Any suggestions for best car for someone with sciatica?

Kim_D_2

I have recently had a bout of sciatica, and it seemed to be aggravated by driving - my present car has a very low seat and is quite difficult to get in and out of if you suffer with anything that restricts mobility. (It's an automatic, so that doesn't seem to have any bearing on it).

I was looking around for a car before this, and now obviously don't want to make an expensive mistake and end up with a car I can't drive.

Is there anyone else on the site who suffers from sciatica and has found a make of car they could recommend for people with back problems?

Thanks,
Kim D.

kaya

i have major back issues, i drive a mitsubishi shogun with leather heated seats, nice and high but a tad thirsty on fuel

gilbert_and_sullivan

I get sciatica now and again, found that MPV type cars with upright orange box style seats to be the best, just the right height for bum whether entering or exiting.

If you don't mind a manual box then you could do far worse than try a Berlingo, underrated and excellent vehicle whatever model or shape you choose, they iron out Britains third world roads competently too.

If auto is needed test drive a Kia Carens, Picasso's auto box is from hell.

harveybobbles

My Oh has sciatica, along with other nerver related problems and they manage quite eaasy getting in and out of a Mondeo.

Matt1977

Saabs are meant to have very well designed seats.

bigjl

Most MPV's will have a decent driving position.

The Zafira mk1 in Design spec (05 plate old shape) had really nice Recaro-ish seats, though I don't know if we had them fitted to the ones we got as an option as the 53 plates and 54 plates where also Design spec but didn't have these seats.

If that is the case then you would probably need to get an SRi spec or whatever is the equivalent in the mk1.

The first (55plate) mk2 Zafira Design had RECARO/SRi front seats in it, which was miles better than the rubbish seats they fitted from 56 plate onwards.

I wouldn't recommend a diesel mk2 Zafira, especially with an autobox, we have had 350 in my NHS Trust and they are unreliable, but comfy, so the only option would be a 1.8 petrol with the starnge semi auto box or a 2.2 petrol with a proper autobox.

The older mk1 has a normal autobox in 2.0 DTi form, apart from sounding like a truck and not being as fast as the later ones the mk1 Zafira is more comfortable, more reliable, more economical and cheaper to buy.


I have driven a VW Touran and the seats in that were very comfy aswell.


As already mentioned Saab seats are indeed very comfy as are Volvo seats. Last of the Vectra models in SRI trim had very comfy seats aswell.

asbokid

Maybe get the sciatica sorted, whether through physiotherapy or spinal surgery. Sciatica tends to fade anyway once you reach your 30s, as the fluid in the spinal discs becomes more viscous. You can drive any car then!

bigjl

asbokid wrote: »

Maybe get the sciatica sorted, whether through physiotherapy or spinal surgery. Sciatica tends to fade anyway once you reach your 30s, as the fluid in the spinal discs becomes more viscous. You can drive any car then!

Pardon, fluid in the discs become more viscous?

You do understand that as you get older the discs will tend to desicate, or dry out and degenerate?

You also know that a large amount of sciatica is caused by a simple trapped nerve?

The Sciatic nerve, hence the name. As far as fading away when you reach your thirties, most people don't get sciatica untill their late thirties.

As far as medical advise goes, i am sure the OP has been to her GP, but getting a more comfortable car will definately help with any flare ups in the future.

The seats in the Astras make my sciatica play up no end, the same as it does in the Merc Sprinters, but the old, now scrapped and sold off LDV Convoys had very comfy seats. Not everybody thinks the same, some people find the Merc/Astra comfy.

Even after reading the advice i expect the OP will give them a bit of a "test sit".

asbokid

bigjl wrote: »

Pardon, fluid in the discs become more viscous?

I do mean more viscous(!).. i.e. more rubbery..

You do understand that as you get older the discs will tend to desicate, or dry out and degenerate?

Dry out, maybe, but not degenerate.

You also know that a large amount of sciatica is caused by a simple trapped nerve?

Yes, the nerve is pressed or "trapped" against a bulging or herniating disc. As the cartilage in the disc thickens with age, it tends to bulge less. This reduces the risk of relapse and the frequency and the severity of the attacks.

The Sciatic nerve, hence the name. As far as fading away when you reach your thirties, most people don't get sciatica untill their late thirties.

"Most disc herniations occur when a person is in their thirties or forties when the nucleus pulposus is still a gelatin-like substance.

"With age the nucleus pulposus changes ("dries out") and the risk of herniation is greatly reduced." -- wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_disc_herniation#Epidemiology

As far as medical advise goes, i am sure the OP has been to her GP, but getting a more comfortable car will definately help with any flare ups in the future.

If the sciatic pain is still present, instead of buying a new car, the OP should be demanding better clinical attention.

Has the OP had any form of scan of the spine? Has the OP been given a definite diagnosis of spinal disc herniation?

There are other ailments including osteoporosis, or even spinal tumours, that can present with similar symptoms.

mrbadexample

I've sciatica for about 16 years. Volvo seats are the best I've found, any Ford the worst.

thefishdude

have a touch of sciatica now and again myself it flares up every so often. i use to drive a fiat punto very low car and it could be a prob i now have 2002 renault scenic seats are alot higher its more like getting on and off a dinning chair. and i find it a lot better