Tips for a broken arm

[mimomlile]

Hi there! My DS, 8, broke his elbow the night before last. We don't see the Orthopedic surgeon until tomorrow, but the ER doc seemed to think that he won't need pins or further surgery. I think we are just looking at a cast for the next few weeks. I am waiting until we talk to the doc to revisit our fastpass choices.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips on things we can do with a broken arm? He was looking forward to Jedi Training Academy. Still doable? What about 7DMT? I think that one should be smooth enough. Obviously, RNR is probably out.

We are usually thrill ride junkies, but had planned to just do FP for a few of those this time since we are bringing Grandma along this time as well. -She is usually up for anything but just found out that she has been walking on a broken knee since July. Even if he hadn't broken his arm, we planned on touring differently than we usually do.

We are leaving in about two weeks, so should be one of the least busy times of the year (great for thrill ride lines, darn!)

Thanks for the suggestions (in advance).

 

[Gracie09]

ask about waterproof casting.

the rest may just depend on how fast he heals. DD was out of her cast in 4 weeks because she healed so fast.

 

[spacecanada]

There was a kid with a broken arm in a sling doing Jedi training when we were there in November. They even made a quip about the kid with one arm beating Darth. It depends on how comfortable he is moving around by then, but like most kids, I don't think it will slow him down much.

Again, depending on how he feels, I may avoid overly bumpy rides or ones with over the shoulder restraints that may bother his casted arm: Everest, Aerosmith. Toy Story Midway Mania could be problematic, as the blaster required two hands to use properly.

 

[lizard1]

I would just ask the doctor what he isn't allowed to do and just go with that. If the doctor allows it, I wouldn't worry about him actually doing it. Kids adapt a LOT easier than adults do as I found out when my daughter broke her elbow a couple of years ago....one night I asked how she was doing on her school work (because it was her dominant arm) and she said fine and that she was just writing with her left hand instead! The only thing for her was that her cast was not waterproof (she did have to get pins, so I don't know if that was why or not), so that may cause issues with using the pool and some of the water rides (if they are open).

 

[Glennie5]

Our youngest had a cast on the last time we went to Disney. We made sure to get a water proof cast (in light pink), took a black sharpie with us and had the Characters sign her cast for her. It kind of made having to wear a cast a little more fun. We also made sure we brought a sling with us as lugging around a cast can get heavy after a while.

 

[Funfire240]

My DD broke her arm last fall. The first 3 weeks she was in a cast up over her elbow so her arm was kept in the bent position and it did limit what she was able to do but she found ways (including knocking her 4 y/o brother over the head to keep him in line ).
After that she was in a short cast for another 3 weeks where she had more mobility of her arm and she had no problems with most tasks. It didn't slow her down much at all except not being able to finish soccer or having to give up cheer/gymnastics class for awhile.

Check with your ortho and see how it goes. Kids find ways to do what they want within their restrictions too so he may be fine. I also recommend a water proof if offered. We didn't do it because it was after summer and we didn't have any plans but if we would've had vacation plans or anything I would've went with it.
Good luck and sending wishes for fast healing! (And have fun on your trip!)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In addition, you might want to talk to the person who will be removing the cast. Have a line drawn on the cast where it will be cut for removal. Then bring along some "Sharpies" and have the characters autograph the cast, asking them to make sure their signature does not directly cross the line.

Once the cast is removed and fully dried out, you will then have a very unusual souvenir of the trip.

 

[sleepingbean]

My daughter has shoulder instability, which is not the same, but some of the precautions may be helpful to you. We got a small wheel chair rental from home to take with, and this provided her safe space so her shoulders would not get bumped in crowds in park. If you are concerned that the arm needs a place to rest and or space, this may be a good idea. A sling may help, depending on the type of cast.
Even with her condition of shoulder instability, she did all the rides she wanted, but she doesn't like roller coasters. For you guys, I would not think it safe to do anything that you have to hold your weight with both hands, so the most extreme rides may be off for him. My daughter was dislocated by the shoulder harness at Stitches Great Escape, which we completely missed when we planned. It was the only ride she got hurt on, and it's not even a ride! So, my point is that there are still many many fun things he should be able to do. He may just want to sit out of the Rockin' Roller Coaster type attractions.

 

[Mommee]

I'm sure by now you've seen the orthopedist. But, when ds broke his elbows (yes, he's broken both of them!) one time he was only limited the first few days by pain, and the other he was not allowed to do much of anything the first 2 or 3 weeks because a bump could move the broken piece out of place and then we would be looking at having pins put in.

 

[mimomlile]

Still no cast, as in addition to the elbow tip being broken, turns out his humorous is cracked all the way through at the base (thickest part near the elbow) . Doc didn't even want to move it enough to cast it. But next appt is the day we leave and he said it will be in a cast for sure. He hasn't been in any pain just tired of the splint because it is annoyingly too big (goes up to his shoulder and rubs on the back of his armpit). At least he can still scratch until the cast comes on though!

We have come to terms with no RNR or BTMR...

Thank you all for the suggestions!

 

[sleepingbean]

Poor baby! That's rough. I am sure you'll have a great trip, even if it's slightly modified. Did you decide if you needed a chair to provide safe space?