 Poster: A snowHead
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New snowhead here, although I have been lurking for quite a while.
We were about to go away skiing for half term and now my husband has his leg in plaster as he has ruptured his achilles tendon.We are going to Soldeu, Andorra and at the moment there is not very good snow so none laying in the village (some snow is forecast!. We have been there several times before, know the village well and are staying right in the middle. We have a 10 year old and are also going with another family, so have help/company.
Would it be complete madness to still go away with him using crutches? And if we do go has anyone one any hints or tips for him.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@funnyfeet, welcome to snowheads, sorry to hear about your husbands injury. It wouldn't be complete madness, but need to be prepared for snow - e.g. not the rubber ferrules. Is he weight bearing? If not then I think it would be tricky but depends on how confident he is. Is there a lift in your accommodation? If not is he ok on stairs? Will he be covered on travel insurance? Is he cleared to travel?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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He is not weight bearing and only was put in plaster yesterday, so not much practice yet. Doctor said it was up to us, so I suppose he is cleared to travel. There is supposed to be lift, but new accommodation for us, so I don't know what it's like.
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if he's fit and has a decent grasp already of using crutches then he should be fine. I'd recommend going to the pharmacy as a first port of call to get some of the crampon attachments though. You don't want to wait until there snow and ice on the floor first before going to get them.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@funnyfeet, having been on crutches non weight beating I would say give it a few days and see how he feels.personally I wouldn't have crutched around outside if there was risk of snow but I'm a wuss. You might be able to borrow a wheelchair in resort.
Are you driving? That's not going to be easy either. If flying book a wheelchair and assistance. Much easier
You must inform your insurance.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I would check whether your travel insurance will cover your husband for travel. It could be difficult if your husband was to slip and injure himself and the insurance company refuse payment because they consider he had a non-declared pre-existing condition.
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Not that much fun I'd have thought though obviously plenty of people do hop around on crutches due to injuries incurred once in resort. It's travel I'd be concerned about - how do you even get in a plane seat without special arrangements & your insurance company is unlikely to pay for those for injuries sustained prior to outbound travel. Plus DVT risk & all from an immobilised limb. If he can manage at home on his own it sounds like you've enough of a group to be ok with your son. At least he can probably get stuck into a box set marathon and have access to takeaway deliveries at home (with appropriate stretching breaks).
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@Dave of the Marmottes, I was about to say the same thing. Equip him with a bag round his neck for carrying stuff about, a chair in the kitchen and a stool in the bathroom.....
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@funnyfeet, s above, if he's in plaster, isn't he going to need two seats? He wouldn't be allowed in one of the over-wing extra legroom spaces, so I would suggest your first call needs to be your insurers to be certain they will cover him to travel
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above knee or below knee cast will also have an affect on mobility and comfort
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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It would drive me mad to be in resort and not be able to get around freely.
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If you need two seats for an existing injury surely it wouldn't be covered by your holiday insurance anyway? As the injury didn't happen on holiday, it would be your own choice to travel and pay for the extra seating required. Airlines are funny about people travelling in full casts too in case limbs swell,but that is usually just immediately after the injury happens.
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You know it makes sense.
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Just been to Alleghe in Italy, and due to balance problems, have not been able to ski. I am able to walk with a stick however, and walked around the lake every day. There was no snow in the village, so no problems with falling. I also went up on the gondola to the piste, had a drink and watched the skiers. I was envious, but not bored, as I met up with friends for apres ski, and of course dinner in the hotel. The atmosphere of just being up in the mountains was fantastic. My situation is different from your husband, but if he is cleared by doctors and insurance to go, he should go. My opinion only - good luck.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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MrsJ did her Achilles a few years ago - two weeks before we were due to go to Canada. She did consider going anyway, for all of two minutes before realising it would be a total nightmare. You are totally non weigh bearing first least two weeks. Using crutches is actually really hard work, even round the house. Little things like carrying a cup of tea is impossible as your hands are needed for the crutches. In reality I suspect your husband would be pretty much confined to the hotel for the stay. Not wanting to be too much of a downer but my experience is that your husband would also struggle at home alone for a week as well, which is why I didn't go either. It's a bug, that's for sure
MrsJs consultant totally agreed she couldn't go (also dvt risk from flight) and filled in all the forms for the insurance. No quibbles from them at all and we got all the money back for both of us.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Have checked with BA and we don't need a special seating as only lower leg cast.
Don't think I could leave him alone for the week. There is only one takeaway that delivers here and of course he can't drive. That was our daughters least favorite option, so it is probably all go or all stay. When I said that there would be company there, I meant more for him as someone is sure to come back early and then i can carry on skiing without feeling guilty!
Haven't contacted the insurer yet as we felt we should be more sure of the line we wanted to take first.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@funnyfeet, if you do go, think about the bathroom.... he will not be able to shower or bathe so will be wanting strip washes and will need to sit down for that. If you haven't figured it out yet..and I mentioned it above...he will need a stool to sit at the sink, even just for cleaning teeth as it's very tiring standing on one leg while you use both hands to faff about. You could ask your accommodation to supply one, or take a fold away with you.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Well it's his call. Personally I'd probably opt for "Ivanna be alone" in his circumstances and wave you off cheerily with Skype/facetime calls rather than a dull half term for everyone. But I'd probably want a mate or neighbour around I could buzz if I needed help and a freezer full of meals with a microwave. Maybe even with a bed moved downstairs if possible.
BTW I've been very good I haven't even asked if he was trying to pick up a 2 Euro coin when he did it 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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He was playing squash -to get fit for skiing!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Dave of the Marmottes, +1. I've done my Achilles and it is not fun. I cannot imagine schlepping around a resort. If I were him, I'd get in a load of microwave meals, a barrel of beer, a subscription to Sky Movies and send you on your way.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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MrsJ did hers playing tennis trying to get ski fit!! Is he having surgery or conservative treatment. That might affect your decision. Bear in mind he is likely to have frequent appt etc in the first couple of weeks.
Let me know if you need any more info - been there done that!!
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I had a similar problem, ruptured my achilles after booking a ski holiday with my (young) kids. I had no choice but to travel as they would have lynched me if I had canceled. The plaster came off days before I flew. The surgeon offered to bandage it back on if I felt more secure traveling, but I felt OK. I still needed crutches but managed OK, even when my youngest forgot her gloves and I had to scuttle back to get them in a hurry. I did consider standing outside a ski-hire shop whilst they skied and offering to move if they paid me!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Does BA stipulate about a split in the cast to allow for swelling during flight. Think this is the case for flights over a certain time scale. Maybe worth checking.
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@funnyfeet, I'd second the suggestion for the crampons to fit to his crutches - they were fantastic when I tore my ACL. As for showering, can he not truss his plaster up in clingflim? I'm sure he'd prefer to be there with you all - what does he think?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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personally I wouldn't have crutched around outside if there was risk of snow but I'm a wuss.
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Me too. On the other hand I coped alone in my apartment - but it was all on one level, and very small, so I could place a coffee table so I could move a cup of tea from the "kitchen" to the dining table, then the dining table to the coffee table, and from there to the table beside my chair. I could also go to the loo and get into the shower. I had no plaster - had fractured pelvis so needed crutches as I couldn't bear weight on the side of the fracture. Getting in an out of bed to go to the loo in the night was a protracted process. And I did have friends in a nearby apartment who I could call in a real emergency. I wasn't bored but definitely was scared of going outside on snowy paths and was pretty hopeless on stairs. Because my injury wasn't plastered or immobilised it was very painful if I made a mistake, or the crutch slipped.
In your husband's situation I'd have preferred to stay at home, provided I had some kind of back up at the end of a telephone. I wasn't bored because I had lots of books, a laptop with the internet and Freesat TV. All within reach of a comfortable chair with a footstool. I could also do some cooking (soups etc, pasta and sauce) which didn't involve too much standing on one leg. But in a hotel room, upstairs, with possibly a schlep to stairs/lifts etc? And no chance of fixing myself a cup of tea, or a gin and tonic? No thanks.
But surely better, if your insurance will cover cancellation, to all stay home and have a holiday later?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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When I had a lower leg bandage which couldn't get wet (varicose vein op) I had no problem bathing, with the relevant leg hung over the edge of the bath.
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I've done it several times unfortunately once including leading a group of 80 students who would have lynched me if I'd cancelled. If he is fit then he has time to get used to the crutches before going. He may also be in a vacuum boot by then as well which will allow him to partially weight-bear at least. When I am on crutches most people are gasping for air as they try and keep up with me, regardless of the surface. But then I have had lots of practice.
Make sure he has or switches to forearm crutches, the under arm (I.e. In the arm pits) are a pain in the @rse. Bathing, showering and all the other daily niggles can be sorted out easily with a bit of ingenuity and stubbornness!
Do get the all-clear to travel from his specialist otherwise if he has another accident it could cause problems both with the current injury and any new one(s). If he has a written all clear the insurance company cannot refuse treatment. They'll try of course but ultimately they will have to cough up.
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You know it makes sense.
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If he has a written all clear the insurance company cannot refuse treatment.
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Is that really the case? Insurance companies can decline to cover pre-existing conditions which might not stop the patient travelling. We have a friend coming on a ski holiday at Easter who is being treated for a very rare brain tumour. She cannot walk unaided at the moment and won't be skiing, but the family (her husband is a GP) are still hoping to come. She has been told it's OK to fly but I'd suspect she wouldn't get travel insurance for any problem associated with the tumour (for example if her dodgy balance meant she slipped on a pavement). My OH's doctor said he was fine to go skiing, because he was no more likely to drop dead in France than in the UK (and no less likely, either). But there was no question of his being covered by the insurance company. Well, not for any sensible sum of money.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@pam w, if they have accepted the risk and everything is declared and supported in writing they cannot refuse. They can refuse if someone takes advantage of the situation to get further or better treatment of a pre-existing condition. That is not to say that they don't try (the UK ones that is). I've never had to declare any of my previous injuries and have always been covered as any new or repeat injuries have occurred during activity approved by my surgeons. But here in Germany the regulators are not such toothless entities, nor biased towards the insurance companies.
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Poster: A snowHead
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if they have accepted the risk and everything is declared and supported in writing they cannot refuse
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no, sure thing. I was just pointing out that just because the patient was cleared to fly, or ski, or whatever by his own personal doctors, that didn't put the insurance company under any obligation to accept the risk.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If he's being treated conservatively then probably wont be weight bearing for a long time depending on severity of rupture. Get forearm crutches. Get big condom type thing for lower leg for bathing and showering. Knitting needle for itchy leg. If he has well developed calf muscles then one possible problem may be muscle wastage leading to Plaster needing to be replaced after a week or so.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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DO NOT GET A KNITTING NEEDLE!!
Sorry for the caps/shouting but this needs emphasising. The one disaster with Achilles ruptures (esp if surgically repaired) is infection. The surgeons were paranoid about infection in MrsJ leg - the Achilles' tendon has a poor blood supply so is vulnerable. Putting anything down the cast risks scratching or cutting the skin and introducing infection. And of course under a cast it can go unnoticed a long time.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@TommyJ, ok. Good point. Especially if surgically repaired. You don't want to go prodding around with stitches.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My daughter in law had a line into her arm for several months, for chemotherapy. They gave her a double ended condom thing for it, which worked fine for showering.
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I did my Achilles whilst dancing energetically (I was tired and emotional!!).
Lower limb was in plaster for two weeks, but as I was going on summer holiday to Croatia specialist put foot in large black boot which,whilst still on crutches, allowed me to take it off to swim.
Whilst in plaster I used a "Limbo" which was basically a long plastic sheath (like a condom) which had a neoprene seal (!!) above the knee. This made showering relatively easy.
I,m a swimmer so when in Croatia I swam every day with a pool bouy between my legs.I would take my boot off with the Velcro straps and shuffle on my bum into the water..not very elegant!!
However my point (yawn) is,if you can swim front crawl then try to swim each day as it helps circulation and healing process.My boot had been due to be on for 4 months,however after my holiday the specialist was truly amazed,as due to the swimming it reduced my boot time to only 1 month.
Good luck with rehab.I was able fly with normal aisle seat (not sure about rules with plaster though)It,s a very frustrating time, but keep smiling.
Please feel free to PM me if you need a chat with a former sufferer!! 
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@funnyfeet,
Feel sorry for your hubby.
I wouldn't rule out going skiing and enjoying it though.
I had a fairly minor injury a couple of years ago when skiing on first day of holiday which left me hobbling and unable to ski, less serious than crutches though.
With the aid of my kindle I still had an enjoyable enough time of it, meeting up with the others at lunch and listening to their tales, good break in the mountain air. Not the same as being able to ski or walk around properly though.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Limbo - that's the one. It was a godsend
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| dobby wrote: |
| Limbo - that's the one. It was a godsend |
+1 much better than a bin bag and duct tape! We also put a plastic garden chair in the shower for me to sit on. I had the elbow crutches they gave me in Austria, and I declined the armpit ones the NHS offered me when I got home as I found the elbow ones much more manoeuvrable, but a pair of padded cycle gloves were invaluable in preventing blistering/wear and tear on the hands.
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