broke foot 3 weeks before first europe trip

You might check to see if you can get a knee scooter. I have 2 sisters-in-law who had bunion surgery and liked the scooters much better than crutches. See this site for more info: kneescooter.net Hope you heal quickly!

Hi Christa, I know a little of your pain, just a little .. broke my ankle just over 3 weeks ago. It was two weeks spent mostly with the foot in the air. The bed is covered with pillows, cushy blankets, and a storage bundle of blankets to make a bit of an "ottoman." I was always rearranging things for comfort. Poor hubby has been in the guest room. Two weeks after the break was when I took some baby steps. For walking, the hurt foot wears an Aircast brace and I used walker for support, which changed to a cane about 6 days after first small steps, and now after six more days I am forgetting the cane sometimes in the house (but make sure I use it when going it outside). Has your doctor offered an opinion? I'm no doctor, just offering a personal story, so doctor's thoughts highly more important, of course. If you really tried to go, I think (not a doctor, remember) you'd better be directing everything from your bed .. keep that foot in the air until headed to the airport. For traveling .. wheelchair. I saw those kneeling thingies online, but while I was mostly stuck in bed I washed my hair by kneeling the hurt leg on a chair and by time I was done the toes would need elevation to get rid of the purple. If a foot is worse than an ankle, wheelchair could be a lot more comfortable, as well as easier for people to see that you are traveling with a disability, so hopefully get doors held open, etc. Have you considered staying in just one, or two, of the cities? By the time I hit post, there may already be plenty of posts asking about insurances and/or adjusting the trip dates, eh?

Christa, That's an unfortunate occurrence, especially so close to the departure date. The main question is how to adjust your travel practices to allow you to take the trip without too many problems. Which bone(s) in the foot are affected? As you suspect, travel in Europe usually DOES involve lots of walking, so this is a definite concern. There will also be stairs leading to Metro stations and onto trains. The first step is to discuss your travel plans with your Physician, to see if he/she can offer any suggestions. You might also ask whether analgesics or anti-inflammatory med's will help the situation? I'd try to avoid using a Wheelchair, as that would be a real "pain" to haul around Europe (especially on the trains)! The Crutches are certainly one option, but I've found that it takes some "practice" to get used to navigating stairs quickly and easily (it wouldn't be a good scenario if you fell down the stairs to the Metro). Another option that may work (depending on the specifics of your injury) would be a product like this: www.physioroom.com/injuries/ankle_and_foot/metatarsal_fracture_full.php#2545 You could keep some of the weight off your injured foot when walking by using a Cane rather than Crutches. It would of course slow you down while touring, but IMO would be the least "cumbersome" solution. You'll need to "pace yourself" while touring, and allow an afternoon break back at the Hotel so that you can elevate and rest your foot. Good luck and happy travels!

You're welcome. The link to the SNCB page is a little rough on the Victorian system here so it didn't make the link. In the open, for you to cut and paste it is
http://hari.b-rail.be/infsta/InfoStation.aspx?StationId=1000220&lang=3 Happy travels...

None of us know the extent of your injury and your overall health... but I doubt you'll still have significant swelling after 3 weeks. Some suggestions- see if you can upgrade your airline seat to one with more legroom. If you're the type who can go an entire flight with using the restroom, I would try to get a window seat so that you won't have to get up much during the flight. If you've never used crutches before, you may be surprised how little they impair your mobility over flat, even ground, especially once you get used to them. The problems would be moving up and down hills and over uneven pavement. It is possible to move up and down some stair cases (forget about even attempting the narrow spiral staircases in some older buildings), but you'll probably need some practice. Most train stations have an elevator to reach the platforms. I'm not sure about metro stations, though. If you're walking fine on crutches, I can imagine that a wheel chair might be more inconvenient. Overall, your sight-seeing priorities will probably have to be less ambitious, but if you're moving OK with the crutches, there's no reason you can't enjoy Europe.

Some information for Paris in this thread on another forum. It has a link to another one, too:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/broken-foot-in-paris-cancel-trip-or-go-anyway-help.cfm

Thanks for the replies/suggestions. I'm in excellent health overall, just my foot is the problem. I had originally hoped to get an airboot so that I could walk, albeit slowly. The problem is I have an avulsion fracture of the 5th metatarsal, which means the bone pulled away from the tendons holding it. In my case, the bone pulled completely away. If it was partial, I'd still be able to walk slightly. The doctor put me in an airboot instead of a cast so that I can take it off to get a shower. The problem is I can't put any weight on it whatsoever. The act of walking or bearing weight pulls on the tendons which prevents healing. He told me to cancel the trip initially. When I argued he said I could try it, but he'd be a bit worried about blood clots on the plane and that I wouldn't be resting it like I should. I already had to fly cross-county the day after I broke it because we had plans for a college orientation for my daughter. I have to be honest, while I'm in good physical shape, I hadn't realized how weak my upper body is until I tried 'crutching' around a hilly college campus. My foot kept throbbing because it wasn't elevated and my arms were about to fall off after a few hours. This is what worries me about Europe. On the one hand, I prefer the mobility of crutches, but I think they'll be worse for me if my foot still swells like it has been the past week whenever it isn't elevated. For this reason I'm considering buying a wheelchair with one of those foot extenders that holds the leg at 90 degrees. I already contacted the airline and explained the situation. I asked for a bulkhead row so that I could stretch my leg out. I was told that those seats can't be assigned until you're at the gate, but they did make a note on my ticket. I didn't know what else to do besides that, though.

Is there any way you can postpone the trip? If you don't have insurance you may still be able to change the airline tickets for less than it would cost to cancel them. I wound up on crutches during a tour of Turkey. While I would have done better if the crutches hadn't been too big for me (!!!) I still can't imagine trying to do that trip if I hadn't been on a tour with lots of help. I also traveled some months after breaking my ankle in a car crash, after the injury was supposedly healed, and wound up limping around Budapest, Vienna, Venice and a few other places, and it really was a pain in both senses of the word. In your situation I would be reluctant to put a full recovery at risk. I hadn't realized how much stair climbing, and how much walking, you had to do to use the London tube, for instance, until I had foot problems. BTW, RS did produce "Easy Access Europe", which hasn't been updated, but might be useful if you can find a second-hand copy.

Christa - do you have trip insurance? I know that postponing the trip wasn't one of the options stated in your question but it sounds like you have a bad break and are in a lot of pain. Maybe you could reschedule the trip and do it on your daughter's holiday break?

My friends and I have gone thru recovery from foot and ankle surgery. If you can not put any weight on your foot, I suggest you arrange for a wheelchair. Consider using only hotels with elevators, riding in taxis, and limiting your activities. Your daughter may want to move around while you sit and sip tea. Getting on and off trains will be challenging. I have seen offices in Italian train stations that help "handicapped" or "disabled" customers. Airlines can lift you onto the plane; I saw it done using the same lift they use for loading supplies onto the plane. Trains may have some sort of lift system, too. Be sure to alert the airline that you will need help getting on and off. You can be met with a wheelchair when you land. In the meanwhile, build up your strength for using crutches. You will feel more in charge of your mobility if you can use crutches at least part of the time.

I was in London just after a foot fracture too. Most larger museums, such as the V&A, offer courtesy wheelchairs. We worked our days around getting "wheelie" time respite. In each city, consider doing HO-HO buses and river cruises - you can get a lot of sightseeing without walking. If you sign up for bus tours, you can stay behind with the bus (taking over the back seat), while your daughter tours with the group - that way you'll know that she will not miss out and be safe at the same time. Accept that your daughter will do some touring without you and bring a book. Places like the Louvre will allow you to cut ahead of the line with your crutches, and you can find a spot to wait for your daughter for a couple of hours. Also ask for wheelchair assistance at the airport - this avoids standing in various line-ups. This MUST be requested in advance.

I was amazed at how courteous people were when I went to Europe a couple years ago with a wheelchair. As a matter of fact, we flew United, and when we flew into Frankfort, we did not request anything special. My husband was going to push our portable wheelchair. But, the airlines met us at the gate and escorted us in a cart all the way to the new gate. I was so impressed! People will be very helpful.

I don't have travel insurance and really hate the thought of changing our plans. Not so much for the money, but because our only time options with her school schedule would be the month of December or next summer. My own mind-set is that disabled people do this all the time, so there's no reason I can't do it as well. I feel fairly comfortable in the sight-seeing parts. I'm pretty sure the main attractions will be wheelchair accessible. Any that are not, I'm completely content to sit and wait while she goes. I'm a bit nervous on the transportation side of things: double-decker buses for sight-seeing, eurorail/train stations, metro. I think I'll take the advice to bring a wheelchair (with an extandable leg thing) as well as crutches, in case I need both at different times. I have one last question on this topic. We land in Brussels at 7:50am and leave on the Eurostar in to London at 12:30pm. I was nervous about time in customs and getting from the airport to the train station in time for the train. With the wheelchair, I'm going to take a taxi instead of trying the metro because I don't want to risk missing our train. Do you think that will still be enough time?

Good luck! Do come back and tell us how it went.

We land in Brussels at 7:50am and leave on the Eurostar in to London at 12:30pm Christa sorry to hear about your ouchy. I don't believe you need to taxi. You don't need to check in until (just before) noon. So you have 4 hours. Assuming you actually mean Brussels airport and not Ryanair-not-Brussels-Charleroi, 4 hours, even with a wheelchair and crutches should be a cake walk by train. They are real trains, not Métro, are 4 times an hour, and take about 20 minutes, stopping only at Nord, Central and your stop if Midi/Zuid. The trains leave from the -1 level. Here is a webpage from the airport about their facilities for handicapped passengers. You may need to hop up and down from the regional train but I am sure that you could easily have help from the train staff. Getting around Midi/Zuid would be equally straightforward. The checkin for Eurostar is on the level below the tracks so it is down from the regional train platform, check in at Eurostar then up to the track for that train. This is the Eurostar page about the Midi/Zuid Eurostar terminal. This page is the SNCB webpage with data for the station showing elevators and escalators, and free use of a wheelchair. The main bit of the station is a big area with corridors going off. Diagonally opposite Eurostar is a Quick, there is also a suoermarket.

Nigel-
Thanks so much! Yes, I meant Brussels airport just to the east of the city center. I knew 4 hours would be no problem getting from one place to the other normally, I just wasn't sure how long customs would take or how easily accessible the train/metro would be between the two.

The only two times I have broken bones were before European trips. Once, my right wrist and next my right ankle. It is amazing how quickly you can adapt. I did have a walking cast and did not need crutches, but my only caution is to be sure to drink lots of water and keep your foot elevated on the plane. On the way home (I was about 6 weeks into the injury) my ankle swelled considerably. And on a flight a few weeks after that the same thing happened, even tho I no longer had a cast. Something about the flying. With a cast you cannot sit in the exit row, but I would opt for the aisle seat as you can stretch your leg out a bit more when you need to. Its unfortunate that it happened at this particular time, but its probably better to be in Europe with your daughter and a cast than at home alone with a cast. Make the best of it and have a wonderful trip.

FYI: The double-decker sightseeing buses have seating on the lower level too.

Here's a map of Brussels-Midi/Zuid station; you can see Eurostar, Thalys, and TGV platforms, plus the others: http://www.b-europe.com/Travel/Practical/Station%20information/~/media/Files/Praktisch/Plattegronden/MAP_Brussel_En.ashx Sorry; I can't find the better map that shows shops and other facilitlies...arrggghh! Nor could I find a map on Nigel's link...perhaps it was under my nose ;-) Keep your foot up as much as possible (and iced, if ordered - bring several sturdy ziploc bags), and be very conservative in your activities especially the first few days. Wheelchairs are difficult while out-and-about, BUT many museums offer them for free (bring your drivers license as collateral). Take lots of cafe breaks! This is a great opportunity to Pack Extremely Lightly!!! You'll be amazed at just how little you really need!

Christa, so sorry for your injury. Good news is that you can, and will, recover from this. I know you don't want to hear this, however, I would postpone your trip. Getting around any large city no matter where it is, would be difficult in your situation. I can't recall seeing anyone on the metro walking with crutches or in a wheelchair. You have to be able to move fast and get out of the way of others. The only other way would be the bus or a taxi. If and when you go, please be careful. Take your medical info with you just in case you need to seek medical assistance on your trip.

As I had mentioned, several years ago we traveled to Europe with a wheelchair. I also had crutches. I had a choice of not going (and postponing for a year) or going and doing the best I could. We went. It wasn't the trip I would have wanted, but it definitely worked, and we had a good time. We were in Sweden, and it appeared it would be hard to get wheelchairs at various sites there, so we took our own - a lightweight one with larger wheels to make it easier to go over uneven pavement. I used the crutches to get up stairs, etc. and for longer distances I was in the wheelchair. The airline did give us the bulkhead when we checked in - which helped a lot. We just had to ask and were directed to elevators in most of the spots we visited.

Hi Christa, Sorry to hear about your accident. It appears from one of your posts that you have decided to try this trip with a wheelchair. Having undergone surgery that involved foot bones being surgically broken and repositioned I will strongly advocate for passing on this trip. Please for the sake of a full and proper recovery ensure that you understand what your doctor means by keeping the foot elevated. I had to keep mine above heart level to deal with the swelling which lasted for months. Your doctor has already expressed concerns about you being on an airplane.
Be sure that you fully understand the risks to your long term recovery.

So sorry Christa, and I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I really think you should postpone. I think there will be more walking and transportation complications than you can imagine. There will just not be the level of handicap-friendly situations we expect in the US. Something else to consider, and I'm speaking from experience as an ex-pat who had a major orthopedic injury while living in Europe, if you do experience complications and do find yourself in a foreign healthcare system, (trying not to make negative value judgment here) it's likely to be a completely different experience than what you've known in the US, especially if it's in a non-English speaking country. It's just not fun when every outing is a major mobility problem, especially not if you are hurting. Just consider how much more fun this trip will be when you are in good shape.

Well, I already voted on the side of postponing, based on my own experiences, but I have to speak up for European health care. I had excellent care in Switzerland when I broke my wrist there, including an overnight in the hospital - yes, it was a mini-ward (six people), but well laid out. And France is considered by many to have the best health care system in the world.

I do have to speak out about two issues that you should also check out BEFORE you leave: 1. Foot injuries and the increased risk of DVTs (blood clots) for the flight over and back that one only your own doctor can advise about. Read the other thread about this titled "Clots":
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/71857/clots.html 2. Most travel insurance will NOT cover you for complications arising from an existing condition. So, take the list of risks your doctor advises you about and check if your insurance covers each one of them. The health care in Europe is good, less expensive than in the US generally, but still costly if you run into trouble that is uninsured...

I would strongly consider postponing the trip. The blood clot issue is a serious concern. We recently returned from a three week trip to Europe and did an incredible amount of walking and climbing steps and footpaths. As another poster said, there is so much walking within the metro stations-many stairs to deal with. There are some hilly areas in Rome-the city built on seven hills. Lots of cobblestones in Europe.

I just got back from 2 months of travel in Europe, six countries, and after using trains, buses, taxi, I can't imagine doing all of that from a wheel chair or with crutches. It's very tiring to be out sightseeing. I ended up sick in Belgium and in excruciating pain. Used the medical system there which was excellent and cost me less than my co pay back home! Very impressed. Anyway, I understand the disappointment of canceling the trip, but after having knee surgery 6 years ago for torn ligament that was so bad, I had to use a wheel chair for 2 months, I can't imagine this trip to the cities you mentioned. My first flight after the knee healed (according to the doctor) was about 5 months later, and my knee had swollen so much that I had to use scissors to get out of my pants! Be very careful, and think this out carefully. Speak with several doctors, and also your daughter. Can you reconsider the destination and maybe do a cruise? I know it's heartbreaking, but to travel and cause more pain and suffering, and stress on your daughter so far away from home might not be a
good idea. This being said, if you feel that there is no way you will cancel, then I wish you the best and hope you both a safe journey.

I just found some smaller easily packable instant icepacks at REI for when ice is not available. If you go - best wishes.

A note about travel insurance. I always buy the plan that allows for cancellation for any reason. It costs a few dollars more. You don't get all of your money back but I believe you get most of it. While Europe has become more sensitive to disabled accommodations, there is no ADA. The level of wheelchair access there is not the same. I've been in elevators that were barely big enough for 2 people and a wheelchair would have no chance. Cobble stones are tough on your knees even when you're at 100%. If I were in your situation, I would consider postponing the trip.

Brad's right about the level of accessibility for wheelchairs, and the cobblestones, missing curb cuts on many street corners, broken elevators and escalators in Metro stations (not to mention unexpected stairwells to climb up or down to transfer subway lines) and really crowded buses make it harder still. Taxis are really the best way to get around if you move forward with this trip. I had to go to Europe one time 2 months after I had fractured both my ankles in an accident. I only needed to wear braces and had already completed some physical therapy prior to the trip, but my ankles hurt a lot by the end of the day and were very swollen. What you describe sounds way more painful than what I had. Personally, I'd go by whatever the doctor treating you recommends. Not by what strangers on a Helpline think you should do.