Road Rules to Reduce Knee Pain
Adapted from Arthritis Today®*, the health magazine published by the Arthritis Foundation.
Ask any 16-year-old who has just gotten his driver's license - driving is one of life's most practical and empowering privileges. Yet the ability to go where we want, when we want often is taken for granted - until arthritis or other health problems start setting up roadblocks.
Fortunately, if you're finding driving more difficult than it used to be, there's often a solution.
Problem: Your knees, hips and ankles get sore after a drive.
Solution: Change your seat position. Some cars let you raise and lower your seat, move it closer to or farther from the pedals and even tip it forward or backward. Also, consider these after-market features that may be available for your car: adjustable pedals (controlled by a push-button on the dashboard) for precise positioning or adaptive cruise control that adjusts to the speed of the car directly in front of you, so you can stay in cruise mode even when traffic speed changes.
Problem: You have trouble reading signs and seeing lane lines, especially at dawn and dusk.
Solution: Get your eyes checked. You may need a new prescription lens or have another treatable vision problem. A nonreflective coating on your glasses also might be helpful. If your car has tinted windows, consider having the tint removed so that visual contrasts will be clearer. Keep your windows, windshield and lights clean to reduce glare.
Problem: You have trouble looking over your shoulder when changing lanes.
Solution: Adjust your side mirror until you barely can see the side of your car in the mirror's inside edge. Then lean forward to get closer to the side mirror, and you'll have a full view of cars close by. Attaching a convex mirror to each side mirror or replacing your rear-view mirror with a panoramic one can help increase range of sight.
Problem: Gripping the steering wheel makes your hands ache.
Solution: Purchase a steering knob that attaches directly to your steering wheel or column and moves like a spinner or joystick. A padded steering wheel cover can cushion the hands and allow you to loosen your grip. Some steering wheels are more comfortable to grip than others; experiment with different styles before you purchase your next car.
Problem: Sitting for long periods of time causes your back to ache.
Solution: Experiment to find a seat cushion that better supports your back. When taking long car trips, stop occasionally to get out and stretch. When shopping for a new car, look for features like adjustable seats with a programmable memory feature and heated seats that keep you warm in the winter and ease aching backs and hips.
Problem: Your concentration and reflexes aren't as good as they used to be.
Solution: Allow extra time to get where you're going. Limit trips to daylight hours, if possible, and take familiar roads. Allow plenty of space between your car and the one in front of you - at least two care lengths - and avoid distractions, such as listening to the radio, talking on the cell phone or driving with misbehaving kids in the backseat.
Riding in cars: The ins and outs
Fabric seats can create friction that makes entry and exit a hassle. Try beaded a seat cover or even a plastic garbage bag spread on the seat. Consider getting after-market leather seats or trade up from fabric to leather next time you buy.