Suggestions for dealing with hip pain with standing

[abbyandangel]

I can walk for miles but standing is extremely painful. I have arthritis and bursitis. I can’t do the long lines. I got the genie+ on the last trip but was unable to tolerate the VQ for Tron and Guardians. Even the LL for Guardians was long and painful. I hate to think that my Disney days are behind me. Anyone have suggestions on how to manage this situation? I get GI bleeds with NSAIDS, Tylenol was no help at all. I would consider buying a rollator to sit on but I don’t think it would be helpful in a line where I need to slowly move forward. I did try pacing last trip but there’s really not enough room to do that. I don’t have a group to hold the space. I don’t want the hassle or expense of renting an EVC. I don’t think a cane chair would work because the Guardians que isn’t flat. Any suggestions?

 

[Bete]

Although none of us like the cost of a scooter it's a life saver at Disney. You have to look at it as an investment in your park time. Less pain on a scooter means more time in the parks. So, in reality you get a better bang for your bucks. Park tickets are not free; so, the more you are in the parks because you are using a scooter the better the value. For starters try the scooters at the grocery stores and such to get a feel for one. The hardest part of using the scooter is getting on and off the Disney transportation system, especially buses. With time this gets better. Also, you have to pay attention in a crowded park not to run into someone. Kids get excited and may dart out quickly in front of your scooter; so, you need to pay attention to your surroundings and have quick reflexes, too. Again, with time you get use to it. Make sure you use a ramp like the wheelchairs to get around in certain areas; you don't want to jump a curb. If you are using your car to get around Disney then get a lightweight portable scooter to rent. They are easier to get in and out of your car.

If that's a no for you then the rollator walker will be the next best option. Then you can sit when necessary.

We use a strategy to do rides and alternate with some shows: so, we can have a rest at the shows. A park meal is a good way to have a rest, too.

 

[Barbday62]

I have hip pain and believe it or not the elastic with Velcro brace II got at Amazon for $30 for back brace helps my hips. It even stops the pain that goes down my leg too. Amazon has such good return policy can’t hurt to get one to try. It helps in the grocery store too when I need it.

 

[TCRAIG]

I have bursitis and sciatica and arthritis and sacroiliitis - so I get where you’re coming from…
Unfortunately- if you want to continue going to the parks - an ECV is your best bet…
I ended up buying my own - been using it for years - it’s saved me a ton of $$ over renting - you just need to buy new batteries every year or so…

 

[migirl]

I’ve had some chronic pain issues this year - not arthritis - but some small things that help me are standing stretches that I can do anywhere, mindfulness and breathing exercise and wearing comfortable clothes and supportive footwear.

 

[Disturbia]

You don’t have piriformis syndrome? My SI joint issues had been ignored by Dr.’s for decades until I went to the ER with a locked pelvis.

I have lower back, neck, SI joint issues, DDD and retrolesthesis so here is what has helped me (most issues better with more foot support and regular PT (my CRP fell from 12 to 4-5 and wouldn’t budge despite liver detoxes) and Bow flex max workouts):

My mom uses Activene (available on Amazon) for arthritis; 2nd springs brand ‘restore’ cream has the same ingredients; Penetrex smells less but doesn’t have menthol. If you need to reapply, I would get the Stoppain pain relief packets (similar ingredients). It’s the arnica and MSM that help.
Profoot Epsom salt foot gel helps post walking. Liquid I.V. Electrolytes help with hydrations and muscle cramps.

Eddie Bauer cool max socks stopped blisters (they have mid foot compression so help with arch pain and wick away moisture). We usually bring rubber flip flops; you might want some Oofos or Under armor cushioned flats but not sure they are ok for use around the pool. Some people love crocs (lightweight) and you can use them on rainy days (we’ve spent 30 mins trying to dry each pair of 5 sneakers after a sudden downpour)

Having really good shoes like Hokas carbon x2 or x3 have helped me deal with Osteoarthritis (they are highly responsive, lightweight, no blisters; can get good deals online). For others Acsics are more appropriate (try them out at a sporting goods store). I used to wear Saucony endorphin pros but they gave me blisters. Nike air had all my leg muscles in knots and I’d be limping.

Temple spa has a foot cream (Aaah cream) much like the one deluxe resorts used to provide. If nothing else, soaking in epsom salts works for some people to reduce pain.

A homeopathic Dr recommended Traumeel s (make sure it has ‘s’ at the end and ships from Germany). Voltarin has aspirin but there is a variety with Boswelian. I would try different things at home or a nearby park/zoo and see what works.

I always keep a Bob and Brad Q2 mini massage gun with me and use it after each park day. My teen is usually stealing it to use on her feet. I wish they would reinstall the coin foot vibrating machines (not sure if they got rid of the one at the Fort Wilderness resort, heard about it never used). You can buy foot rollers in the China Pavillion.

Old post with similar issues as you:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/hip-pain-and-really-sad-please-help.3262353/

 

[LoveToDisney]

I used a rollator for years until I finally had to use a scooter. I would try that to start if you are trying to keep expenses down. If by the end of your trip you feel you need a scooter for the day, Disney will hold your rollator while you use the scooter.

 

[CanucksRock]

I thought I had hip pain, but it was SI joint pain. I too can walk for miles but make me stand for extended periods over multiple days and I’m in pain. I got the Sacroiliac Hip Belt on Amazon and it’s been a life saver. I had no pain on my last couple trips to WDW. I wore it everyday. (Well no pain in my hip .. but did end up with tendonitis in my ankle on a trip to Disneyland But I kept walking!)

Prior to discovering the belt, I’d sit on my mom’s scooter in lines. She can’t walk the long distances, but can stand in lines just fine.

 

[Disturbia]

I thought I had hip pain, but it was SI joint pain. I too can walk for miles but make me stand for extended periods over multiple days and I’m in pain. I got the Sacroiliac Hip Belt on Amazon and it’s been a life saver. I had no pain on my last couple trips to WDW. I wore it everyday. (Well no pain in my hip .. but did end up with tendonitis in my ankle on a trip to Disneyland But I kept walking!)

Prior to discovering the belt, I’d sit on my mom’s scooter in lines. She can’t walk the long distances, but can stand in lines just fine.

Try the HoKa carbon x shoes combined with Eddie Bauer cool max socks. I used to be in knots by mid day and in a lot of pain. Now I can walk 8 miles and still have stamina to do more and don’t need as much Advil.

I also take a multi vitamin that has a lot of B12 that helps prevent neuropathy; I discovered I have low ferritin (GPs don’t normally check it, it is the first sign of anemia) which can also cause muscle cramps and exhaustion so I now take iron (Ortho molecular alpha base multi and Thorne feosorrb). Liquid I.V. has immensely helped with muscle cramps and headaches/migraines (recommended by our 26k mile marathon running neighbor). Indoors I use Oofos or Spenco sandals (don’t walk barefoot on hardwood). Activene helps with joint inflammation on the SI joint and with tight calves as well. Turmeric (supplement like Phyto core) helps with inflammation but can increase bp.

I use the SI joint belt that has some inflating cushions when I wrap it (given by my orig Chiro/PT) during treadmill exercises. I was told I couldn’t run again due to the slipped disc and SI joint issues but I slowly started with PT for a year then Bowflex max. Trainer for over a year then jogging (10 mins max interval). I make sure to stretch before AND after esp the calf muscles.

 

[nalababybear]

A rollator works wonders. Our son has same issues with standing or slow moving lines witb stop go situatuons and a rollator works very well.

Evc works quite well too just the queues can be unforgiving as well as movement in tight busy sections too if you don't have others in the party to 'wing walk' with you

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

If your number #1 priority is cosmic rewind, a rollator or cane chair might work OK because (due to the pre-shows) there is usually a bit of slow walking followed by not moving for a few minutes and then back to slow waking. If you’re in the standby/VQ line you will be on a gradual incline for a bit, so maybe others can weigh in on whether or not that works with rollator/cane chair (I did not feel very safe on the incline in a wheelchair a few years back before we realized the wheelchair wasn’t helping me more than it was hurting me)— I often just sit on the floor as they load everybody into the first pre-show room, which is not ideal but might help in a pinch.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I have a myriad of hip issues (labral tears, FAI, externally rotated hip, bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, SI joint OA, sciatica, femoral nerve damage, iliotibial band syndrome), so I feel you on standing for long periods. I'm not a doctor, none of this is medical advice, just some things that have helped me.

- Proper footwear is so, so important. If you can get evaluated at a good shoe store, both for size and for how you walk, it can do wonders. Different shoes have more/less support in various areas which can make a world of difference if you tend to limp or put more pressure on certain parts of your foot when you walk. I also found during a fitting at 27 yrs old that my feet are slightly wider than standard women's sizes- getting shoes that were the right width helped immensely. I wear Brooks Adrenaline GTS, but there are a lot of good ones out there.

- Biofreeze helps me a lot. It comes in a variety of forms (spray, gel, roll-on, patch, cream). I've only used the spray, but it helps a lot with joint and muscle pain (and bonus for hot days in the parks-it does leave a cold feeling for a while). I've tried a lot of the other similar products (Icy Hot, Voltaren, Linament, etc) and never had any luck, but everyone's different.

- Several years ago, I invested in a really good TENS unit. For me, it helps more with the bursitis, tendonitis, muscle, and nerve issues and less for the joint and arthritis stuff. I've never used it in the parks, but having it in the hotel at night has been helpful. You can purchase these OTC, but I'd recommend having a doctor or physical therapist teach you placement as if they aren't placed correctly, they can cause discomfort.

- This would be something you'd need to discuss with your doctor to see if it could be beneficial to you, but I get steroid injections periodically. They've been most beneficial for me for the troch bursitis, but I've also had them injected into the psoas sheath and hip joint. It usually helps with the bursitis for a few months.

- I use Kinesio tape on especially bad days. It can help with both pain relief and stability if you struggle with that. There are a lot of tutorials online if you don't have a PT or doctor to show you how to use it.

- The SI belts have not been beneficial to me, but I know they are for many people.

- A knee brace has been helpful for me when I have to do a lot of walking or standing. I do have some knee problems (actually as a result of overcompensating for my hip issues), but when my knee gets tired from overcompensating, it causes the muscles and tendons in the upper leg and hip to have to work harder to maintain stability. The knee brace provides additional support and helps to keep it from giving out.

- I know it's hard to maintain a lot of space in lines for pacing when you're alone, but don't be afraid to ask other guests to give you a little space either. I've found most guests are happy to leave a few extra feet if asked. Also, you could try doing some stretches if you're able/have the balance & range of motion. There are quite a few hip stretches that can be done while standing with limited space. Stretches for your back and knees can also be helpful in loosening things up and reducing pain from overcompensation of other joints.

I hope some of this helps, but if you find that you still can't manage the lines, definitely consider a mobility device. Remember that you don't have to use it all the time if you don't want/need to. You can park it with the strollers and walk when you need to. With a rollator, it can be pushed through the lines like a walker when the lines are moving, but provide a place to sit when they're not. I've seen people in slow moving lines have the rollator faced the other way around (so when you're sitting you're faced forward) and they just moved the rollator forward a little with their feet while sitting when the line moved a little. Maybe doing something like that would work for you rather than sitting and then having to stand to move every few seconds?

Good luck!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Making an appointment with an ortho to find out why you have pain would be the first step. At least you will know why you have pain so you do not injure yourself further.

Renting an ECV as others mentioned will be a life changer. Lines are unavoidable, so I hope you at least try one day and see if it is worth it to you!

Be well!

 

[abbyandangel]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The ortho told me it’s bursitis and arthritis but I’ve also had sciatica for years. I did get a shot in the hip before 2 trips but I didn’t last time because I read that a person should only have 3 in a lifetime because it weakens the tendon. I am only 60 so I guess I still have a few years left to deal with this. I did wonder if it’s safe to sit on the rollator and scoot along with my feet.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The ortho told me it’s bursitis and arthritis but I’ve also had sciatica for years. I did get a shot in the hip before 2 trips but I didn’t last time because I read that a person should only have 3 in a lifetime because it weakens the tendon. I am only 60 so I guess I still have a few years left to deal with this. I did wonder if it’s safe to sit on the rollator and scoot along with my feet.

There might be different recommendations depending on location, medical condition, etc, but I've always been told no more than 3-4 per year.

 

[nalababybear]

There might be different recommendations depending on location, medical condition, etc, but I've always been told no more than 3-4 per year.

Depending on location, every 3-4 months if done properly is within routine.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Unless you get a rollator that has a dual design to allow sitting while being pushed, one should not scoot while seated on a rollator.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Unless you get a rollator that has a dual design to allow sitting while being pushed, one should not scoot while seated on a rollator.

Yes! I witnessed someone pushing a person on a rollator and it tipped over backwards and the person hit their head hard. Also the person pushing them fell forward and landed squarely on them. I have scooted a bit on mine but never very often and only a few feet at most.

 

[SirDuff]

Have you checked out Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS) program? It could offer accommodations that might help with the long lines without needing to rent an EVC.

No. Given that the issues are mobility related (and only mobility related), a DAS is very unlikely to be offered for this. Especially given the recent changes.

 

[maxiesmom]

Canes used as seats are not allowed, so that option is out. As you have noticed the pavement isn't flat, and you don't want to fall and hurt yourself even more.

You may hate the idea, but rent a scooter. As someone who uses one at the parks, it is a trip saver. Instead of limping around and being in pain at the end of the day, I can enjoy my trip. Yes, they can be a bit of a hassle (especially in the shops and restaurants) but you do have the option of parking it outside and walking a bit if you can.

I like using one in most of the queues, as focusing on driving makes the line seem to go faster. And so far I've not had a problem with someone getting to close to me in line and worrying about running into them.