Update on my knee (McKenzie exercises)

[ellenrr]

It's been a while since I posted, so I want to tell you, yesterday I went to my favorite park and walked for 50 minutes!!

so I am about 96% back to where I was before I got torn meniscus in March 2014.

I've been doing McKenzie exercises 3-4 months, and I totally credit them with my recovery.
I still do them every 2 hours or so (when I'm at home).
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/what-mckenzie-method-back-pain-and-neck-pain

I am so happy to be able to walk.

Now I have another thing, don't know if it is related, but it is same leg. (right)
When I drive - even only 20 minues - my leg hurts.
and when I get out of car, I have to walk it off. I feel stiff, but the more I walk, the better I feel.

anybody else have this?

when I drove to my father's, a 40-minutes drive, I stopped every 15 minutes - and walked for 15 minutes.
someone suggested this is sciatica.
The pain goes up and ends in my right buttock.
I haven't looked it up yet.

A friend recommended a pillow that Bed,Bath sells - it has a cutout, is supposed to relieve pressure on the spine.
I will try that.

[TexasProgresive]

1. It may very well be sciatic pain

Driving is such an unnatural thing with you right leg extended to operate the gas and brake. The seats in cars are not particularly designed to support the lower back and legs. This site offers some helpful advice. If you were a man named ellen (could happen) I would suggest getting rid of that triple fold wallet in your back pocket. That can aggravate the sciatic nerve.

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/low-back-pain/back-pain-and-driving

* When driving for prolonged periods the lumbar curve is all but lost, placing extra strain on the vertebrae and discs.
* The spine is subjected to considerable vibration and jolting.
* Modern cars have a lower roof line and so reduced internal space.To allow this the seat is often lowered and tipped back which causes the legs to be straighter, placing strain on the hamstrings, in turn pulling on their pelvic attachments and resulting in the pelvis rolling backwards.
* Strain is also placed on the cervical spine (neck) due to the seat being tipped back and the driver having to flex the neck by up to 20 degrees in order to look straight ahead.

[ellenrr]

2. thanks! I will check out the site.. I am a woman named ellen but

yes, driving is unnatural.
and my latest car, 2009 - I cannot get the gas pedal as close to me as I would like.
I am 5 feet tall.
My previous car, the pedal came up closer.

Plus on my previous car, I was able to attach a block to the gas pedal, which helped immeasurably. my present car, the gas pedal is made is such a way that this is impossible to do.
thanks toyota.
I have been told that there is a device that I can buy ($75.) by Toyota, which attaches to the pedal and brings it forward.
I have to look into that. Probably worth it to me to do that.

In this car, when I bring the gas pedal as far forward as it will go, my left knee is right up against some sort of box they built into this model, under the steering wheel to the left.

so if I were to have even a small accident - that would be the end of my left knee!

thanks for the helpful information you provided.

having done my mcKenzie exercises, I am off to take a walk.

have a good day.

[elleng]

3. Happy to hear about success with your knee!

About driving and leg pain, not sure about sciatica, which I've had; 'treated' with exercises and watching posture. Here's a bit:

'Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes.'

much more here: http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/sciatica-symptoms

[ellenrr]

4. thanks elleng, I will read this. nt