I broke an ankle and needed surgery to put in hardware to repair the break. I got a staph infection following surgery that wasn’t discovered until the orthopedic doc went to remove the cast. I spent the better part of the next two years with additional surgery (immediately after discovery of infection), crutches, a boot, and IV antibiotics. I traveled by plane once during the ordeal (Boston to Chicago) and arranged for a wheel chair and booked business class. Doc told me to take baby asprin before the trip. I got up several times (had an aisle seat). I also did pre-boarding. Good luck. My arms got really toned and strong (best they ever looked) from using crutches!!