Riding rides after knee surgery?

[Momofbeauty&2beasts]

Hi everyone!! I have been reading here for awhile now, trying to gather as much info as possible before our first family trip to Disney. You are all so helpful and are giving me lots to consider.

Anyway, we leave in less than 4 weeks for the most magical week of our lives and unfortunately, we were thrown for a loop when my husband wrecked his ATV and will be having ACL/MCL repair surgery in 2 weeks
We CANNOT reschedule our trip because this is the only week that I can get off of work this year, my parents have already paid for accomodations, park tickets, etc....not to mention my kids are soooo looking forward to this and have been counting down for almost a year now! I do not mind having to push him around in a wheelchair at the parks, but my question is: will he be permitted on the rides? He will be in a knee brace. But I am thinking he should still be able to go on most of the rides, right? Or will the cast members not allow it? He is very disappointed (and obviously mad at himself!) because this is his first Disney trip and he will not get to enjoy it much

Thanks!

 

[Raenstoirm]

A) rent a scooter. The offsite companies are very reasonable. My husband and I walk at least 10 miles a day at disney, so that would be a lot of pushing!

To actually answer your question though, as long as his knee can bend and he can hobble into seats, he can ride anything. If his knee is set straight (not bent), he will be very limited. Most rides require a seated position and have a bench right in front (think short plastic bus seats)

 

[Nadjalu]

Be careful on the rides.....

We don't realize how much we use are knees to balance when on a ride, it is natural for the body to just do it.

So one ride I know is hard on the knees is BTMRR. While it isn't that big a deal, on the quick turns that lap bar hit the knee cap just right and bangs it up a bit.

As above, use the ECVs and don't push it. You most certainly don't want to have a redo surgery.

Have fun and enjoy.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Good call on the BTMRR and knee injury. I find that painful in general. I wouldn't call it a smooth ride!

 

[Canyon girl]

Having had knee surgery in the past, I can't imagine going on many of the rides 2 weeks after, and I did not as intensive surgery as it sounds like your DH is having. Some of the rides take quite a bit of stress on the knees to get in and out of. Most of the rides require basically a 90 degree knee bend to sit on the ride. Definitely get him an ECV. Check out the disAbilities part of the boards for info on some outside companies to rent from that are cheaper than renting in the parks. You will still have fun, but I think his riding rides will be limited.

 

[mamamac]

I just had mine fixed on Monday and I am already walking. Yes, walking unassisted, no crutches. Now could I walk Disney right now, probably not.

As long as all goes well with the surgery he should be ok and will be able to do more than you think, but I would definitely get that scooter or wheelchair. He may still have problems getting up and out of some of those rides but it just depends on how his quad strength comes back.

Good luck to him!

Oh and see if he can get it moved up if there is a cancellation. One week earlier will mean he has one more week of healing!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the disABILITIES Forum. One of the first threads is the disABILITIES FAQs. On Post #2 we have a lot of information for people with mobility problems. To get directly to the disABILITIES FAQs from here just click on the link in my signature.

And CMs are not permitted to stop a person from any attraction as long as they meet the height requirments and do not pose a hazard to other Guests.

 

[TRICKY_TINK]

eek

 

[jtopp]

Went to WDW 3 weeks post op for a ACL/MCL repair, and it was the perfect rehab. Took pain meds by the end of the day, but was able to bend enough to get in/ out of most attractions. If you have to do rehab, I can think of a lot worse places to do it!

 

[Cyrano]

3 year old thread. closed