Torn Ligaments in Ankle - How to tour

[03Poohmom]

Hi Everyone! I tore several ligaments in my ankle 3 months ago, and although I thought it would be all better by now - it is not. We leave for WDW & Universal on 4/18, and I'm very worried that I won't be able to handle all the walking (even with my ankle brace). My DH is going for a conference, and my DD & I have lots of fun plans (we are not staying onsite either, so mid-day hotel breaks are out). She wants me to get a scooter (not sure if that is the correct name) - I can walk mostly though, just long distance causes some swelling and pain.

Helpful suggestions welcome

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree with your daughter. Rent an ECV. You don't want to be in pain your whole trip when it can be easily avoided.

 

[03Poohmom]

What about a "boot"? I still have my boot. I just feel so silly renting an ECV, when I'm sure there are others who need them more than I do.

 

[Jajone]

Google knee scooter. I work orthopedics and we order these all then time.

 

[maxiesmom]

What about a "boot"? I still have my boot. I just feel so silly renting an ECV, when I'm sure there are others who need them more than I do.

You need to think about yourself. Will you be able to comfortably walk around the parks all day in your brace or in a boot? If the answer is no, rent a scooter. Don't let maybe feeling silly wreck your vacation. Would you rather feel silly or be in pain?

 

[DVCcurious]

My advice? Recreate a Disney Day from home.

Walk a quarter mile "from the entrance to the hub" then stand around for 30 minutes "in line" then sit for 5-10 minutes "on a ride" then walk another 200 yards to another "ride" and stand "in line" again, etc.

I would recreate exactly what it will be like for as many hours as you're planning on being in the parks. This will let you know exactly what you can handle. Just take a weekend and do it. It's really the only way to know how you'll handle it. And it is better to be sore and laid up at home because you overdid your experiment than be laid up at WDW.

 

[Itinkso]

Have you tried taping your ankle for more support? If you are going to try simulating a day in a park, wrap your ankle first.

You can always rent a knee scooter from a medical supply company and have it waiting for you at your resort. It's portable and you won't feel as if you are using something that someone may need more than you.

 

[maxiesmom]

I can't imagine using a knee scooter at WDW. Even with a wheelchair you find out quickly how not flat the parks are. I can't imagine trying to go up and down hills on a knee scooter. Not to mention how sore your back would be at the end of the day.

 

[IheartRapunzel]

I know exactly how you feel. I went in the beginning of March and right before my trip I was told I had nerve damage in my foot. We all know disney is a ton of walking so like you, I was super worried about how I was going to get around and enjoy my trip as pain free as possible. Would you believe it if I told you that I went on my trip and had no problems at all? It was like disney healed me lol when I was at home there would be days I was crying in pain. Went to 3 different drs. I was determined to get better before my trip but that never happened. I have no idea why it didn't give me any issues but I am so thankful for it. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't stress about it much. If course you should always have a plan B and probably should take little breaks to sit down and relax throughout the day as well. I hope you have a similar experience. Maybe disney magic works on medical conditions as well lol. Good luck!! Enjoy your trip and I hope you feel better soon

 

[jmkjr72]

First things first talk to YOUR DR see what YOUR DR says not any one on here.
then once you talk to YOUR DR then think about the options

You have to think about your health and not that others may need it too
if you push thints too hard and don't use a chair or scooter you run the risk m of permanent damage

a lady at one of my stores had a knee scooter for work yet when she went on her vacation her Dr told her to use a scooter or wheel chair not the knee scooter

And let me tell you even in just a c store her knee scooter was a pain

 

[fla4fun]

When my mom first started using an ECV she could still walk some distances, so she would ride through the park, but park it near the entrance to shops, restaurants and attractions and walk through them. There's nothing written in stone that says if you rent an ECV you aren't allowed to do any walking at all. Since they do rent them at the parks, you have the option of renting for parks that are more spread out or have tough terrain (I'm looking at you Epcot and AK) and walking parks that are more level. It will be cheaper if you rent from an off site company, but then you have the issue of getting on and off transportation with them. It sounds like you are a better candidate for the in park rental.

 

[powellrj]

Rent a ecv from an off-site vendor. It will be much cheaper and you will always have it available.

 

[disnut8]

I just feel so silly renting an ECV, when I'm sure there are others who need them more than I do.

Who needs them more than you do? It's not like ECVs are in short supply in the area. There are several places offsite so you might want to check out the disabilities board to get recommendations. The offsite places will deliver the device to your hotel (yes, even offsite hotels) and then pick it up when you leave. If you want to leave the ECV for a time in the parks, you can just put it off to the side and walk for a bit.

After touring Disney in a wheelchair for a short term problem and pushing my husband around in a wheelchair for his short term problem and both of us being able to walk as well, I can tell you quite honestly that no one looks at you like your head is green.

You can have fun with the ECV by making a sign for the back. Something like "torn ligaments and they won't even pay for this ECV after taking so long to heal!" If you do that, I'll bet the only comments you will get are from others who have had the same problem.

 

[lustergirl]

Hi Everyone! I tore several ligaments in my ankle 3 months ago, and although I thought it would be all better by now - it is not. We leave for WDW & Universal on 4/18, and I'm very worried that I won't be able to handle all the walking (even with my ankle brace). My DH is going for a conference, and my DD & I have lots of fun plans (we are not staying onsite either, so mid-day hotel breaks are out). She wants me to get a scooter (not sure if that is the correct name) - I can walk mostly though, just long distance causes some swelling and pain.

Helpful suggestions welcome

I feel your pain. My knees are toast and I worry about all that walking. I have had 2 surgeries on the left knee. Now the meniscus is torn again in my right knee. I am going to try and get around without some type of aid but if I have to rent a scooter then so be it.

 

[kaetra]

Scooters aren't in short supply. If your doctor clears you to go you should get a scooter.

Check out the disABILITIES board, there's lots of helpful info there.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP who needs the scooter more than you? you and your DD have fun plans and you want to be part of them. you do not want to have a setback, so I would get the scooter and enjoy your trip. and yes I have to use a scooter a lot of the time in Disney because of a weak knee. I do not use one most times at home or my local parks but I need that extra help ay Disney

 

[Planogirl]

You might want to consider renting a scooter from an offsite source. There is a ton of walking involved just going from park to park.

 

[Lurch]

I went soon after surgery on my ruptured Achilles tendon. Lots of ibuprofen and rest during the day. We would hit the parks for a few hours, come home and ice my ankle. Brought a few of the old school ice bags along with me. It was kind of nice being close to an ice machine. It wasn't ideal, but it worked and I had a good time.

 

[happymommy]

Would your daughter be willing to help push you in a wheelchair? I totally don't know how to use a scooter, so may feel a bit intimidated! That's just me though!
My daughter and I just returned from WDW, and she has a newly discovered disorder (EDS) that affects her joints. We ended up renting a wheelchair at the parks 4 of our days. I found it very easy to push her (for reference, she's 16 and weighs 130 pounds; I weigh only sightly more than she does).
Next trip (August!) we're going for 10 nights, so I'm going to get a wheelchair for the whole time from an offsite rental company.
I definitely think you need that or an electric scooter, though! Getting the wheelchair made SUCH a big difference for us! It's just so much of a relief to help with pain and fatigue!

 

[03Poohmom]

Thanks for all the great replies! I will be doing more walking to gear up in the next few weeks. The goal with my Physical Therapy is to strengthen the ankle muscles. I am hoping to take it slow and stop to rest a lot (we've been to all the parks before, so we know what we want to see & do - perhaps by slowing down in the parks, I will notice lots of little things that I missed before). I am also now (after all of your suggestions) prepared to rent something if need be, so I can enjoy our Mother/Daughter time. As a side note - I got dinner reservations at BOG on such short notice