Dislocated Elbow

[Hannah15]

I just severely dislocated my elbow last weekend, and have a fracture close to the joint as well. My friends and I have a booked trip to Disney World in about a month and a half. I’m in a full arm brace that does allow for controlled movement. I have extreme swelling and soreness in the soft tissue surrounding the joint. I have no idea where this will be in a month and a half, but the doctors have told me this injury requires a very long healing time.

What rides should I avoid? I haven’t been to Disney in 20 years, and know virtually nothing about the parks.

 

[Selket]

I just severely dislocated my elbow last weekend, and have a fracture close to the joint as well. My friends and I have a booked trip to Disney World in about a month and a half. I’m in a full arm brace that does allow for controlled movement. I have extreme swelling and soreness in the soft tissue surrounding the joint. I have no idea where this will be in a month and a half, but the doctors have told me this injury requires a very long healing time.

What rides should I avoid? I haven’t been to Disney in 20 years, and know virtually nothing about the parks.

Sorry to hear about your injury. I think in this case it would be helpful to talk to your doctor a couple of weeks before you go (so you know more about how the healing has progressed and how you feel).

My first thought is that any attraction that jiggles your arm or requires belts and shoulder harness might be too much...and that is most rides. Something very slow and calm like the Small World boat, Haunted Mansion, Navi River Journey boat and People Mover may work. Many rides have spinning or bouncing like Pooh or the Kilimanjaro Safari (which can be rough in terms of bouncing). Tower of Terror isn't rough exactly but it is a drop tower - would that hurt? Not sure. I had a severe head injury several years ago and just thinking of the rides that seem smooth to me...and didn't knock my head around. Dumbo and Tea Cups are ok if you take it easy...and you're ok with some spinning.

You may also want to try watching some videos of the rides on YouTube. I have seen people in casts riding things like Toy Story and even roller coasters - but it's hard to tell if your type of injury may require a more careful approach.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Selket - it will be important to talk with your doctor(s) to find out what types of motion and how much might be an issue.
The first thing to look at is the attractions with warnings - those are the ones Disney has identified as having issues for some people. The WDW website gives a list, but the warning itself is kind of generic.

This Post in thread 'disABILITIES FAQs - temporary & permanent disabled, 1st trip, next trip, Wish trip'
https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/post-40191044
has a bit more info about attractions with warnings (and some without warnings that posters have identified as possibly problematic).

 

[lizziepooh]

Getting in and out of some ride vehicles may be difficult if you can only use one arm. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[Hannah15]

Thanks everyone! I talked to my OT today, and she didn’t seem concerned at all. I was a bit surprised based on how they spoke about this injury, but she said that I should be fine by that point on anything that doesn’t require weight bearing on my arms. I’ll also ask my ortho surgeon his opinion, just to have two.