Range of motion in leg/pain question

[caribou47]

Hi -- I hope someone can help. We leave in two days for Disney. My 40-year old husband has arthritis and limited range of motion in one hip due to a childhood illness. It's hard for him to get into any kind of narrow space where both legs have to bend to get in (most automobiles have room for him to sit and turn, the way older folks do, and once he's in and sitting, he's OK). We love Disney but he has a particularly bad memory of trying to fold himself into the car at Space Mountain last time. That was years ago and he's lost more range of motion since then, so he's worried.

My question is, given that we're focusing on preschooler-age rides (traveling with our 2-year old and 4-year old), do we need to worry whether he can physically get on those rides? Something like Small World should be OK, or Haunted Mansion, from what I recall. I don't know if he could get onto something like Big Thunder but we probably won't be riding coaster-type rides anyway. I think he's afraid he'll get all the way up to a ride and then realize too late that he can't manage to get in.

Thanks for any ideas. I don't know quite how to get a handle on what rides we can do because a ride that's "accessible" for someone in a wheelchair might not be accessible for him, or vice versa. But learning by trial and error will be embarrassing for him, or painful if he tries to force himself onto a ride to avoid embarrassment. :-(

The related question is, any suggestions for pain management while we're there? Any day that he gets in and out of the car too many times, he's sore and uncomfortable later. I think even one day at the parks might be really hard on him, and we're staying for a week. His doctor kind of brushed off the question, said to take Aleve, but I'm not sure he should be taking that around the clock for a week straight. Is there something else we should ask his doctor for, or anything else we can do?

Thanks,
Laurie

 

[powellrj]

I would look into renting an ECV. It could make all the difference for him. There is a sticky at the top of the page that talks about renting them and it would make a huge difference in his trip.

Good Luck!

 

[livndisney]

Hi -- I hope someone can help. We leave in two days for Disney. My 40-year old husband has arthritis and limited range of motion in one hip due to a childhood illness. It's hard for him to get into any kind of narrow space where both legs have to bend to get in (most automobiles have room for him to sit and turn, the way older folks do, and once he's in and sitting, he's OK). We love Disney but he has a particularly bad memory of trying to fold himself into the car at Space Mountain last time. That was years ago and he's lost more range of motion since then, so he's worried.

My question is, given that we're focusing on preschooler-age rides (traveling with our 2-year old and 4-year old), do we need to worry whether he can physically get on those rides? Something like Small World should be OK, or Haunted Mansion, from what I recall. I don't know if he could get onto something like Big Thunder but we probably won't be riding coaster-type rides anyway. I think he's afraid he'll get all the way up to a ride and then realize too late that he can't manage to get in.

Thanks for any ideas. I don't know quite how to get a handle on what rides we can do because a ride that's "accessible" for someone in a wheelchair might not be accessible for him, or vice versa. But learning by trial and error will be embarrassing for him, or painful if he tries to force himself onto a ride to avoid embarrassment. :-(

The related question is, any suggestions for pain management while we're there? Any day that he gets in and out of the car too many times, he's sore and uncomfortable later. I think even one day at the parks might be really hard on him, and we're staying for a week. His doctor kind of brushed off the question, said to take Aleve, but I'm not sure he should be taking that around the clock for a week straight. Is there something else we should ask his doctor for, or anything else we can do?

Thanks,
Laurie

In my experience with my hip problem: Most of Fantasyland is ok. The step into IASW can be painful and sitting in the boat can be tight depending on how long your legs are. I don't have a problem sitting in Big Thunder, but the "jerkyness" gets to me lately. (I have the same problem at Toystory Mania. ) I have problems with Splash Mountain-almost could not get in the log last time. The side of the log was high . I have not done Space Mountain in years, so I can't comment on that one. Dumbo, Pooh, Peter Pan, I have no problem with pain. Goofy's Coaster "may" be tight.

I take Aleve, it helps. I also use ice packs when I can. If he is in pain, go to First aid, he can ice his hip and lay down for a bit. (Baby Care in MK is right next to First Aid so he can rest and you can take the littles ones to play)

 

[LindaBabe]

My ortho told me to take a theraputic dose of advil before the pain got bad. (A theraputic dose is more than it says on the bottle - ask your doc) He said it was easier to interrupt the pain cycle before it got a good hold, than to knock it out once it had gotten severe.

 

[foxlore]

I have arthritis and an issue that bothers my "hip" - we're still trying to figure out exactly what it is - SI joint, hip issue - maybe both... I'm also about your husband's age... I guess the big question is how much pain is your husband in?? If he has a good amount of inflammation and pain then I frankly would suggest a prescription anti-inflammatory. I've been on most of them - my preference (due to relief) is diclofenac. It's a generic and inexpensive. I also (unfortunately) take vicodin on the bad days. I've tried celebrex, mobic and others, but find more relief with diclofenac. It's really personal preference. The good news is that I've gotten off most of the meds in the past year - I rarely take them now. I try to implement and anti-inflammatory diet and use glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Something is working and I'm not going to mess with it... I've also used Zyflamend in the past (herbal mix - health food store) and it seemed to help, but it's pretty expensive. I think I'm doing just as well now... So, what I'm saying is Aleve wouldn't do squat for me. If I needed relief in a high maintenance situation, like Disney, I would do diclofenac twice a day. You have to maintain it consistently to some extent - pain management and inflammation management aren't hit and miss.

I also completely agree with the previous post suggesting a vehicle... I would definitely rent one... There are many companies in the area that will do it weekly or you can get a length of stay discount with WDW. I recently broke my foot - am a mess - have been using a wheelchair at WDW - too cheap to fork over the $45. LOL Besides, DH needs the workout.

As for the rides... Amazingly enough I've found I can do many. I don't do well on the really jerky rides - Space Mountain is out for me. Most of the kiddie rides at MK seemed fine - just did Peter Pan, Pooh and Snow White a couple weeks ago... Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Small World also were fine. Big Thunder Mountain was also fine, but I was worried about banging my foot - they were great - had the row to myself and it was just fine. Also, with the chair we went in a separate entrance on most of the rides. Can your husband step in a ride or does he have to sit and then turn into the seat?

I think you'll have a lot more fun using the ECV - DH won't be so tired and sore and you'll likely get around faster. It's well worth it not to overtire him... We're local now so when we go it's just one day - not so much. Also, you can get a pass at Guest Services - will last the length of your stay - to provide any necessary assistance. Oh and another perk I discovered - great parade seating!! That's a huge bonus with your little ones. Have a GREAT TRIP!!

 

[SueM in MN]

My ortho told me to take a theraputic dose of advil before the pain got bad. (A theraputic dose is more than it says on the bottle - ask your doc) He said it was easier to interrupt the pain cycle before it got a good hold, than to knock it out once it had gotten severe.

That is very true.
He may also need stronger medication, but whatever he uses, it is easier to prevent pain than to stop it once it starts.

Also, with the chair we went in a separate entrance on most of the rides. Can your husband step in a ride or does he have to sit and then turn into the seat?

That is true at MK, but the Studio and AK have almost all accessible entrances/lines, so they have no 'separate entrances'. And, a separate entrance does not necessarily mean a shorter wait. In some case, your wait will be longer.

Also, you can get a pass at Guest Services - will last the length of your stay - to provide any necessary assistance. Oh and another perk I discovered - great parade seating!! That's a huge bonus with your little ones. Have a GREAT TRIP!!

It is called a Guest Assistance Card (not a pass). There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (you can find that thread near the top of this board or use the link in my signature to get there).

 

[SueM in MN]

ALMOST FORGOT!
On allearsnet.com , there is a page that has links to pictures of most of the vehicle ride cars at WDW. Also, if you look near the top of this forum for the EPCOT FAQs thread, there are some pictures of attractions at Epcot.

 

[caribou47]

SueM, that link to the photos of the vehicles for each ride is priceless, what a great idea. It's exactly what we need. We can tell, for example, that Goofy's Barnstormer is probably out -- I'll take my son on that one instead. It's reassuring to see that most of the rides we're planning to go on are plenty open-enough for getting in comfortably. When the boys are older and want to ride the coasters, then we're in trouble (but by then, that hip may have been replaced and perhaps my husband will be able to hop on Space Mountain with no problem at all! We'll see!).

Thanks so much for the help and reassurance -- lots of great suggestions and information here. I appreciate it so much!!