UPDATED! Need ideas! Upcoming surgery & mobility issues

[mamabunny]

Scroll to the bottom of this post to read the update to the update...!

Hello friends!

I am going to have to have hand surgery in less than 2 weeks. Afterward, I won't be able to use my rollator - won't be able to put *any* pressure on the palm for at least 3 weeks, possibly up to 6 weeks. Fun fact: I am potentially facing 2 more operations this summer to get everything fixed, so I need to find a long-term solution, fast!

Typically, around the house, I can use my current rollator with few issues, however the seat is just a bit too high for me to use to "peddle" around the house. It works OK in our galley-style kitchen, but would be exhausting just to get from the bedroom to the bathroom. Because you have to steer with your butt with a traditional rollator it requires a lot more space than you might imagine. Weirdly, this is something I can do fairly well (Hey! no comments from the peanut gallery! LOL) but I don't want to have to do it for 6 weeks; driving backwards while steering with my hind-end all over the house is more stress than I need during recovery from surgery!

I looked at "upright" walkers that have arm support, but they really require the use of both hands, and my surgeon has already vetoed that idea.

Figgy is great (my Fold & Go) but he is just a bit too big for some spaces in our home. We are working on getting the entire house to be accessible, but in the near term, I don't think he is an option. Plus, the surgery is on my right hand (dominant side) and I think I would trash the house trying to maneuver with my left hand!

Angus (my Travelscoot) would be another possibility; the good news here is that I can literally swap the side that the throttle is on simply by rotating his handlebars. So, no problem there, but again, from an interior perspective, it's not ideal - and because of mobility issues, I always wind up resting my hands on the handlebars when mounting/dismounting.

The only other device I own is the rollator, which I despise so much that I have refused to name it! LOL it functions fine; I resent it for many reasons, not the least of which is that it's an ugly old-grandma-old-lady-sickly-person device. I know it's stupid; it does the job exactly as intended, and lord knows I have about run the wheels off of the thing. After this is all over, I will probably replace it with something that looks a little.... "cooler"? Less granny-like? Anyway, it's out of the question as well, because you have to have 2 hands to properly use the device. Or (as noted above) if you try to use it to sit and roll, you have to steer with your butt!

So, the only thing my family and I have been able to think of is something like a transport chair that I could sit in and "peddle" around. I'm not averse to the idea, but I want to find something that will be more comfortable than the traditional transport chair with the sling seat. I guess I could grab a cushion to make it... better?

Am I missing something, anything? Any and all ideas are welcome; the primary thing I have to have is something with a very small "footprint"; ideally the size of a kitchen chair (or rollator). It will need to have a stable, full size seat if I have to peddle it. And I need to be able to use it completely independent of my hand(s).

Help!

(and thank you!)


°o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o°

UPDATE: 6/1/22

We had such a lovely Memorial Day weekend...

And then COVID came calling again.

As of this writing, my family members are slowly dropping like flies; one after another is testing positive. I presume within the next 24 to 48 hours I probably will also (I was "slow" to test positive last time as well)

We are not sure how it happened, who got sick first, and quite frankly, that doesn't really matter right now. I just want everyone to either stay healthy, or recover quickly.

Anyway... my surgery has officially been placed on hold as a result; more than half of the people I was with over the weekend have now tested positive. A few are really quite ill, but the majority are just grumpy about being quarantined. Thank goodness for DoorDash and UberEats.

So... the good news is I now have time to find solutions that are considered and thoughtful instead of rushing around like a crazy person trying to make things happen in less than 10 business days!

And if you don't see me for a couple of weeks... you know why. The 'rona will have got me again.

Please accept my most sincere thanks for *all* of your suggestions; I genuinely appreciate each and every one! The generosity of our little family here to help me brainstorm this is so very precious to me!

 

[lanejudy]

Would a rolling stool work? My first thought was like a piano stool on wheels.
https://www.wayfair.com/Wayfair-Bas...bgDPt3vI7lAFRfof4_cuSSSTw0aNmVsEaApxPEALw_wcB

 

[SueM in MN]

I‘d suggest asking for an OT (Occupational Therapy) consult - especially since you are looking at something you’d need longer term than just 3-6 weeks.

In general, people using their feet to propel the wheelchair use a lower seat to floor height so their feet will reach the ground without their butt being dangerously far forward in the seat. A transport chair may not be the best choice for ‘foot propelling’ since they are meant for someone to push the person in the chair.
Seat cushions can be added to make a chair more comfortable, but their height needs to be taken into account too.

Another possibility would be a one arm drive manual wheelchair -they are used a lot by people with strokes that affect one side of the body. The wheels are linked together so using only one arm controls the wheelchair.

These are just a few things that an OT could help you explore - plus look at what you already have available and suggest possible ways the device or the way you use it could be adapted.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi mama bunny! The only thing I would have suggested for you is your Travelscoot. I really like the idea of the "upright" scooters' but I've heard a lot of complaints that they're very heavy. That's OK if you only use it in the house. But if, like me, you use it when out of the house, it's hard to get in and out of the car. And I share your feelings about the regular rollator. Please let us know if you find something less "granny-like".

 

[mamabunny]

Would a rolling stool work? My first thought was like a piano stool on wheels.
https://www.wayfair.com/Wayfair-Basics®--Wayfair-Basics®-Industrial-Stool-X115441587-L42-K~W004330476.html?refid=GX490215440621-W004330476_1918000301&device=m&ptid=1217147197128&network=g&targetid=pla-1217147197128&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=152031306&fdid=1817&PiID[]=1918000301&gbraid=0AAAAAD9ISC68R12Tsv3sm3Jt0HnJPGCMM&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1tGUBhDXARIsAIJx01kfrOzwzct71DDoxMmCLlkbgDPt3vI7lAFRfof4_cuSSSTw0aNmVsEaApxPEALw_wcB

That's very clever! If I didn't have to use something pretty much non-stop all day, I would certainly consider that. In fact, I may just get one for our kitchen, and leave it there! I don't think it would work around the house, because we do have several of those transition strips as you go from stone tile to hardwood and back again. But a stellar suggestion for the kitchen! Thank you!

I‘d suggest asking for an OT (Occupational Therapy) consult - especially since you are looking at something you’d need longer term than just 3-6 weeks.

In general, people using their feet to propel the wheelchair use a lower seat to floor height so their feet will reach the ground without their butt being dangerously far forward in the seat. A transport chair may not be the best choice for ‘foot propelling’ since they are meant for someone to push the person in the chair.
Seat cushions can be added to make a chair more comfortable, but their height needs to be taken into account too.

Another possibility would be a one arm drive manual wheelchair -they are used a lot by people with strokes that affect one side of the body. The wheels are linked together so using only one arm controls the wheelchair.

These are just a few things that an OT could help you explore - plus look at what you already have available and suggest possible ways the device or the way you use it could be adapted.

We are still waiting to hear from the OT folks; they are trying to find an opening for me, but given that the timeframe is so compressed (and we have so few OT's in this part of the country to begin with) it's likely that I won't get to work with one until early fall, by which time I hope this is mostly over with.

The one-arm drive wheelchair is very interesting; because my other non-dominant hand is in need of the same surgery, I can't grip to self-propel at the moment. In fact, I am currently using the rollator in all the wrong ways; since I can't grip the handles properly, the "fix" that the surgeon's office suggested until we can see OT is to raise the Rollator handles to their max height, and then lean on them with my forearms. I know I don't have to explain to you why that's not good for a lot of reasons.

Hi mama bunny! The only thing I would have suggested for you is your Travelscoot. I really like the idea of the "upright" scooters' but I've heard a lot of complaints that they're very heavy. That's OK if you only use it in the house. But if, like me, you use it when out of the house, it's hard to get in and out of the car. And I share your feelings about the regular rollator. Please let us know if you find something less "granny-like".

Thank you! I have been looking to see if there are any that don't rely on a hand grip - or are lightweight and collapse enough to take in my car, but have not found anything. There are some weird rollators and walkers out there!

I promise, if I ever find a "cooler" looking Rollator, I will post pictures and links here as soon as I can!

 

[SteveMouse]

Here’s a rollator with modern curves. Another one is the Hugo Explore. This is the Drive version: https://www.drivemedical.com/medias...g2OWY2NDc3M2Y5NGM2ZjljY2RmZTMzMDNkZGQ1MTA4MDQ

 

[mamabunny]

Here’s a rollator with modern curves. Another one is the Hugo Explore. This is the Drive version: https://www.drivemedical.com/medias...g2OWY2NDc3M2Y5NGM2ZjljY2RmZTMzMDNkZGQ1MTA4MDQ

LOL I have been looking *very* strongly at the Nitro Duet that is both rollator and (alleged) transport chair. Primarily for the seat height; 20 inches is exactly what I need. Also, pretty spiffy looking too!

I have seen the Explore in a couple of places now, and it's very interesting; I would love to chat with someone who has actually used it, only because I am curious if the seat is actually as comfortable as it looks.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[SteveMouse]

I have, and have had, Hugo Explores for at least 10 years. The frames are very, very durable. There is virtually no wiggle in the oldest one I currently have (one lives in the back of the car, and I have a second one for use in the house).

The seating is perfectly fine (165 pound, 5’7” adult male).

We’d bought a different, non-Hugo (or major label) brand rollator that had a forward-facing seat for a European cruise about 8 years ago (it could serve as a wheelchair and and rollator). It was OK to sit in, but did not handle cobblestones or other less than flat surfaces well. I vibrated it to death. The welds failed.

I‘ve never had a weld fail on one of the Hugos.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Hello friends!

I am going to have to have hand surgery in less than 2 weeks. Afterward, I won't be able to use my rollator - won't be able to put *any* pressure on the palm for at least 3 weeks, possibly up to 6 weeks. Fun fact: I am potentially facing 2 more operations this summer to get everything fixed, so I need to find a long-term solution, fast!

Typically, around the house, I can use my current rollator with few issues, however the seat is just a bit too high for me to use to "peddle" around the house. It works OK in our galley-style kitchen, but would be exhausting just to get from the bedroom to the bathroom. Because you have to steer with your butt with a traditional rollator it requires a lot more space than you might imagine. Weirdly, this is something I can do fairly well (Hey! no comments from the peanut gallery! LOL) but I don't want to have to do it for 6 weeks; driving backwards while steering with my hind-end all over the house is more stress than I need during recovery from surgery!

I looked at "upright" walkers that have arm support, but they really require the use of both hands, and my surgeon has already vetoed that idea.

Figgy is great (my Fold & Go) but he is just a bit too big for some spaces in our home. We are working on getting the entire house to be accessible, but in the near term, I don't think he is an option. Plus, the surgery is on my right hand (dominant side) and I think I would trash the house trying to maneuver with my left hand!

Angus (my Travelscoot) would be another possibility; the good news here is that I can literally swap the side that the throttle is on simply by rotating his handlebars. So, no problem there, but again, from an interior perspective, it's not ideal - and because of mobility issues, I always wind up resting my hands on the handlebars when mounting/dismounting.

The only other device I own is the rollator, which I despise so much that I have refused to name it! LOL it functions fine; I resent it for many reasons, not the least of which is that it's an ugly old-grandma-old-lady-sickly-person device. I know it's stupid; it does the job exactly as intended, and lord knows I have about run the wheels off of the thing. After this is all over, I will probably replace it with something that looks a little.... "cooler"? Less granny-like? Anyway, it's out of the question as well, because you have to have 2 hands to properly use the device. Or (as noted above) if you try to use it to sit and roll, you have to steer with your butt!

So, the only thing my family and I have been able to think of is something like a transport chair that I could sit in and "peddle" around. I'm not averse to the idea, but I want to find something that will be more comfortable than the traditional transport chair with the sling seat. I guess I could grab a cushion to make it... better?

Am I missing something, anything? Any and all ideas are welcome; the primary thing I have to have is something with a very small "footprint"; ideally the size of a kitchen chair (or rollator). It will need to have a stable, full size seat if I have to peddle it. And I need to be able to use it completely independent of my hand(s).

Help!

(and thank you!)

I agree with an ot and pt joint consult.
Watch this video to see forearm supports that allow you to use your arms as primary “push-point” (for lack of better term). One of the patients in the video has a forearm cast that makes it so she cannot grip the handles.

There’s also the style like they use most often for children, but I know that they’re available for adults also as I once worked with a gentleman in a care facility who had cerebral palsy and though he was of slight stature (approx 5’3”), his rear walker was adult-sized.
Perhaps your pt can source one for you, or retrofit your rollator with this type of supports like in the photos.

 

[mamabunny]

I have, and have had, Hugo Explores for at least 10 years. The frames are very, very durable. There is virtually no wiggle in the oldest one I currently have (one lives in the back of the car, and I have a second one for use in the house).

The seating is perfectly fine (165 pound, 5’7” adult male).

We’d bought a different, non-Hugo (or major label) brand rollator that had a forward-facing seat for a European cruise about 8 years ago (it could serve as a wheelchair and and rollator). It was OK to sit in, but did not handle cobblestones or other less than flat surfaces well. I vibrated it to death. The welds failed.

I‘ve never had a weld fail on one of the Hugos.

That's a *very* strong testimonial about the Hugos! They are definitely on my short list now. Thank you!

I agree with an ot and pt joint consult.
Watch this video to see forearm supports that allow you to use your arms as primary “push-point” (for lack of better term). One of the patients in the video has a forearm cast that makes it so she cannot grip the handles.

There’s also the style like they use most often for children, but I know that they’re available for adults also as I once worked with a gentleman in a care facility who had cerebral palsy and though he was of slight stature (approx 5’3”), his rear walker was adult-sized.
Perhaps your pt can source one for you, or retrofit your rollator with this type of supports like in the photos.

Thank you for that video link! The forearm supports were the first thing that my hubby started searching for, to see if we could retrofit the existing "granny style" rollator. We never did find anything, probably because, as my hubby pointed out, that it would really throw the user out of alignment, as well as cause issues with the overall center of gravity on that older-style rollator.

We have looked at the taller style devices that have forearm supports, however, I think I will be more comfortable being fitted by a professional to make sure that it will be the right height/size.

Now that I have more time before the surgery, I am hopeful that I will be able to get in with an OT (I already have a great PT) and maybe I will feel more prepared when the time comes!

Thank you so much - that was very thoughtful!

 

[AprilsZoo]

Thank you for that video link! The forearm supports were the first thing that my hubby started searching for, to see if we could retrofit the existing "granny style" rollator. We never did find anything, probably because, as my hubby pointed out, that it would really throw the user out of alignment, as well as cause issues with the overall center of gravity on that older-style rollator.

We have looked at the taller style devices that have forearm supports, however, I think I will be more comfortable being fitted by a professional to make sure that it will be the right height/size.

Now that I have more time before the surgery, I am hopeful that I will be able to get in with an OT (I already have a great PT) and maybe I will feel more prepared when the time comes!

Thank you so much - that was very thoughtful!

You are, of course, very welcome!

It is so difficult to go thru something that causes a typical person to be impaired in some way, because for many of us that “impairment” is just one more straw on the camel’s already broken back. I know for me, I’m always having to remind new drs that it’s not just the effects of the surgery or procedure that concern me… it’s how those effects will affect the rest my life. Just how am I supposed to do x or y if you take away my current coping mechanisms?

It’s such a blessing though to have message boards and support forums to reach out to for ideas, because you just never know what others will think of to solve an “unsolvable” problem.

I hope your surgery goes well and you have a very speedy, uneventful recovery.

 

[ZJ5/9D47]

You might adapt quicker to using your non-dominant hand than you think. I take my chair in all the haunted houses at Universal (often almost completely dark and ADA minimum the entire time so I maneuver around turns and through doors by feel and hope)….all with my formerly non-dominant hand. I usually travel alone now so have gotten adept at backing in to bathrooms so I can lock the door. Switching your chair’s joystick is super easy. There’s a learning curve for sure but don’t give up on yourself pre-maturely!

 

[BethCPTSD]

Mamabunny,
Did you ever get your surgery?

 

[mamabunny]

Mamabunny,
Did you ever get your surgery?

No… sadly, not yet.

We had scheduled it for last week, and then my husband was injured at work literally the day he got back from our last WDW trip, and now requires a surgical intervention of his own; I am hopeful that by late fall I will have had both hands “fixed”.

Luckily, for the moment I can use “buddy taping” and ring splints to help control my pain and swelling, and ironically, my hubby’s ortho specialist is in the same office as my hand specialist, so hand specialist told me that if I need anything at all, to just pop by his nurse’s desk, or call her directly. It’s also (bonus irony LOL) the same office that my neurosurgeon is out of - the one who did my emergency spinal fusion 18 months ago!

I told my husband we are officially “old” now - we have seen almost every doctor in that practice!

 

[iuki]

Sorry to hear of your situations you’re dealing with. I’ll same some prayers for a quick recovery.

 

[BethCPTSD]

Wow, it sounds like you and your husband have really been through a lot lately! I'm really sorry your surgery keeps getting pushed back, but that's wonderful that your neurosurgeon's office has put themselves at your disposal! Thank goodness for kind doctors who "get it"!

I'll say a prayer for you both!