Advice for Doing Parks with Slightly(?) Torn ACL

[lady_hlh]

I'm stressing out big time, my DD injured her knee doing an obstacle course at running camp almost 2 weeks ago. The sports medicine doctor said it is her ACL and she is having an MRI tomorrow AM to see if there is a tear. My DD just went for a hike around the neighborhood with one her friends wearing an Ace knee sleeve and is complaining her knee hurts. I don't know if she is going to be up for 10 miles of walking a day at WDW Has anyone done the parks with this type of injury. We are leaving on Sunday AM, unless the doctor says there is no way that she can do the trip I'm thinking that we'll still go because this is our big vacation before school starts back up.

 

[Gillyrose779]

As long as the doctor says she is okay to go then go... and get a scooter.

It may sounds silly but that's what she needs. Also, if it is uncomfortable to stand in the lines for a certain period of time for her then get a disability card (I forget the name Disney uses) so you can get into the correct line for her.

Really it is up to the doctor and what he recommends.

I've know at least three people who have torn their ACL- not fun- good luck to her.

 

[OurBigTrip]

As long as the doctor says she is okay to go then go... and get a scooter.

It may sounds silly but that's what she needs. Also, if it is uncomfortable to stand in the lines for a certain period of time for her then get a disability card (I forget the name Disney uses) so you can get into the correct line for her.

Really it is up to the doctor and what he recommends.

I've know at least three people who have torn their ACL- not fun- good luck to her.

Just as an FYI to the OP, if it is a mobility issue, GS will most likely not issue a DAS (Disability Access Service) card for her. She will be advised to use a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair. She may not be old enough to rent a scooter, but not sure about that.

 

[mlprahl]

I tore my ACL prior to going to Disney a few years ago. The doctor told me that I could either have the surgery and plan to be on crutches for the trip or wear a brace, prepare to use ice every night, and hope that it would remain intact until post-Disney. This is now why I buy insurance for each trip, just in case...but at the time I didn't and it was our son's first visit so I decided to hold out until after Disney.

If the doctor were to give her something stronger (and bulkier) than an ACE bandage, she'll probably be okay stability-wise. But nothing's 100% and I would hate to think of what you would have to go through should she somehow tear the rest of the ligament while you're at WDW.

I fear you're probably just going to be at the mercy of the MRI and the doctor's recommendation. Best wishes!

 

[minnie mum]

Unless it is a complete tear, and that sounds unlikely, I doubt the doctor would ban the trip. But he may certainly limit her activities for a while. She is probably too young to rent a scooter, but she would have no trouble experiencing almost everything with a wheelchair. If you go to the DisAbilities board, they have a sticky with just about everything you would need to know, including the contact info for off site companies that rent wheelchairs.

 

[lady_hlh]

My dd is only 12 so I don't think they'll rent us a scooter for her. I don't think she has a large tear in her acl but we'll find that out on Friday. I guess worse case is renting a wheelchair and spending more time at the pool unless the doctor says NO to the trip. I don't know when we would reschedule it for because acl surgery sounds like it has a very long recovery time. My dd is going to be so bummed out if she spends the rest of summer vacation having surgery and no trip.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

My dd is only 12 so I don't think they'll rent us a scooter for her. I don't think she has a large tear in her acl but we'll find that out on Friday. I guess worse case is renting a wheelchair and spending more time at the pool unless the doctor says NO to the trip. I don't know when we would reschedule it for because acl surgery sounds like it has a very long recovery time. My dd is going to be so bummed out if she spends the rest of summer vacation having surgery and no trip.

Best of luck. I can't imagine dr would say no trip though. I would imagine she'll need a wheelchair tho. My knee has been bothering me for a couple months. Had mri a couple weeks ago and shows 2 "floaters" and shaggy cartilage. I follow up with surgeon next monday and have every intention of begging to schedule a knee scope for later in the week. My trip I end of Oct so sooner I get it, the sooner I can start recovering. But right now....there is no way I could do even a day at the park unless in a wheelchair or scooter.

 

[mercydisney]

You will have no problem with a wheelchair. DD had major surgery on her knee and we went to Disney when she was still in a wheelchair. We had handicap parking, we were able to park right in the front of the park with no problem. With the wheelchair you still wait in a regular line but in some rides they bring you to a different section of the ride to get you on. She was not able to bend her knee all the way so on some rides the wheelchair went with us.

Do not worry about getting her around Disney is very helpful. We did not have the special pass I have heard about for disabilities but did not need it because was very accommodating.

Do not stress you will have a great time. I would let the hotel know that your DD will need a room on the ground floor or near an elevator.

 

[dclampffer]

I hope she is OK.

 

[Zachsmom4]

I have a torn ACL and have done the parks twice now. My orthopedic surgeon told me to ice, ice, ice and keep the knee strong. It works and I have put off surgery for 7 years. A lot of walking does make it sore, but Advil works well.

 

[ZoZo]

You're dealing with a really recent injury, so I would definitely take it easy on the walking, since she could injure it further. Walking 8 to 10 miles per day is tough enough for people without injuries, so think about how hard it would be for your DD!

If she's old enough to rent a scooter (18+ years old), that would probably be the best option.

If not, a wheelchair would be the best. You can rent one from an offsite company so you have it with you at the resort, on buses, etc. Plus it's cheaper than renting per-day at the parks. Don't risk further injury by toughing it out!