I broke my foot!!!!! I need suggestions please!

[Zoo Keeper]

Help!
I broke my auxillary navicular (it's an extra bone in my foot right by the arch) in May and was put in a walking cast in June. I was at the doctor's yesterday and she said it was still fractured. Right now, I am to use an ankle brace most of the day and the walking cast when it becomes painful.
Now I am getting nervous. I planned our WDW/DCL trip for the latest I could before school starts but since my foot is still sore, I'm worried it's not going to be up to all the walking.
The doctor told me to take my walking cast to wear around the resort when I'm tired. And I have an ankle supoort I have to get used to for walking in the parks.
Any advice on what type of shoe I can used with the brace?
And any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[LIGrumpyGirl]

Why not rent a wheelchair from WDW or an outside company?

 

[Zoo Keeper]

It's just going to be me and my DD so I don't know if she is up to that. And if I can get comfortable shoes for walking I'd rather do that

 

[goldneye]

You can rent the scooters at the parks. My sister did that (medical problem) and she did VERY good keeping up. She also cleared the way through the masses for us! We were all given priority when we came up to the line and they go out of the way to see that you are safe, seated, whatever.

I know about broken feet! I broke a little toe on my left foot in June of one year and then broke my OTHER foot the very same year in September. NOT FUN!

Oh, I didn't wear my half boot as per doctor's instructions, now I have one foot bigger than the other and one little toe that's crooked.

OK, a little too much info there! Sorry!!

 

[pezheadmeg]

A wheel chair or an EVC rental would be a big help.

I however hated even using one while shopping when I was on the crutches after shattering my ankle. Does the doc have you in a brace or more of an aircast for the support? I find that wearing a cross trainer or trail sneaker that goes a little bit higher up does the trick on the days I'm stuck in the brace because of agiated tendons.

As for nights at the resort, I ice for 30 to 60 minutes and that makes a major difference. I also find heat helps to dull the pain if needed. Also, the best trick I've learned over time is that if I'm sore at the end of the day to sleep in the aircast. It keeps the ankle stable so I'm not accidently twisting it in my sleep.


Pop over to the disabiities board, I'm sure they'll be a wealth of info too.

 

[Zoo Keeper]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I don't have an aircast. I have a walking cast with a hard plastic shell and foam inside. It goes up midcalf.
So I don't think I can sleep in that but I think I can sleep in the splint/brace.
Do you think that would work?

By the way, did you use the pools?

Thanks again

 

[Tink-aholic]

I have a walking cast with a hard plastic shell and foam inside. It goes up midcalf.

If you are flying, DO NOT wear this cast on the plane! Make sure your doctor knows your flight plans well in advance. Casts and flying can possibly result in DVT (deep vein thrombosis), which is a blood clot in the leg. It is even more likely if you smoke or on birth control.

Other than that, you can sleep in it. You can swim without it, but you should use crutches to help you around the pool and to get in and out.

Good luck.

 

[disney6family]

I too have an ankle brace and like the previous posters, I recommend wearing a good quality walking shoe (mine are reebok dmx, but have had good success with NB and Nike also) Keep to the minimum walking by planning out your days with a minimum of backtracking, when in line, shift your weight to the other foot as much as possible and ice down your foot every night. It hurts on the days you walk all day on it, but after a couple days back you are back to 'normal' pain levels. Also, I have the kind of brace that laces up, then double crosses over my ankle, then velcros at the top and I find that if I am sitting for an extended period on all day walking days, undoing the velcro at the top while I am sitting helps with my comfort of the swelling that goes up my leg.

 

[Zoo Keeper]

I too have an ankle brace and like the previous posters, I recommend wearing a good quality walking shoe (mine are reebok dmx, but have had good success with NB and Nike also) Keep to the minimum walking by planning out your days with a minimum of backtracking, when in line, shift your weight to the other foot as much as possible and ice down your foot every night. It hurts on the days you walk all day on it, but after a couple days back you are back to 'normal' pain levels. Also, I have the kind of brace that laces up, then double crosses over my ankle, then velcros at the top and I find that if I am sitting for an extended period on all day walking days, undoing the velcro at the top while I am sitting helps with my comfort of the swelling that goes up my leg.

Thanks for the reply. I have a question about a walking shoe. Does it need to be one higher up on the ankle? I have read many posts about hiking boots but I really do not want to go that route.

 

[disney6family]

My shoes come right to below the bone that sticks out on your ankle (well on my one foot it does - the other is so swollen I haven't seen it in months! ) I personally feel more comfortable like this and my brace fits well inside my shoe.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

Rent an ECV. They are a lot easier than wheelchairs, and nobody in your party has to push you around.

 

[honugirl]

I just came back from 11 days at WDW after having an ankle reconstruction in March. I used an Aircast Airsport brace. It's really light weight, comfortable, and doesn't move around at all. Plus it's small enough to fit in most shoes. Crocs actually can be pretty comfortable with the brace on. I also went to a good walking/running store where I live and got fitted for a good pair of sneakers. Also, try superfeet insoles. What I wore most was my pair of Keen sandals. They are light, have good arch support, and are adjustable, plus they have a toe cap on them so people won't step on you (protected them too when those stroller parents ran me over!!!!) There are plenty of benches for people watching when the foot gets sore. Bring a plastic bag with arthritis tylenol in it with you to the parks every day.

I really wouldn't bother with a wheelchair or EVC, unless it is absolutely, completely, totally necessary. I brought my wheelchair in case I needed it and ended up not using it because it would have been too much of a hassle. Plus there are times that if you park hop, you may not get one at the next park when it's busy.

Take your time, plan your route, and take a lot of breaks. You've still got time, another month. You may be completely pain free by then. Might want to see if pool or physical therapy can help you progress faster.

 

[PirateMel]

Hello,
I went to Disney in December after tearing all the ligaments in my ankle four days before I left. MAKE sure you consult you DR, I went AMA, and the plane ride with the air cast almost did me in, not enough pain killers to last for 3 hour flight.
The people in Disney were wonderful helping me and allowing access. I went with my mom, who is very tiny, so I refused the wheelchair and opted for the cruthches, after two days, I gave them up. I wore AVIA walking sneakers which support the air cast. They are great and comfortable. At night I did the hot bath, before taking the pain killers, anti-anflamitorys, nothing good
Good luck, and try to enjoy, but watch out for the stollers, they really hurt! If you are using Disney buses, make sure you tell the driver, and they will let you sit, if the bus is crouded, lots of really nice people there!

 

[Zoo Keeper]

Thanks so much for the advice. I was at the doctor's today and she said I should take my walking cast but hopefully I will just need an ankle splint by then. I started Physical Therapy and they are aware that my goal is to be able to walk around Disney. The only pain I have right now is from the tendon so hopefully in a little over five weeks we can get it strengthened.
I was thinking about a pair of crocs beacsue they are the same height as my walking cast so I won't be uneven.
I also need to get a wider pair of sneakers so the brace fits in it properly.
I will be having surgery to remove the extra bone sometime this year. When I have it done will depend on how well I do at Disney.
I keep reminding myself that I walked around NYC for 12 hours with a broken foot(before I knew it was broke) so I should be OK.
Thanks again and keep the advice coming
Sue

 

[Tinkergirl]

You live in PA? You should have a Foot Solutions near you. www.footsolutions.com They have all kinds of footwear for people in your situation and most employees are certified pedorthists. I know... I manage one in New York. I'll be honest, I don't love my job , but the products work. Oh, it can be pricey, but if it work's it work's! Good luck!

 

[zumbergc]

I recommend going over to the disabilities thread. At the top in the sticky's there is one with lists of offsite ecv rentals.

If you get to disney, and your current plan is to walk, and it turns out to be too painful you'll have a good alternative plan.
Its better rent offisite so you can use the scooter at the resort, they are quit large, and if your in pain, its a long walk. If you park hop you always have the ecv.
You have much more freedom w/ the ecv than the wheelchair,
wheelchair means someone has to push you. Thats exhasting.

Make sure to ice the painful areas first thing in the morning, and then at the end of the day, or mid day too if you take breaks.
First aid centers you can get an ice pack if needed.

Be extra aware at AK. Its a sneaky place w/ all those themed fossils in the pavement, and bumpy surfaces, and all those hills.
If you have feet problems, just be aware of the possibilities of being extra sore that day.

Make sure to bring your pain relievers with you into the park.
I've seen many a leg injury people, grabbing at the injury in the park after a couple hours with their pain relievers back at the resort.

Have a great trip, just be flexible with your touring, take breaks, and if the pain is making your kind of grumpy, if could mean ecv time.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Rent an ECV. They are a lot easier than wheelchairs, and nobody in your party has to push you around.

Walker Mobility Rents ECV's. They will have it waiting when you check in and pick it up when you leave. Runs 30.00 a day and you have it 24 hrs a day. No fun being on vacation and being in PAIN.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Thanks for the suggestions.

So I don't think I can sleep in that but I think I can sleep in the splint/brace.
Do you think that would work?

I injured my ankle very badly last year - tore 3 ligaments and bruised the bones all the way to the bone marrow. I was in one of those walking casts and on crutches for months. One thing my doctor specificially said is not to wrap my ankle or wear any kind of support at night. He said unless you have a non-removable cast, you should sleep with nothing on your ankle. Nighttime is when most of the healing takes place and you don't want to constrict the blood vessels.

What helped me at night was to build a little "tent" to put my foot in. I would prop up two pillows and put my foot between them to keep the blankets from resting on my foot. That way my foot wouldn't get tangled when I turned over. I also used my own blanket for a while when it was really bad and let my husband have the rest of the covers. Then when he turned over, he wouldn't inadvertently pull the covers across my foot and make it bend.

I would definitely look into getting an ECV to use at the parks. Not only do you not want to be in pain, you want your ankle to heal properly. Minimizing the walking will help it get better sooner. Good luck!

 

[caroline1851]

I had a broken foot-took 10 months to heal. Anyway, i'd go with the walking cast and then a good solid running show on your good foot.