So, I picked the worst time to break my ankle (distal left avulsion left fibula fracture). I might change my avatar to a pic of the x-ray. The urgent care place put me in an air boot, but I can’t call for an orthopedic appointment until tomorrow morning when the offices reopen after the holiday. Assuming I get an appointment soon, and assuming they put me in a hard cast, I’ll be on crutches for a while. We have just borrowed a knee scooter from a friend but I haven’t tried it out yet. And it doesn’t fold down.
Assuming Hurricane Irma doesnt interfere, we are scheduled to fly across country in a week to be there for the birth of our first grandchild. I do not want to miss this for the world if I can help it, so am not looking for “postpone til later” suggestions. We will make arrangements with the airlines for a wheelchair to get through the airport at both ends, and arrange for a driver to get us to the airport super early (8 am flight is booked). What I would appreciate hearing is from people who have been on crutches and navigated airline travel. Do you have any tips/pointers? My DH and son have both travelled with broken legs, but how we navigated things is fuzzy (and it was DH who navigated with DS when he flew back to school after breaking his leg). Has anyone used ergonomic crutches? I found on line a gizmo that one can wear on their leg and not use crutches http://iwalk-free.com/product-introduction/ but reviews say its hard to learn to be stable on it without falling over. Has anyone tried this thing? Any orthopedist out there? Might I be left in the air boot thing or is a hard cast more likely with what is hopefully an uncomplicated break?
Thanks in advance. My timing sucks.
Booking a wheelchair was a good step. Can you upgrade to first class or a comfort seat? Request a bulkhead seat due to your injury?
I flew on crutches/in a wheelchair after surgery a few years ago. We did everything listed above, plus took advantage of early boarding for those people who need a little extra time and used all the ramps, elevators, and handicapped access bathrooms. Family bathrooms are also useful in that your H can come in and help you if necessary. Having your H there is also a great help. Mine carried my stuff and ran interference with TSA and the airlines as necessary.
About TSA. I didn’t have any problems. The guy pushing my wheelchair was eager to help and explained to TSA that I had just had surgery. I affirmed that and asked if I could please not walk through the metal detector but have a pat down instead. The officer was happy to oblige and patted me down very gently. (You may be able to walk through the metal detector those few steps no problem. I could not have walked unaided.) Basically, we were very polite but insistent about my limitations. And we arrived early. We were effusive in thanking them for accommodating my needs.
I flew with a cane (alone) for a few months afterwards while I was still healing. Again I took advantage of the ADA compliant features of the airports (thank God for the ADA!): restrooms, elevators, early boarding, etc. I needed the cane, but I also felt like it was a good visual warning to other travelers to be careful about bumping in to me.
I think you need to call the airline and airport as soon as you know your exact boot or cast situation and your limitations.
The situation is going to be different if you’re non-weight-bearing than if you’re allowed to put some weight on the injured foot. It’s quite difficult to walk with crutches when you’re non-weight-bearing, and it would be even more difficult on a jetway or in the narrow aisle of a plane than in other places. If you’re non-weight-bearing, you might want to ask that they wheel you down the jetway in one of those special narrow wheelchairs and give you a seat on the plane up front near the restroom. If you’re allowed to put some weight on the injured foot, you probably only need a wheelchair ride to the gate and priority boarding (with another wheelchair at the other end of the journey).
A few other things to consider:
Will you be required to keep your leg elevated as much as possible? This might involve buying a whole row of seats so you have a place to put the leg.
Will they be doing any surgery on your ankle, and do you have to avoid flying for a period of time after that because of the risk of blood clots?
Can you actually walk on crutches if you’re non-weight-bearing? Some people (I’m one of them) can’t do it. It’s very challenging, physically. The alternative is a walker, but even with that, it’s difficult to move more than a few feet (because you basically use the walker as a portable set of grab bars and hop).
Finally, if you decide that the best way to make this trip is to make extensive use of a wheelchair, tell your orthopedist. Using a wheelchair extensively increases your risk of blood clots, and you might need to take extra medicine to avoid this risk.
Thanks everyone. I am guessing that for the first several weeks it will be non-weight bearing (see the x-ray) so I will arrange for a wheelchair at the airports. Our airport is too massive to negotiate on crutches and/or the scooter, which I am just trying out. My mom had phlebitis so I am well aware of the risk of clots, I’ve been fine on the crutches so far, and am looking into a good backpack. I have reached out to some people acknowledging who work for the airlines.
You can get down the plane aisle on crutches. You do sort of a sideways hop. Clearly, a seat near the front is better and going to the bathroom is interesting. I’ve done it all totally non-weight bearing on the one leg and with no travel companion. You really can’t make any plans or decisions until you see the real orthopedist and find out what the treatment will be. If you truly have to be on crutches all day, you will need better crutches than what they give you at the clinic. Your arms are going to die and so will your armpits. http://crutchesguide.com/
When I broke my fibula I was allowed to remain in air boot and be TOTALLY non-weight-bearing for over a month, if I recall. That being the case, I’m wondering whether driving or train ride may be more comfortable than flying and give you and your H more flexibility.
Otherwise, I agree with tips posted above about arriving super-early and using whhrkxhair including aisle wheelchair for in-plane and sitting as far forward near bathroom in at least economy plus seat as possible. Good luck. Perhaps your orthopedist has additional tips.
MOWC- Ive been looking at several different crutch options- had looked at the ones with the arm rest things that give you some free hand option and I think one I saw had a knee support. As I mentioned above , the one legged thing in that link looked intruiging but people said its hard to get stable on it.
I have a slight tendency to touch the toe of the boot down just for stability. Am trying not to put weight on it.
I saw someone with the walk-free device earlier this week. It looked pretty bulky. I would be afraid someone would bump into it from behind and take you down. The last thing you would want is any additional injuries beyond the ankle.
I flew with crutches…but it was years ago. The flight attendants were very accommodating. Mine stowed the crutches for me during the flight…but that was back in the day when there was a place to do so.
Great that you got preboarding and a bulkhead seat.
Will you be using a wheelchair at your destination as well?
There are all kinds of medical rental things available in Florida - wheel chairs, motorized wheelchairs, scooters, etc. Maybe you can have stuff waiting for you. Are you renting a car? Make sure it is big enough for all your new equipment.
You should be fine. When my parents fly, they get a wheelchair through the airport, special TSA, etc. Normally they do not use wheelchairs, but it is too much walking and climbing stairs in the airport. Check whatever baggage you can. Medical equipment should be checked without a baggage charge.
