Miniscus (knee) problem-what to do?

[gregdan]

We have been planning this DL trip since last spring. We are going even if my knee doesn't cooperate. (I fell in the mall on a waxed cookie bag). Any advice
on how to navigate this crowded park during Xmas? I guess I will have to rent a wheelchair. I am waiting for an orthopedist apt. next week. Thanks!!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

My DH has knee problems of various sorts, and has had a torn miniscus. I would think your orthopedist is the best one to ask, so mention the Disney trip, and that it's not going to be postponed, and find out what the best options are. Maybe it's a knee brace, maybe you'll need a wheelchair.

PS. I'm so glad you're not going to cancel! We had to cancel a trip, and it was so sad. Fortunately we were able to reschedule, and our first trip to DL was awesome!!!

 

[mystic_path]

Get a knee brace, extremely comfortable shoes, and see your specialist to see what he would recommend. Also you can always keep a wheel chair on hand just incase you cant walk for a little while! LOL Id love to be pushed around Disneyland and not have to walk anywhere LOL! Its tiring after awhile. Look at it like its an added bonus LOL in its own kind of way.

 

[mAlien13]

gregdan, I'm so glad you are still going!!

My mother has had two full knee replacements, and we go to the parks a lot. There have been times when she has needed a wheelchair every day, and trips when she was okay for a day or two and then needed one. Some of the tips I have for you though are to get one early if you think you might need one. When the parks are busy, they can run out (at least in WDW, not sure about DL) Also, I have heard they rent out the newest/nicest ones first. Make sure you bring a pillow, blanket or towel to place near the bars, my mother has had wounds rubbed into her skin from the chairs that became very painful and took quite a while to heal. If you are not a small person, I also suggest that you request the 'large' wheelchair. These are wider and less likely to grow uncomfortable. We used one in DL our last trip, and my mother was much more comfortable.

We also rented her one of the electric carts for one of our WDW trips, but it was very hard for her to navigate it through the crowds. For the cost, she felt it wasn't worth the stress.

My mother was very worried and slightly embarassed the first time she needed a wheelchair in the park. I can tell you that all the experience we have had is that the CM's are really kind and helpful.

I hope that you are feeling well and in little pain when you go, but if you do need a chair, rest assured that your trip will still be magical!!!

Best Wishes!!!

 

[KirklandTutu]

When I saw the title of this post, I wondered if I had written it!

My husband and I have been planning our mid-december trip to DL for several months. He decided that about three weeks ago, it would be a great idea for him to rip his ACL, PCL, LCL, and miniscus. As he'll be having surgery on it this next week, I've been in overdrive trying to plan as carefully as I can to make sure the trip goes as smoothly as possible as he'll have a huge brace and minimal movement.

The only big concern is from flying so soon after the surgery (three weeks). At higher altitudes blood clots can form, but since the flight isn't that long, if any symptoms start to form there will be plenty of time to get to an ER...so the doctor says.

After talking to people at vacation planning, I was able to convince my husband that he really does want to get a wheelchair. I think dragging him to the mall yesterday solidified that for him. We're planning on renting one by the day at our hotel (Grand Californian). I also requested rooms that were closer to the elevators so that we'd be able to cut down on any walking that he might end up doing around the hotel. With resteraunts, I requested a table not in the middle of the room and/or a larger table than one just for four so that he could put his leg up without worrying about a child or character running into him.

I also talked to them about his biggest concern, which is loading and unloading in an expedient manner. From what it sounds like, this isn't a problem as they have different loading procedures for many of the rides to keep things from being held up.

All in all, I'm planning on heading straight to city hall as soon as we get there to make sure we're up to date with the disabilites guide. I know he wants to head straight for space mountain, but if I'm pushing the chair around, I'm going to decide what we do first.

 

[LOLA2]

Hi I work at a physical therapy clinic and I see these patients come in all the time. (I work in adminisstration not a therapist). Definately rent a wheelchair
Don't even try crutchen, way to tiring. Get a knee brace and only stand when getting up to go on rides. If you see an orthopedic or P.T. do the exercises they give you every day.

 

[disneedee]

this is not from the view point of the injury but the wheelchair issue. you will be surprised how many hills there are in disneyland when you are trying to push a wheelchair up them. my father does fine walking but a full day of being on his legs puts him in a lot of pain and takes him out of the vacation for the rest of the trip, so after renting the wheelchair one time, we have rented the electric vehicle for him the last 3 times. it gives him more freedom than the wheelchair and does not bother his vanity as much. yes the crowds are difficult if extremely busy but we try to walk in front to clear the way.

we rent offsite and they drop it off at the hotel and pick it up afterwards so the walking before and after the parks is eliminated also.

do not try the wheel chair entrances to space mt or potc if you can do the regular as i have seen those extremely backed up.

 

[KirklandTutu]

this is not from the view point of the injury but the wheelchair issue. you will be surprised how many hills there are in disneyland when you are trying to push a wheelchair up them. QUOTE]


I'm a fitness freak and am actually looking forward to the added work out of pushing him around. I figure I can eat more food since I'll be more hungry after all that! Monte' Cristos, here I come!