Uh-oh...Broken Toe!

quest4dl

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 30, 2008
Messages
784
So it looks very likely that ds has broken his baby toe. Currently icing and buddy wrapping it and hoping for the best. He leaves on Friday with his high school marching band. Since it just happened. not sure how bad it is. At the very least, he needs to stay off his feet a bit.

My question is whether he should request a DAS card? He can hobble around but is obviously much slower and it is uncomfortable to stand for long periods of time. Hoping he can muscle through the parade or that it is not too bad and pain will be considerably less. The parade is not until next Tuesday.

If he did get a DAS card, would he be able to ride with his friends? I'm not even sure he will be with the same group of people every day! He is resisting my suggestion for a wheel chair (if he saves steps, then standing would take less of a toll).
 
Might be better to post on the disability thread but he won't qualify for a das. If it is a mobility issue they will ask him to rent a wheel chair to get around. An ecv you need to be 18 to rent at the parks. Sorry and I hope he feels better soon and has a great trip
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know there was a separate disability board. Maybe a mod can move this for me!
 
I broke 3 toes and some foot bones about 2 weeks before going.....a CM actually asked me if I wanted a disability card and I said no...........didn't feel it warranted it.
They were taped, I found the most comfortable shoes I could (not squishy bottoms, but firmer ones, so the toes wouldn't wiggle as much) and made the best of it.
 

A broken small toe is not that bad. I did 2 days of Universal when I broke it 2 days before leaving. Just make sure the shoes are not too tight and to ice it every evening. I think a DAS is overkill. It's really not that bad. Didn't slow me down a bit.
 
I've broken a toe twice, once in Disney World (on a piece of furniture at BLT). Other than shoes being a bit uncomfortable and taking a few extra breaks, it did not slow me down at all. I would say in a day or two, he will be fine. Doctors don't even do anything for them unless its protruding through the skin or something like that, but a simple break/fracture they usually just tape and send you on your merry way.
 
I've done Disney three times with a broken toe (i'm uber clumsy), so much so its become a joke in my family that i'm not to move 2 weeks before a trip in case it happens again.
The first time we got me a wheelchair for the first week as it was a pretty bad break and hurt a lot but by our second week I was walking around ok. The other 2 times I've taped it up and put on my flip flops and just dealt with it. Tell your son to watch out for strollers and other peoples feet, it hurts to get a broken toe stood on!!
 
Went to Disney two years ago with a broken toe on each foot. My advice is to wear loose shoes - my DH insisted that I wear tennis shoes to the parks the first day, and I almost died from the pain. When I switched to my flip-flops, it was much, much better - my toes had some breathing room. I tried to minimize my walking around the parks, and rested my feet when back at the villa.

It did not keep me from doing anything that I wanted to do on my vacation and I am much older than your DS. He will be fine.
 
FWIW, if the break is a simple one, no problem. However, if the break runs through a joint, that is altogether different! I am just now 2 weeks out of a cam boot from a break through a joint. The break occurred on
January 9th and it took two different sets of x-rays to pin point the break. The specialist said breaks like these usually require surgery. They did ask if I was willing to try a bone stimulator to see if the bone would grow before rushing into surgery. I did and am still doing it 2x daily for 20 minutes a session. I was also told to stay off my feet for long periods and no working (which required my being on my feet for 7 hours daily). Since it was my right foot, no driving either. I am still not allowed to work until my next exam and set of xrays.

Not saying this is op's son's problem but I would suggest if the foot blows up like a sausage and turns wonderful shades of purple and green. if you haven't done so, an x-ray or two might be a good idea.

Hope your DS feels better!
 
Thanks for all the reassurances! If there is a break it seems to be at the tip. I'm a bit confused about binding the feet tightly for support and wearing lose shoes. Wouldn't a sneaker provide more support than a flip flop? His sneakers are not snug (or so he says). I was thinking possibly a crutch to help take the weight off - but what to do with it when going on the rides? I had briefly considered a knee scooter (free from our village with a deposit) but then I'd have to worry about someone taking it.

I'm more worried about long-term damage from not resting the foot.
 
Thanks for all the reassurances! If there is a break it seems to be at the tip. I'm a bit confused about binding the feet tightly for support and wearing lose shoes. Wouldn't a sneaker provide more support than a flip flop? His sneakers are not snug (or so he says). I was thinking possibly a crutch to help take the weight off - but what to do with it when going on the rides? I had briefly considered a knee scooter (free from our village with a deposit) but then I'd have to worry about someone taking it.

I'm more worried about long-term damage from not resting the foot.

I have broken the tip of my little toe, yes the sneaker would provide better support BUT he would most likely need a larger size pair. Otherwise, as the previous poster said, it will really hurt. His foot is bound to swell from walking the distance in WDW. I walked around with a big innersole in the left shoe and none in the right shoe ;)

Flip flops are OK, but there is no protection from his foot getting bumped or run over.
 
We've been eyeing dh's Land's End Trekkers - they are a half size bigger than ds' shoes and pretty roomy in the front. But dh doesn't like to share:rolleyes1
 
He won't need a crutch. Really, it's not that big of a deal. I never bothered taping mine. Just shoes that are not tight in the toes.

You're over thinking it. ;)
 
He won't need a crutch. Really, it's not that big of a deal. I never bothered taping mine. Just shoes that are not tight in the toes.

You're over thinking it. ;)

Have too agree with this Decades ago I broke the same toe and the next day started a security job standing on my feet and walking for ten hours a shift He'll be okay
 
A broken toe will not qualify you for a DAS card. You will be told to get a wheel chair or a thing called a rollerator. DAS cards do not handle stamina problems or pain from walking or standing as Disney feels that can be completely handled by a wheel chair.

Also having a DAS card will at least double the amount of walking you will do or at least one person will have to do. You must go to the CM at the attraction line and ask for a return time. Main attractions will have about an hour wait. I guess if you just stand nearby or if you are lucky to find a place to sit nearby, then you will not have to walk as much. But if you head to a bathroom or walk around a shop or do much of anything, you will have to do more walking.

Your best bet is ice it now and then do hot and the ice water plunges. Buddy tape the toe and find shoes that do not rub on it. Toes normally heal quickly, that is as long as it is just a toe and not a bone in his foot.

Hopefully you will stll have a wonderful trip!
 
My main concern is that all the walking may make it worse - hopefully it won't prevent him from marching with his band on Tuesday. Today he is hobbling - no way he could 'march' - just really hoping for some improvement by Tuesday.
 
So it looks very likely that ds has broken his baby toe. Currently icing and buddy wrapping it and hoping for the best. He leaves on Friday with his high school marching band. Since it just happened. not sure how bad it is. At the very least, he needs to stay off his feet a bit.

My question is whether he should request a DAS card? He can hobble around but is obviously much slower and it is uncomfortable to stand for long periods of time. Hoping he can muscle through the parade or that it is not too bad and pain will be considerably less. The parade is not until next Tuesday.

If he did get a DAS card, would he be able to ride with his friends? I'm not even sure he will be with the same group of people every day! He is resisting my suggestion for a wheel chair (if he saves steps, then standing would take less of a toll).

Definately have him get the DAS just in case he wants to use it. He can bring the people he is with (provided it is not the whole marching band) on the ride with him (we have freinds with special needs children and the family can go along). He is there with a marching band. There is going to be a fair amount of practice, not to mention the actual preformance which will aggrivate the situation . The poster who said a broken toe does not qualify for a DAS is incorrect. They cannot ask you, without violating federal law, what your disability is. So your son can request a DAS and they cannot deny it. If he wants he can get one, period.
 
Definately have him get the DAS just in case he wants to use it. He can bring the people he is with (provided it is not the whole marching band) on the ride with him (we have freinds with special needs children and the family can go along). He is there with a marching band. There is going to be a fair amount of practice, not to mention the actual preformance which will aggrivate the situation . The poster who said a broken toe does not qualify for a DAS is incorrect. They cannot ask you, without violating federal law, what your disability is. So your son can request a DAS and they cannot deny it. If he wants he can get one, period.
DAS doesn't work that way - they don't just give it to anyone who requests it. It has been widely reported that, unlike the old GAC system, people with mobility issues are being told to use a wheelchair or a scooter and are not being given a card. And, while they can't ask what your disability is, they will ask what kind of accommodation you need, and if the OP's son says he has problems walking or standing, it's doubtful he'll get a card.
 
DAS doesn't work that way - they don't just give it to anyone who requests it. It has been widely reported that, unlike the old GAC system, people with mobility issues are being told to use a wheelchair or a scooter and are not being given a card. And, while they can't ask what your disability is, they will ask what kind of accommodation you need, and if the OP's son says he has problems walking or standing, it's doubtful he'll get a card.

This is correct! You will not be asked to provide a diagnosis but if your need is not walking, resting your foot by sitting, or staying off your leg then you will not get a DAS. GR will not issue you one for that.

Plus as I stated a DAS means more walking, not less; so it would only make a broken toe worse.
 
DAS doesn't work that way - they don't just give it to anyone who requests it. It has been widely reported that, unlike the old GAC system, people with mobility issues are being told to use a wheelchair or a scooter and are not being given a card. And, while they can't ask what your disability is, they will ask what kind of accommodation you need, and if the OP's son says he has problems walking or standing, it's doubtful he'll get a card.

Absolutely correct. They will ask his needs, he will tell them and based on what you have said he will not qualify. And they do cause more walking.

Also have broken toes and I agree with all the suggestions. Ice at night or even in day some when he's sitting (ask for a paper cup of ice at any CS or TS restaurant - it's free). Might be smart to pack some ziploc bags that he can take to park and make his own ice pack. Prop up when he can. Advil or other pain/anti-inflammatory. Keep it taped so it doesn't move much. Lose shoes, my biggest issue was bumping the toe.
 














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