Patella tendon surgery. Anyone have experience at WDW after this surgery?

[disneygrandma]

A family member recently tore a patella tendon and had surgery last week to repair it. He's in a restrictive knee brace to keep from bending his knee, and is currently using crutches. Our WDW trip will be 4 weeks post op. We're renting an ECV to help him get around, but we're wondering about which rides he will be able to experience? Will he need to be in a wheelchair for some of the rides? And will he be allowed to go in to the pools with the brace on?

We would appreciate any and all info and tips to help us navigate thru this situation. Thanks so much!

 

[Bjkandma]

I strongly recommend that you have this discussion with his doctor. I had a total knee replacement (proud owner of a hinged knee with rods from thigh to almost ankle to hold in place. Travel was prohibited for six weeks). If a doctor says brace can go in pool, Disney won't disagree.

Will he need to be in a wheelchair for rides, or will he be able to ride? Unfortunately, those questions (I feel) should be addressed by the doctor.

Hopefully, things will go well and you can experience a magical vacation!!

 

[mamabunny]

I strongly recommend that you have this discussion with his doctor. I had a total knee replacement (proud owner of a hinged knee with rods from thigh to almost ankle to hold in place. Travel was prohibited for six weeks). If a doctor says brace can go in pool, Disney won't disagree.

Will he need to be in a wheelchair for rides, or will he be able to ride? Unfortunately, those questions (I feel) should be addressed by the doctor.

Hopefully, things will go well and you can experience a magical vacation!!

Just adding on a bit to @Bjkandma's excellent advice: If he isn't already in PT (physical therapy) he probably will be at some point. He needs to also work with his physical therapist regarding the trip (if he is already going to PT). They can help him "practice" getting up and down from a seated position safely.

Another consideration is how he will travel to and from WDW - if he is flying, there may be special considerations for that (especially if he is wearing a brace with "air bladders" - those can inflate during cabin pressurization and become *extremely* painful). He will need to arrange for wheelchair assistance at each airport he uses; concourses can be a very long distance from the curb.

If he is driving to WDW, he may need to stop more often, and stretch, and potentially end the travel day earlier than normal so that he can prop up the leg in a hotel room.

Last, but surely not least, if he is cleared to travel to WDW by his medical team, remember that he can visit the First Aid stations in each of the 4 theme parks if he needs to use an ice pack/prop up his leg for a bit.