A&Q about Lotus
Q:
A little background:
In the beginning of August, I noticed that the outside of my left thigh had gone numb. Didn't think much of it at first, but after about 3 weeks it hadn't gotten better and I started to worry. I had to go overseas for a month and didn't have a chance to get it looked at. While overseas, it started to turn painful.
When I returned in late September, during the first drive in the Elise I noticed that the painful area was right where my left leg rests up against the door sill. It's painful enough that I consciously have to avoid my leg from resting there.
So I went to the neurologist yesterday, and he knew what the problem was right away. It was compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), causing the outside of the thigh to go numb. When it became painful, that was a sign that the nerve was regenerating, and it should fix itself within 6-8 weeks. The doc asked me if I knew of something that might have compressed it around the time this whole thing started. It was at this point I remembered I had driven to Maine & back (12 hours each way) in the elise right before I noticed the problem, and that's probably what caused it. He agreed.
Problem is, I'm wondering if the nerve will fix itself when I'm still driving the elise everyday (second car hasn't been driven in 6 months since I got the lotus and won't start). Even though I consciously try to avoid resting my leg there, it still happens.
And I'm wondering if I'm the only one who's had this issue - anyone else?
A:
Finally, some info! I have this problem in my right leg, just above the knee, outside of the thigh. I've had pain and numbness to the touch there for the last year or so. No doc knows what it is, I've had two MRIs and a CAT scan to try to figure it out, when one doc thought it might be a cancer. Gave me a good scare. Maybe I'll talk to them about this. And maybe time for a better seat.
Cade
A:
No, not to that degree. Did notice in doing a track or autox day, that the sides of my knees would get a bit tender. Have been using a knee pad, turn side ways for those times. Longer, normal drivers am pretty good about moving my knee off the side sill.
A:
No numbness but I do have a pretty regular bruise on my left thigh. It is at its worst after an autocross.
A:
Here's an intersting article on it. The problem appears to start in the pelvic region. Adjusting the lumbar support may be beneficial (or switching to the ProBax seat).
Tom
A:
I don't have this bad of an issue, but while in 6th on the highway, I lean my right knee against the shifter - RIGHT on the bone. I was thinking of putting one of those thin black rubber pads in the area. It does hurt after awhile.
Also, for the males in the group. Do you have to "adjust" yourself once settling into your seat? Maybe it's just me? Thank you very much.
A:
Originally Posted by Bob Dz.
I don't have this bad of an issue, but while in 6th on the highway, I lean my right knee against the shifter - RIGHT on the bone. I was thinking of putting one of those thin black rubber pads in the area. It does hurt after awhile.
Also, for the males in the group. Do you have to "adjust" yourself once settling into your seat? Maybe it's just me? Thank you very much.
Yes, or I sing an octave higher.
A:
Originally Posted by Bob Dz.
Also, for the males in the group. Do you have to "adjust" yourself once settling into your seat? Maybe it's just me? Thank you very much.
LOL!! Every time...
A:
Graydon and Cade, a pad should help avoid compression of the neuron and help with this issue. I had this while I was working as a waiter. I leant in the same fashion bracing myself against the table to reach and put down/pickup plates/glasses. It went away when I went to medschool and stopped waitering.
I would recommend a chat with a physical/occupational therapist to fashion a suitable padding to avoid compression in this area, or avoid repeat injury (which is frankly unthinkable considering the source ).
good luck.
A:
A previous thread suggested a mouse wrist pad from Staples and some sticky back Velcro (I got mine from Joann Fabric) works well for padding. My right knobby knee now has a nice soft cushiony pad rather than the hard shift housing. It should work just as well for your leg.
A:
I had a similar problem with my left elbow smacking the top of the door sill on long rides. I had my sills covered with leather and a thin pad and not had a problem since. After that I noticed that I was less likely to bruise my left knee area as well. It was a relatively cheap and easy fix.
A:
interesting to know about it starting in the lumbar region. Makes sense, and explains why I have pain in a part of my knee that doesn't contact anything.
Again, the depth of knowledge on this forum is amazing.
Cade
A:
Oh, yeah...one thing the Elise isn't good for is carrying "packages"...if ya know what I'm talkin' about...
A:
Glad you're getting better.
I'm wondering if size has anything to do with this? How tall are you guys that are experiencing problems? Inseam? Weight? If padding is related, do you have the Touring pack with it's extra carpet?
A:
I find that after 15 minutes in the car my cheeks start to ache and the grin takes roughly 24 hours to wear off.
A:
When I first got my Lotus I got a pain in the instep of both of my feet from the steep angle that is formed on the clutch, brake or accelerator.
It went away after a few weeks...
A:
I'm a neurologist and meralgia paresthetica is very common in my practice.
It results from compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it exits the inguinal canal i.e. groin. It generally results from tight pants, belts and big bellies...but being crunched up in a small elise with maximal flexion at the hips could certainly contribute to it. I would also look at other things you are doing that may compress the groin....even an inguinal hernia can be associated with it. The good news is that it will not cause weakness as it only involves the sensory nerve. Hope that helps.
A:
OK I have a similar pain but not related to driving the Elise. I wore a loose fitting ankle holster (Yes, with a gun....no lecture here please) and have had a similar pain now for much longer than it should take to heal. This is not in the thigh area though it is just above my ankle on the inside of the leg. My question for you doctor types is could this be a similar problem?
A:
I'm wondering if you'd notice a difference if you had the Probax seats. Supposedly it was designed to lessen pressure at certain pinch points.
A:
Originally Posted by azskycop
OK I have a similar pain but not related to driving the Elise. I wore a loose fitting ankle holster (Yes, with a gun....no lecture here please) and have had a similar pain now for much longer than it should take to heal. This is not in the thigh area though it is just above my ankle on the inside of the leg. My question for you doctor types is could this be a similar problem?
Sounds like when I went to the doctor complaining of a sore arm. The doctor said "what have you been doing?" I said, "Shooting my Freedom Arms .44 Magnum at the range alot." The doctor said..."Don't do that for a while."
The pain went away.
Hmmmmm...