Sprained Knee Issues

[katybugsmom]

Hi everyone!
I sprained my knee over a month ago and it's healing slowly. I'm able to walk on it without limping now, but it still gets tired and sore. We leave for WDW Thursday and I need some advice. I have rented an ECV for our stay because I have had back surgery in the last two years and can't do all the walking required in WDW. Should a wrap my knee in an ace bandage or buy a knee brace to wear in the parks? My doctor didn't think a brace would be helpful, but I didn't know if it would help stabalize my knee while I'm walking short distances and on rides. She did advice me to wrap it at night and elevate it, but thought wearing it during the day would cause even more swelling. I didn't know if anyone out there had the same issues in the past while on a trip. Thanks so much for your help in advance!

 

[christymarie]

When I sprained my knee I had to wrap it at night because when you roll over you don't always remember to bring your lower leg and since you are so relaxed it can further irritate damaged tissue.

It's great that you are renting an ECV that will be the most help. Make sure you take Ibuprofin (if your doc allows) as it will help with any swelling. Also, don't try to do too much. Even with an ECV you will still need to stop throughout the day and elevate your leg. The First Aid stations are great for this and will even have ice packs there. They are air conditioned so pick a few times a day when DH can take your kids on a few rides and you can go there for about 20 minutes.

You will only know after the first day how well your knee can handle Disney, just be prepared to not get as much done as when you are healthy but sometimes that is when you find some of the fun details you miss when running around the park.

 

[GrammyJudy]

make sure you use the handicap entrance on all the rides as then there is very liitle walking. I bought a foldup cane at Walmart and it fie right in the basket of the ECV and was helpful. Don't wrap it.

 

[SueM in MN]

make sure you use the handicap entrance on all the rides as then there is very liitle walking. I bought a foldup cane at Walmart and it fie right in the basket of the ECV and was helpful. Don't wrap it.

Just be aware that most attractions do not have a handicapped entrance that is a shorter distance. Many attractions have Mainstream Access, which means that the regular line used by everyone is wheelchair / ECV accessible. AM and the Studios were built with almost all Mainstream Access. Because of this, in many cases, the walk will be the same no matter how you get in.
So, if possible, use the ECV or wheelchair in line (all attractions do have a way that is wheelchair accessible). for those attractions that have a wheelchair accessible entrance to avoid stairs or other barriers to wheelchairs, the distance walked may or may not be shorter.

The only reason I'm mentioning this is that there have been a number of posts and/or Pms from people who thought they would limit walking by using handicapped entrances and found that was not the case.