Using a Cane at Disney World

[TeresaNJ]

Hi all! We'll be leaving for Disney in about 7 weeks, and I have extremely bad knees. Just had to have a right knee meniscus tear repaired yesterday, had the left one repaired last summer, and my left knee continually swells up with fluid, so I have to have it repeatedly drained. I'm thinking about purchasing a cane to take to Disney for our September trip. I've had to wheelchair it before, due to my back problems, but really was hoping to walk it this trip. The thoughts of using a scooter gives me nightmares.

Are there any restrictions on bringing canes on any of the attractions? I could purchase a folding cane, but like the styles of the non-folding better. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) About half the time, I use a cane.
. . . my knee doesn't bother me *much* any longer since my weight loss
. . . but, I use it for balance on days when I walk long distances
2) It is a decorative/distinctive non-folding one Wood Canes *
. . . solid wood, with brass inlay bands
. . . knob at the end instead of a right-angle handle
. . . rubber tipped at the ground
3) For WDW
. . . there are no restrictions
. . . you can take it on about one-third of the rides
. . . for other rides, where it is a hazard, the CM's return it to you when exiting the ride vehicle

* Yes, I know, I always have to be different. But, I do get nice comments on
the unusual/different cane.

 

[asta]

One of the good extra things about canes is that it is signal to people around you that you may need a little extra help. Just that they might need to be cautious about cutting you off or stepping into your path. I struggled with knee pain for many years and was constantly frustrated by needing to stop quickly or pivot in crowds (both causing extreme pain). I had to buy a cane before knee replacement surgery and was amazed at how other people saw the cane and helped a little. Then it dawned upon me that others had not been able to read my mind and know that I needed help. Most people really are nice when they know help is needed.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Thanks, guys! Rusty, so funny, I've been checking out that website all morning! I don't want an ugly cane, lol. Is it hard holding onto the knob?

 

[bidnow5]

I used a cane last May the only problem I had was a few times my cane was kicked or bumped I don't use it for balance I use to take weight off of my foot if I was using it for balance I might have fallen so just be carful in crowded areas

 

[TeresaNJ]

I used a cane last May the only problem I had was a few times my cane was kicked or bumped I don't use it for balance I use to take weight off of my foot if I was using it for balance I might have fallen so just be carful in crowded areas

Yikes, that's scary! Sometimes I need it for balance, and sometimes just to take the weight off my knee, depending on how swollen my knees are, and how badly they hurt! I think if I'm at the point where I need it for balance, I'll opt to let the hubby push me in a wheelchair.

 

[The Hunchback]

I have both a foldable cane and a non-folding model. I like the non-folding one better. It is stronger.

I have had a problem with it sliding from my hands on even simple rides. Peter Pan was the closest to a real drop. I nearly bombed London.

If they offer to hold it for me, I let them. I have my name on it as canes look
a lot alike. I was handed back one that was not mine.

I would also suggest you work on your worry about using an ECV. They can be very useful and most of the time, not a big problem. Your knee may not hold out for the whole trip.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I've been checking out that website all morning! I don't want an ugly cane, lol. Is it hard holding onto the knob?

1) Not hard at all.
2) If in doubt, they sell and el-cheapo elastic cord to attach to your wrist.
3) Kind of liek an "idiot mitten"
4) It is the best cane I have seen or used.
. . . easy to handle
. . . easy to hold
. . . easy on the eyes
5) Besides, if you need to move someone along, a LIGHT tap on their shoulder with the knob always works.
6) And, woe be to the person who might have thoughts of attacking me in a parking lot!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

In 2013 I managed with my folding walking stick (has a gel handle so I don't get the impact shock up my left arm), but 2014 I hired a scooter and just took the stick into rides with me. Some of them they held it for me but most I was able to take it on.

 

[DvcDoc]

I use a Hurri-cane at WDW. I find it's easier to use in conjunction with an ECV, just a quick flip and it's open and I can fold it up to put in the mesh pocket on rides. All in all, a reasonable choice for me.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I have both a foldable cane and a non-folding model. I like the non-folding one better. It is stronger.

I have had a problem with it sliding from my hands on even simple rides. Peter Pan was the closest to a real drop. I nearly bombed London.

If they offer to hold it for me, I let them. I have my name on it as canes look
a lot alike. I was handed back one that was not mine.

I would also suggest you work on your worry about using an ECV. They can be very useful and most of the time, not a big problem. Your knee may not hold out for the whole trip.

1) Not hard at all.
2) If in doubt, they sell and el-cheapo elastic cord to attach to your wrist.
3) Kind of liek an "idiot mitten"
4) It is the best cane I have seen or used.
. . . easy to handle
. . . easy to hold
. . . easy on the eyes
5) Besides, if you need to move someone along, a LIGHT tap on their shoulder with the knob always works.
6) And, woe be to the person who might have thoughts of attacking me in a parking lot!

OMG, you guys are cracking me up! I'm glad you can all be humorous through your pain, lol.

Hunchback, I know I shouldn't fear the ECV, but I do! I'm afraid I'll run into someone, not to mention the looks you get when holding up the bus line.

DVC Doc, I'll have to check out that Hurri-cane, now that you mention it. I do remember seeing it advertised on TV.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

If you're going to use the cane for balance at all, you should probably look for one of the metal ones with a padded handle. They also have a curve rather than having the cane and handle be attached perpendicularly. These days you can get them in probably hundreds of different patterns if you look around online. Amazon actually has a very wide selection, but there are many other sites. The type I'm talking about do generally have a wrist strap. For regular canes, they're the most supportive, plus, the entire cane is one piece of metal so can't break. Someone once broke a folding cane I had by putting weight on the handle wrong or something so that it no longer stuck to the actual cane (I'd lent it to the person and wasn't around when the cane actually broke); that made it useless and I could not find a way to reattach. I also find the soft handle on the ones I suggest better, even compared to a cane that was "ergonomic", but not soft. The absolute most stable canes are the quad canes, but they're less convenient.

While it's ultimately your decision, if you can drive a car, you'll probably be fine with an ECV. If you ever use the type you can find in grocery stores or box stores, those are generally harder to use than the ones at WDW (whether renting at the parks or from an offsite vendor). You definitely won't be the youngest person at WDW using an ECV (by a long shot). Honestly, in my years of using mobility aids at WDW, I've never noticed dirty looks when using transportation or anything like that. People complain much more online than they ever actually care while they're at WDW. Ultimately, you won't see them again so why care what they think?

 

[The Hunchback]

TeresaNJ
It sounded like we made you laugh. I am so glad. Humor is 50% of all healing.

I do not have a string on my cane now but will by the time we go to WDW in Oct. No more air attacks in Peter Pan. Good idea by someone.

Teresa-- if you use an ECV you will most likely bump someone. But remember you are not moving at light speed. It will be a firm bump that is all. They will most likely be at fault and say they are sorry. I can't speak to the buses as I have never ridden one. I am going to try this time just to see how hard it is. The look is always there sometime during the trip. Just learn to not see it. Riding the ECV is better than ruining your family vacation. Have fun.

 

[SashaFarce]

I use an ECV to get around in the park and about 75% of the time leave it outside of rides due to problems seeing in the dark/poor coordination. The rest of the time, I use a cane. Mine folds and has a great gel handle, and I take it on lots of things but only need to fold it up on "no loose items"-type rides or the like.

 

[wandep]

The last trip I took a cane and find it hurts more to use it especially walking a lot. Also bothersome when trying to do different things. We are getting season passes this year and decided to go with an adult rollator walker with wheels and breaks. I have 2 different types of arthritis in both knees. I found a pink one on ebay for half the price of a new one. It also has a seat for when you get tired of walking or waiting in long lines. I figure it can carry my backpack too easily. I can't wait to try it out in December.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Thank you all so much for your helpful suggestions! Right now my knees feel pretty good, but who knows how they'll be by the time we leave, which is September 19th. My ortho knee doc told me to be good to them until he sees me in a few weeks. Uh, okay. I still need to go up and down stairs, and move around. What does he think I'm doing?

He refuses to even consider knee replacements, saying I'm too young. I'll be 58 in September. So I'm suppose to hobble around, scared I'm going to fall, not enjoying life, for the next ten years? Doesn't make sense to me. He said he could give me the Synvisc injections, and see how that works. I'm considering trying it before we go away. Any of you all have that done?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) With that much pain, I would get a second opinion.
2) Several of the guys in our retired group had replacements in their 50's.
. . . golf
. . . walking
. . . golf
. . . swimming
. . . golf
. . . golf
3) Why not enjoy life instead of enduring the pain?

 

[WheeledTraveler]

He refuses to even consider knee replacements, saying I'm too young. I'll be 58 in September. So I'm suppose to hobble around, scared I'm going to fall, not enjoying life, for the next ten years? Doesn't make sense to me. He said he could give me the Synvisc injections, and see how that works. I'm considering trying it before we go away. Any of you all have that done?

My uncle had Synvisc injections first done a year or two ago. His insurance required him to try them before they'd approve a knee replacement. For him, they've meant he can put off the knee replacement indefinitely. He definitely recommends them as something worth trying before surgery. Based on his experience, you might be forced to try them by your insurance, anyway. His doctors had been trying to convince him to get a knee replacement for probably close to a decade prior to the injections (his problems date to an injury almost 40 years ago), but it took that long before he'd agree. That's when they found out insurance required him to try the Synvisc first. I'm sure they aren't successful for everyone, but they clearly do work for some people.

I definitely know people your age or younger (both men & women) who've had knee replacements. Your doctor may be trying to put one off because of concern that you might eventually wear out the replacement even though current technology makes that less likely. Depending on why you have knee problems to begin with and the rest of your medical history, there may be other reasons why your ortho would want to delay specifically for you. It's worth asking what he sees as a minimum age before he'd do them for your knees. It's also possible that he's just old school and doesn't understand that patients today won't put up with the reduced mobility the way they might have 20-30 years ago.

I do think TheRustyScupper is right about getting a second opinion. Even if your ortho wanted to do surgery now, getting a second opinion is always a good idea before any sort of surgery. Personally, I'd look for a second opinion from an ortho who doesn't share a practice with yours (and definitely one who specializes in knees). If you decide to get a second opinion and your ortho objects to the idea, it would raise a red flag for me. Good doctors aren't threatened by second opinions and most will advise you to seek a second opinion before elective surgery anyway (all non-emergency surgeries are considered elective even if the patient doesn't see them that way!).

Good luck!

 

[ttintagel]

Crutch rather than cane anecdotes:

The only trouble I ever had was when I had trouble getting my backpack off after boarding by Doombuggy in the HM, and I couldn't get my crutches out of the way of the descending lap bar in time. The Everything ground to a halt, and my sister yelled, "Nice going! You BROKE the Haunted Mansion!"

Another time, I asked the CM while boarding Space Mountain, "Is there a place to leave my crutches?" instead of the more direct, "Where do I leave my crutches?" He deadpanned, "No, there isn't - just take them with you. They'll fly out and you can catch them at the bottom." Then we both laughed and he took them for me.

Whenever I had to share a boat bench (Pirates, iasw, Living with the land, etc.) with strangers, every single person was very nice and helped me stow the crutches on the floor.

 

[minkydog]

I'm quite literally feeling your pain. I had a left knee arthroscopy 6 months ago to remove a large portion of the injured meniscus and grind down some arthritis. Recovery hasn't been easy and has taken MUCH longer than I though it would. I was reliant on my cane for 3-4 months post-op and used an ECV many times for grocery shopping because I simply couldn't walk all that far. Only in the last 3 weeks have I started to get some relief and my knee still gets tired very fast.

Do you seriously think you're going to be able to walk 5-7 miles around the parks with your swollen, painful knees? I would strongly suggest that you consider trying an ECV, just to get the weight off your knees. You don't have to use it all the time. You husband or other adult can drive it when you'd rather walk, or you can park it in a central place and then go to a few rides in that area with your cane. You will only benefit from giving those knees a rest!

The last time we were there, I used an ECV. I had just gotten the cast off my broken ankle and I knew there was no way I could walk around the hotel, let alone the parks. I also carried a refillable ice pack and an ACE bandage (to wrap it to my leg) with me. Then 2-3 times a day I went to First Aid and they filled up the ice pack. They also allowed me to lie down for about 20 min, which gave my back and shoulders a rest, as well as my ankle.

I know some people have misgivings about using an ECV, partly because they're embarrassed or they think someone will think they're wimpy fakers trying to get attention. Personally, I think that way of thinking is bogus.
I cannot walk as fast, nor as far as my kids and I don't want to hold them back waiting for Mom to catch up 60 times a day. I also don't want my knee to swell up the size of my head because I was just too stubborn to ride. And finally, I don't really care was a bunch of complete strangers thinks about me or my decision to ride an ECV. They don't like it? They don't have to look. Get outta my way or I'll hit you with my cane!