Traveling with a Cast

Annaliese, Ask your doctor if you can be fitted with a "walking cast"not sure of the exact term. When my son fractured his ankle that's the type cast he was able to use and it eliminated the need for crutches. It will still not be as easy for you to get around, but at least you won't be hauling crutches everywhere too. Good luck!

This is an exact duplicate of the previous question.

Get an Economy Plus or Business Class seat. You will need more leg room. I assume your knee bends, so that makes it possible to get around with a cane or crutch. Try a few devices to see what works best. Since you are young, and presumably in good physical condition, your cast may not slow you down much, especially if it is a "walking cast." Ask others for medical advice. If you are traveling with friends, ask someone to be near you while you are moving around in case you fall or need help. You will want to avoid stairs when possible. Some of the Tube stations are marked "wheelchair accessible." They will have elevators and be easier to use. Buses are an option, too. Just a couple of stairs getting in, and then you can sit. Try to find a hotel with an elevator. Many British hotels do not have elevators. You can get wheelchair transportation to your airline's gate when leaving the USA, and upon arrival in Europe you can ask for a wheelchair upon arrival. If you arrive at Heathrow, it's a long hike to passport control and on through the airport. I think there are escalators down to the train or Tube levels.

"...Get an Economy Plus or Business Class seat..." Cheaper bulk-head sets would probably help as well.

On United Airlines, it seems that you need Economy Plus to get a bulkhead seat. The bulkhead seats come with less room for carry-ons, including under-seat space (none). And small children are often placed there. But, there is plenty of leg-foot room in these seats.

On Continental bulkhead seats are available in standard economy with a reasonable surcharges (anywhere from $50-$100) at time of booking. But of course they will be in the final stages of merging with United in 2012; so I guess Ecomomy Plus will prevail.

Check with the airline for any restrictions/requirements on flying with a leg cast. You may need a letter from your doctor that you are medically fit to fly.

The type of cast you get depends on the kind of break you have. It's not up to the patient's discretion or request. When I broke mine, I was absolutely not to put weight on it for 6-8 weeks. Crutches are going to be a pain, but it will get easier as you build up arm strength. The flight is not going to be easy without being able to elevate the leg. A bulkhead seat would seem to be your best option. Then you could prop your leg on a carryon bag.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I was able to call the airline we are flying with (US Airways) and they were able to arrange wheelchair transport at the airport and moved my parents and I to bulkhead seats at no extra charge. I will definitely ask about a walking cast when I go in to get my permanent cast this week. Also, I know a lot of museums and tourist sites have wheelchairs that one can rent. I was wondering if anyone had experience getting around from point to point on crutches. Should I even attempt the tube, or just take taxis from each site? I know some stations are wheelchair assessable, but most are not. I'll be able to handle the odd step, but not staircase after staircase. Thanks again for all your input! Annaliese

Most of the Tube stations we used have a few short flights of steps to change a level. If there is a greater distance there are usually escalators or elevators. I don't recall that we ever had to use flights of more than 5 or 6 steps at a time-m at least on regularly. However, many of the escalators are very long (some cover the equivalent of 3 or 4 stories at a time). I think you can check the London transport website to find info about specific stations.

Annaliese... I know what a pain it will be, but you can be in a cast in Europe or a cast at home. I traveled to Europe a few years ago with a cast as I had also broken my ankle. My cast (fortunately ) was a walking cast and I did not need crutches. I just had to take it slow. I would definitely suggest moving about the plane and keeping your leg elevated. Mine was fine on the way over, but on the way home when I got off the plane my leg had swollen considerably, and it did that on a few flights even after I got the cast off. I am somewhat claustrophobic so my doctor did give me a cast that was not plaster but fit on with velcro straps so I could loosen it a bit. (I had problems with a cast on my arm a few years earlier...it really bothered my skin) Just be sure you have someplace to go in case you have trouble with the cast or swelling.

Hello Annaliese. My sympathies to you for your having a fractured ankle and leg. If I were on two crutches, in London I would not ride in a LONDON UNDERGROUND train. I would ride in Taxi cars. I was in London, in October of this year. Those underground trains and underground train stations are very crowded with people. You might not find a seat to sit on in an underground train. And, passengers must exit quickly from a LONDON UNDERGROUND train car. At some of those trains' stations, the train is stopped there for 30 seconds, and the door closes, and the train moves forward. Are you certain that canceling the trip is not an option ? Usually, people having airline tickets can cancel an airline reservation, and receive credit for some of the money that was spent for the airline tickets. The amount of money that you spent, minus a fee of $250., can be used for acquiring new airline tickets, for flights at any time during the next 12 months. If you tell the airline that you have a broken ankle and leg bone, they might waive the fee for changing your tickets. I once changed an airline flight date, and the airline did not impose a fee for that, when I showed an airline manager, at an airport, a note written by a physician saying I had a minor condition, and he recommended that I do not travel at that time.

Some people are very good on crutches. Have you tried them? The problem is that both hands are needed. You could carry a small backpack while using them. I really don't think you should count on crutches for more than short distances.

Annaliese, most of the tube stations in central London have some steps. I think that learning to use the bus would work better for you. Find out what bus routes are near your hotel. Use a combo of buses and taxis. Where are you staying?

Once again, thank you all for your words of advice. I have used crutches many times over the years (I used to play soccer and need crutches at least once a season), but they definitely are a pain to use. Terry, I am going to ask about a walking cast when I go to see my doctor this week. I agree with you--I would rather be in a cast in England than at home. Laura, I will most definitely become well versed in the bus routes. I used both the tube and buses when I was in London this summer for a week, and the buses sound like they will be a lot easier to navigate. We are staying in Bloomsbury near the British Museum, so luckily we are very close to all the sights. I am also considering renting a wheelchair and using that in addition to crutches. I know that a lot of the sights have wheelchairs available for rental, but it might be a lot easier to have a wheelchair or a knee scooter just for walking around. Thanks again for all the input! Annaliese