Active toddler in a leg cast?

[NotUrsula]

Well, fate just bit us on the tush today. DD (21 months) broke her tibia in a playground accident. We leave for Orlando the day after tomorrow. (We can't cancel and go at another time, because these were free air tickets that had to be used by this date. DH is also attending a conference for a couple of the days of our trip.)

The break is not a very severe one; in fact it took several hours before we really knew there was anything wrong with her leg. (She was upset when she fell, of course, and insisted on being held for quite some time; it wasn't until after she calmed down and tried to get down and walk that we realized that she couldn't put weight on the foot.) The break is 2 inches above the ankle; she has it casted to about 3 inches below the knee.

The trick is that this was supposed to be a low-key trip with only one park day, the rest of it centered around swimming at our resort's extensive pool complex. I've been told I can bag her leg, but how realistic is that? Does it really work, or is it even more impossible to get a little kid to deal with a bag on her foot as it is with the brick?

Can anyone will experience of trying to do a trip with a toddler in a cast give me some tips on how to keep both of us sane (especially if you had an older child to deal with -- and not totally disappoint) as well? I can change tacks and do more park days, but DH won't be able to come, so I'll have to let my older one ride alone on quite a few rides if I do that.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Did they give you a walking boot for the cast? My cousin's little boy broke his leg when he was about that age falling on the playground of McDonald's. The cast didn't slow him down at all. I have no experience with trying to keep the cast dry as the biggest bones my kids have broken are fingers and toes. I'm surprised with only a few days before your trip that you didn't ask for a waterproof cast.

 

[laughinplace199]

I know you're probably pressed for time since you're leaving soon, but is there any way you could call the dr and see if they can put your DD in a waterproof cast before you leave?

DD9 fractured her wrist a couple of weeks ago and we leave for WDW next week. They gave her a waterproof cast so she will still be able to swim, shower, go on Splash Mtn, etc.

Good luck.

 

[dogodisney]

My DGD(4 at the time) broke her femur last May. She didn't have a cast but ended up having surgery to have pins inserted. She had incisions on both side of the knee that could not get wet and shecould not walk on that leg for a few weeks. Thankfully for us we did not have any trips planned. We do have a pool, so I bought her this lttle inflatable boat. I wrapped her leg in plastic bags and we'd put her in the boat and pulled her around the pool. She thought that was the greatest thing.

 

[jimandami]

I second the waterproof cast. DS broke his tibia when he was 3 1/2 and it was so nice to have a waterproof cast....he could take baths, swim, whatever. If that isn't possible, they do have bags that are specifically made for casts. When he was just in a splint (they waited for the swelling to go down before casting), we bought one of these and it did work pretty well, we never had a problem with leaking or anything. I think DH got it at Target. I know it is stressful to have your DD in a cast, but it didn't really bother DS at all (and he is VERY active). Within a day or two, he was just scooting around all over the place. Good luck and try to have fun on your trip!

 

[NotUrsula]

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse anyone -- the cast is waterproof; the bagging issue was for sand, which is what we're not supposed to get in the cast.

Of course, I've never dealt with a waterproof cast, either, and neither has DH. Between us, we managed never to experience a cast, and older DS11 has never broken a bone. I'm completely clueless about casts, though I do understand that the itchiness is an issue; they said to use a cool blow dryer and a dose of Benedryl if she fusses about it.

She's not supposed to put weight on it for 2 weeks, then we'll see if they will switch to a walking boot. This is apparently what's called a Toddler's Fracture; a spiral crack in the tibia just above the ankle. I'm going to ask for a GAC to try to allow the stroller as a wheelchair, so that we don't have to carry her in all the ride lines.

I'm actually thankful that we're going to Florida this first week while we get used to it, though the flights have me a bit worried, due to the cabin pressure issues. It's still cold here, and I think it will be easier while we're still getting used to it to be able to keep her in light dresses.

 

[Desiree1972]

My son did the exact same thing on his 2nd bday going down a tube slide - he wasn't supposed to put weight on it...
he was sprinting within a couple of days and it really was no big deal

stay away from sand and enjoy the water and park!

have fun