Will we be able to ride FoP if husband and I have knee problems?

[disneygrandma]

Our knees don't bend the way they used to, and it's hard to get on some of the rides, such as Small World. I'm worried about the calf restraints "clamping down". Also, it's possible that our next trip will be about 3 weeks after a knee replacement on one knee. Will that cause an issue on this ride?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DisneyOma]

Our knees don't bend the way they used to, and it's hard to get on some of the rides, such as Small World. I'm worried about the calf restraints "clamping down". Also, it's possible that our next trip will be about 3 weeks after a knee replacement on one knee. Will that cause an issue on this ride?

Thanks for your help!

Can you get on/off something like a motorcycle? That's pretty much what ride vehicle is like - check out some videos on YouTube to get a good look!

 

[Klayfish]

Unfortunately, nobody will be able to accurately answer that question (a very similar one was recently asked). It depends 100% on the individual and their knee problems. The calf restraints don't clamp down on you like an iron vice, so no worries there. I have "bad" knees and had zero issues with the ride, it doesn't put your legs at an awkward angle or anything, IMO. But nobody will be able to say if they'll hurt your knees. You'll have to try it to find out.

 

[mom2rtk]

Disney 3 weeks after knee replacement seems ambitious. My dad was still in PT for many weeks after his. Maybe find video of someone being seated on the ride and ask your doctor?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I had knee replacement 3 years ago. I was doing outpatient physical therapy up to about the 10th week following surgery. The knee is great now, but don't think I could imagine doing Disney World at 3 weeks.

Best wishes for a good surgery and rehab.

 

[rwdavis2]

You will very much regret going to WDW 3 weeks after a knee replacement. You probably won't last more than an hour or 2 on your feet in the parks unless you have a wheel chair, an ECV, or are heavily medicated. I have had them both done.

Are you flying to WDW? If you still go check with the surgeon. I had just a simple meniscus repair and could not fly for 6 weeks. The surgery introduced air into knee tissues and with lower air pressure in the plane I would have experienced "the bends" in the knee.

You may want to postpone the trip if you have the replacement.

 

[disneygrandma]

I'm planning on having an ECV. I would not attempt the trip without it. I figured my PT would be 2-3 times per wk, so I would be missing some of my PT. Hopefully, I can do the exercises while we're gone to help make up for missing PT. I will be seeing the DR this week, and will ask about traveling. Thanks for your help!

 

[rwdavis2]

I'm planning on having an ECV. I would not attempt the trip without it. I figured my PT would be 2-3 times per wk, so I would be missing some of my PT. Hopefully, I can do the exercises while we're gone to help make up for missing PT. I will be seeing the DR this week, and will ask about traveling. Thanks for your help!

At 3 weeks I'm not sure you could do many of the exercises on your own. Have you discussed the details with your doctor? When I was at 3 weeks if I even set my foot down wrong or twisted the knee it would be extremely painful, even with medication. I would just caution you to not take the recovery lightly. It is orders of magnitude more involved than repairing cartilage damage.

Good luck.

 

[Dan Murphy]

As to the FoP portion of your question, the leg/knee portion of the ride does need to fit your leg/knee properly. If you even went to WDW and tried to ride that ride, it might be a bit of a contortion to do so, depending on where you are in your extension and flexion rehab.