Torn Ligaments in Ankle - How to tour

[MrsDuck]

Rent the ECV.

 

[richmo]

If you were going for a day or two, I might be inclined to tough it out...but, if you're there awhile, even for those without ankle problems, the long distances each day take some kind of toll. I'd be inclined to rent the scooter from an outside source so you can cart it around to both WDW and Universal. You can always not use it if you're feeling good...maybe when going back at night for fireworks, etc. Also, if you've never used one, it might be a good idea to practice with those in a grocery store, Costco, etc. to get a feel on how they maneuver. Nothing like learning in a crowded Magic Kingdom.

 

[StormyCA]

I 'feel your pain'. I shattered my ankle (it's pinned and plated now) and have lingering mobility issues with it.

The PT working with me was also a Disney-phile so we worked together for the final months of PT to strengthen my ankle as much as possible. I was in PT a total of 7 months finishing up just 2 weeks before a trip to Disneyland!

I didn't use an ECV but did wear a (and still do) a good ankle brace. One of the things I find that really helps me is avoiding stairs. Partly due to flexibility and stability issues but it also seems to help me 'last longer'. You don't need a DAS, just advise the CM at the ride that you 'don't do stairs' and they'll assist you. That and taking it slow (no 'speed walking') and frequent rests along with flexing exercises helped. I'd also advise taking meds for pain/inflammation in the morning and through the day. When you get back to your room at night, elevate and ice your ankle and take meds before bedtime. Don't wait to feel pain. It's easier to prevent it than to make it go away.

And don't rule out an ECV. I told myself I'd rather use an ECV than spend my trip in the room in pain or have to cut short park days.

 

[TallyTutter]

I 'feel your pain'. I shattered my ankle (it's pinned and plated now) and have lingering mobility issues with it.

The PT working with me was also a Disney-phile so we worked together for the final months of PT to strengthen my ankle as much as possible. I was in PT a total of 7 months finishing up just 2 weeks before a trip to Disneyland!

I didn't use an ECV but did wear a (and still do) a good ankle brace. One of the things I find that really helps me is avoiding stairs. Partly due to flexibility and stability issues but it also seems to help me 'last longer'. You don't need a DAS, just advise the CM at the ride that you 'don't do stairs' and they'll assist you. That and taking it slow (no 'speed walking') and frequent rests along with flexing exercises helped. I'd also advise taking meds for pain/inflammation in the morning and through the day. When you get back to your room at night, elevate and ice your ankle and take meds before bedtime. Don't wait to feel pain. It's easier to prevent it than to make it go away.

And don't rule out an ECV. I told myself I'd rather use an ECV than spend my trip in the room in pain or have to cut short park days.

We are staying off site so I will be renting an ECV at the parks, my question is when we go to park & we are forced to go ALL THE WAY to the end of the parking lot, will my husband be allowed to drop me off at the top of the row or will we get chastised?

 

[StormyCA]

We are staying off site so I will be renting an ECV at the parks, my question is when we go to park & we are forced to go ALL THE WAY to the end of the parking lot, will my husband be allowed to drop me off at the top of the row or will we get chastised?

No answer for you there. I'd explain to the first parking CM you see. I'm a DLR regular.

 

[JennyDrake]

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.

From the Been There, Done That file, PLEASE listen to all the people telling you to rent an ECV from an off site vendor. No matter what you "think" you can do, the walking and STANDING at WDW are BRUTAL on a recent injury.

I went in 2013 after 3 months of ZERO weight bearing followed by a month in a walking boot. I was in decent shape and not overweight. I was to walk as much as tolerated as I was weaning out of the boot. I RESISTED ALL the people who told me to rent an ECV or wheelchair. I dismissed their concerns. Finally the friend going with me said she wasn't going if I didn't get a wheelchair. *SIGH* FINE. I did.

Boy oh boy were all those people right!!!

You are SO much better off to have the ECV or wheelchair and not need it, than get there and really get hurt/sore/inflamed. I rented from Walker Mobility and would gladly rent from them again.

I carried ziploc bags and got ice from kiosks for icing as dictated every 2 hours.

Please please for yourself and your family--rent the ECV.

 

[Tbone17701]

Well, I fell 1/17/15 and broke my ankle in two places and just for good measure...dislocated it too (lots of torn ligaments there)! Got myself a shiny new plate and screw as a reward. I will have been out of my hard cast exactly one month tomorrow and have been in PT 3 times a week since. I still hobble (mainly due to stiffness and a very angry plantar fascia) and am not cleared to drive, but we leave for WDW Thursday. Both Dr and therapist have been encouraging me to go since my first visit to them (yes, both are familiar with WDW). My therapist is actually insisting that I NOT rent a scooter, but push through with regular breaks and only rent a wheelchair as needed. I wear a Tommy Copper compression sleeve daily and do about 30 minutes of stretching and range of motion exercises a day with icing that I intend to continue while there. She said swimming daily will be good for it too. Her opinion is that the walking will actually help promote the healing and strengthening process and is afraid that if I rent a scooter, I will rely on it more often than not and actually set myself back a step. I am allowed to take a crutch to help initially after long periods of sitting (i.e. riding 4 hours to the airport, taking a 2 hour flight and riding another 30-45 min to the resort) though.

Now, having said all of that, I will conclude by saying each individual and injury are different and I second the advice to consult your Dr and therapist. I'll also add that I will without a doubt rent a scooter if I get there and find "pushing through" equates to ruining my trip!

Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[kaetra]

The parking lots have a tram that picks you up.

 

[Tbone17701]

I 'feel your pain'. I shattered my ankle (it's pinned and plated now) and have lingering mobility issues with it.

Off topic, but given my own recent experience, the words "shattered" and "ankle" in the same sentence literally sends chills down my spine!

 

[StormyCA]

Off topic, but given my own recent experience, the words "shattered" and "ankle" in the same sentence literally sends chills down my spine!

It wasn't fun. I was medivac'd and transported out of a frozen National Park across 3 states to the nearest hospital for surgery.

 

[Amberleefuta]

I torn my achiles heel about 5 years ago. I still have problems at times. I work 12 hour shifts and I am on my feet the entire time. We went to disney back in may and my heel would swell up by the end of the day. I got the best relief from just floating in the pool at night. Good luck and have fun.

 

[TowMater92]

I tore the ligaments in my ankle about 8 weeks before our trip and it was the second time I had torn them. I was off crutches in 6 weeks and walking without a limp but it did get tender from time to time and swollen. I iced it every night and during any breaks back at our room when it was tender/swollen. I would fill the bathtub with cold water and dump in a buck of ice and it helped a lot. At night I would also make a incline to have my ankle elevated while I slept with pillows and I would take ibuprofen daily. Everyone heals different and I was ready to get a scooter if I needed too and if your ankle is still giving you problems that's what I would do if I was you.

 

[ZoZo]

I had foot problems for many years (heel spurs and Achilles problems with both feet). I'd definitely encourage you to rent a scooter at least part of the time. It's easy to underestimate how hard it will be for you to walk and stand all day long. The first day might not seem too bad -- but several days in a row will really do a number on you. It all accumulates!

So I'd advise you to get a scooter, not just for your sake, but for your daughter's, too. If you end up limping and in pain all day long (which I used to be on my trips), it won't be any fun for either of you. I know you probably feel weird about renting a scooter, since you're used to being able-bodied - but you're injured! Take care of yourself.