend - I can stand up straight again!!!! I can walk again!!! In addition to the normal incision pain/discomfort, my rt leg is weak and rt shin is still numb, but all are improving.

On Friday, I had my two week post op Dr visit and his instructions are do whatever I feel comfortable doing, just nothing stupid and start easy. Use non-impact exercise to build up the rt leg. Now the restrictions: No bending over, no full twisting and lifting is still limited to 15 lbs for the next 12 weeks!! Wow! I didn’t think I was going to go straight to bending and lifting anything I wanted, but 12 more weeks at a 15 lb limit - No Z projects for me this winter. However, looking at it from the positive side – I am counting my blessings. I can stand, walk and it’s getting better.

Sorry about the ramble to get to the question:
I know that there are a lot of us in the Brotherhood my age (57) and older, and I know some of you have had back issues and probably surgery. For any of you that have been in my condition, did you guys do anything special or proactive to ease back into your Z? Any special stool to use to help getting in and out? After all, with the high side rails, getting in and out of the Z wasn’t the easiest thing to do before my back injury.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Robin
94 Dark Red - Almost Stock
94 Admiral Blue - NOT Stock

[Paul Workman]

BTDT... Have had a past back injury too. You didn't mention what year your Z is, but the 90 in particular has high bolsters = adding to the sill issue.

For me, the sport seats were too narrow for my not really so wide a butt (having a 38" waist), and I found a pair of base 95 seats (which I love!) that really make a big difference getting in and out. (The Z sport seat bolsters are incrementally lower on subsequent model years. Sport seats from a 94-95 or GS are probably the best C4 seat option, IMO.)

Other than that, "sit and spin" might work (again, bolsters allowing), ya just have to be able to have the door wide open to do it.

Now that I'm healed, and have the base seats, I can step in with my right foot, turn my body slightly to the left, fold - sit- and pull left foot in, ALL in one motion.

Anyway...Good luck with your recovery.

[WARP TEN]

Hi Robin-
Isn't getting older fun? I have had back problems (but no surgery) related to disc pressing on L4. Doc said unless there is a lot of pain, the 5 year prognosis is the same for surgery or not. So I opted out of surgery. It is fine now unless I do something stupid, like cantelevering my back or twisting while picking something up.
I now have a 95 Z and having had 93 sport seats I agree that the 95s are easier seats to get into. In all my cars I always back in butt first and swing my legs over the sill. So far so good. Hope you get better soon. --Bob

[dan1495]

Robin,
I feel your pain, literally. I am 58 with back problems but not to the extent of yours. Getting in and out of these cars can be a challenge.
I am right down the road from you in Santa Fe - let me know if you need any help with your cars while you're recovering.

[Fully Vetted]

Robin, I've been where you are - twice. The last surgery was a year ago. Same disc and same problem as yours. I could hardly even walk to the mailbox and back. Don't worry. Once your nerves have calmed down from being irritated you'll fine. Mine took about 2 months.

I have a '94 and I have absolutely no ingress/egress issues whatsoever. Nor do I have any issue with getting comfortable. I think you'll be fine. I have two ways I get out, though. I either just swing my legs to the left and then stand up (be sure and use the A-pillar if you need help and NOT the steering wheel) or sometimes I put my left hand down on the sill and just kind of roll out with my right hand on the door. My wife says it looks hilarious but it's very easy.

[nelson007]

Hello ZR1dogan,

I also know how you feel. I had surgery on my back last September and just got out of the Hospital two weeks ago after getting back surgery a second time on L3 and L4. I loss some of the control of my left leg as a result of the surgery, although thank God no more pain. I don’t think I will be able to push in the clutch as of now. Just started therapy yesterday hopefully it will improve. I was able during my downtime to find and purchase another Z, should be delivered sometime next week.
My Doctor is also a car buff and said I could drive my Z but he would keep the power key until I finish therapy.

Nelson 007

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by ZR1dogan

...snip...

On Friday, I had my two week post op Dr visit and his instructions are do whatever I feel comfortable doing, just nothing stupid and start easy.
...snip...

It goes without saying that we're all different. Having said that I'm 60 and I've had two back surgeries. The second one removed the disk and fused the L5/S1 (the one just below yours). At the point they wanted to have me go in for physical therapy I came up with my own plan. I rebuilt my ZF6 and documented the whole thing. The trick was to go at a pace I could handle it. At first just 1 min a day and that was with meds. I charted and plotted my progress with an excel spreadsheet. At the end of 2mo I was back at work but laying down for 15min mid day. The mental work of tearing down and tracking all the ZF6 parts was important for recovery too. You have to stay focused and clear minded enough to know when it's time to stop and lay down for a bit.
Slowly the frequency of stopping to lay down slowed. The ZF6 weighs 149lb. Bench pressing it up into place was the final hurdle. I knew I was ready for work after that. Sitting in a cubicle all day is harder than the bench pressing because you're in a static position but you get the idea. The secret to success is to not sit still if it isn't hurting too bad.

Originally Posted by ZR1dogan

Sorry about the ramble to get to the question:
I know that there are a lot of us in the Brotherhood my age (57) and older, and I know some of you have had back issues and probably surgery. For any of you that have been in my condition, did you guys do anything special or proactive to ease back into your Z? Any special stool to use to help getting in and out? After all, with the high side rails, getting in and out of the Z wasn’t the easiest thing to do before my back injury.
....snip...

I have a 90 and as Bob pointed out I too get in butt first being careful to clear the seat bolster. then one leg in at a time. Getting out is a bit harder. I never put my hand on the side bolster. They can tear loose.
An no matter what I never push/pull on the steering wheel. Thats how I got a spare set of seats from someone when they ripped their side bolster off. I swing one leg at a time out then lean forward and push down on the sill. Sometimes I have to do it twice to keep the momentum going forward.

Bottom line, use it or loose it in the muscle department. Don't use so much pain meds that you can't feel the pain at all. If you do you can injure something else and not know it. Ask me how I know that one.
Good luck with recovery.
Timing is good. You'll definitely be in the swing of things by spring.

[rkreigh]

I sit on the frame rail and kinda slide back in

getting out move the legs out first and ease out. just don't for sure pull on the steering wheel. you can wob out the pins and get a bunch of slop in the steering column

for sure the c4 is a bit tough to get in and out of. just like a hot girl

[nelson007]

Hello Scott,
I sorta did the same thing. Just prior to my operation in September I started a body off restore on my 1970 LT1. Two weeks after starting I had to get my back operated on. After laying around for a few weeks I started on with the project. After a couple weeks I was getting alot of pain and they scheduled my second back surgery. During lay up I found a 95 Zr1, that will easier to get in.
For now my 70 stays on the lift.

http://s1060.beta.photobucket.com/us...93482712600151

Nelson 007

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by nelson007

Hello Scott,
I sorta did the same thing. Just prior to my operation in September I started a body off restore on my 1970 LT1. Two weeks after starting I had to get my back operated on. After laying around for a few weeks I started on with the project. After a couple weeks I was getting alot of pain and they scheduled my second back surgery. During lay up I found a 95 Zr1, that will easier to get in.
For now my 70 stays on the lift.

http://s1060.beta.photobucket.com/us...93482712600151

Nelson 007

Wow some very familiar pics there. I had a big block 73 for 18yrs so it's like looking at old family pics
I love the hood on the 70.