quiltedbrain
Full Member
Posts: 429
Jun 26, 2014 3:34:53 GMT
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Post by quiltedbrain on Nov 17, 2017 20:03:28 GMT
My DD fell while ice skating last Saturday and broke her leg in 2 places near her ankle joint. She had surgery on Wednesday and is currently in a splint. She should be getting a cast next Wednesday if all is healing well. I thought I'd call on the vast knowledge of the Peas to see if anyone can offer tips to help make her recovery time any easier.
The orthopedist office said she can shower if we cover her leg in a trash bag. I've been using medical tape to seal it around her knee...is this the best way to go about it? We live in an upstairs apartment over our garage. She's not felt ready to tackle the stairs on crutches yet and is going up and down them on her bottom. Is there a special technique for navigating stairs on crutches?
They also offered to order her a knee roller to use at school. Any experience with if this would be a better option than using her crutches?
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Post by ntsf on Nov 17, 2017 20:14:36 GMT
they should have had a physical therapist teach her how to use crutches on stairs before left hospital (my dh still gets that lesson.. after 7 years on crutches).. it is not hard. what you want to use to take a shower is glad press and seal.. put the leg in a bag, use press and seal around the top.. and finish off with medical tape if you wish.. but the press and seal around the leg a couple of times will keep it dry. you should insist someone show her how to handle stairs.
plan to keep her leg elevated as much as possible..so whenever she is sitting.. try to elevate.. add an extra chair if possible with pillow next to school desk. have her get permission to leave class 5 min early and arrive late if necessary. if school gives you any hassle, ask for 504 plan. so she has continuing full access to education.
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Post by MichyM on Nov 17, 2017 20:23:05 GMT
I just became weight bearing on Wednesday after 6 1/2 weeks in a cast. Now using an ankle splint and start PT on Monday.
1. Order a cast cover from Amazon. It's $9 and will make showering sooooo much easier! They have them available in Prime Now, so I was able to get mine in a couple of hours.
2. Crutches + stairs = danger. I never used mine on the stairs, choosing to go down in my butt and up on my knees.
3. Get the knee scooter. Game changer.
4. Agree with elevating the leg as much as possible. The first 4 days after surgery I was leg above my heart almost nonstop. After that elevate elevate elevate as much as possible. I think it really helped with the pain.
Holler if you have other questions!
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Post by ntsf on Nov 17, 2017 20:26:18 GMT
I think on your butt in a public place would be gross and actually not that safe at school. learn to go up and down stairs. key is to hold onto handrail, move one thing at a time. (crutches or foot.. ). have a backpack for everything.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 19:06:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2017 20:26:52 GMT
I just became weight bearing on Wednesday after 6 1/2 weeks in a cast. Now using an ankle splint and start PT on Monday. 1. Order a cast cover from Amazon. It's $9 and will make showering sooooo much easier! They have them available in Prime Now, so I was able to get mine in a couple of hours.
2. Crutches + stairs = danger. I never used mine on the stairs, choosing to go down in my butt and up on my knees.
3. Get the knee scooter. Game changer.
4. Agree with elevating the leg as much as possible. The first 4 days after surgery I was leg above my heart almost nonstop. After that elevate elevate elevate as much as possible. I think it really helped with the pain. Holler if you have other questions! I second all of this. I had surgery last November and was non weight bearing for 8 weeks. It also helped to have a bar next to the toilet to hang onto when needed. |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Nov 17, 2017 20:32:48 GMT
The cast covers are definitely worth the money!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 19:06:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2017 20:40:30 GMT
When dd was in a foot and leg cast (up to her knee), I used a long beach towel and then hefty trash bag to cover her cast. I was able to get a better seal than then cover. I also put a plastic outdoor chair and plastic foot rest in the tub. She was able to bath herself most of the way.
She would sit on a towel that was on the chair and then I covered her cast, ran the water and she took her bath.
I also second the knee scooter. Crutches suck. And hurt after while.
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quiltedbrain
Full Member
Posts: 429
Jun 26, 2014 3:34:53 GMT
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Post by quiltedbrain on Nov 17, 2017 20:53:06 GMT
Thank you all so much!!! I knew the Peas would have helpful info!
So we will definitely take them up on the knee roller, but I will also ask them to train her on crutches and stairs when we go in for her cast. Her school has an elevator which she will be given a pass for, so hopefully we can minimize her interactions with stairs.
We have a stool she can use in the shower, but I will add a towel to it as well. And now I'm off to Amazon to search for cast covers...I had no idea there was such a thing.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 19:06:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2017 21:06:01 GMT
A hair dryer will be her best friend.
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Post by birdy on Nov 17, 2017 21:06:30 GMT
When DH had his knee replacement, we bought a cast cover at a local medical supply store - so much easier than the garbage bag.
The pt taught him to go up the steps backwards on his crutches and it turned out to be easier for him to do. He came down regular way but the first few days I went down in front of him in case he stumbled.
At school, maybe they'll let her leave class a minute or 2 early to head to the next class. Also, maybe someone in class to go with her to help carry stuff and navigate steps, etc.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Nov 17, 2017 21:09:49 GMT
The cast covers are definitely worth the money! I agree about the cast cover. I had surgery on my foot and it worked like a charm. It came up to just below my knee. |
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Post by FrozenPea on Nov 17, 2017 21:17:37 GMT
I just became weight bearing on Wednesday after 6 1/2 weeks in a cast. Now using an ankle splint and start PT on Monday. 1. Order a cast cover from Amazon. It's $9 and will make showering sooooo much easier! They have them available in Prime Now, so I was able to get mine in a couple of hours. 2. Crutches + stairs = danger. I never used mine on the stairs, choosing to go down in my butt and up on my knees. 3. Get the knee scooter. Game changer. 4. Agree with elevating the leg as much as possible. The first 4 days after surgery I was leg above my heart almost nonstop. After that elevate elevate elevate as much as possible. I think it really helped with the pain. Holler if you have other questions! Everything said here!!!! I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks this summer due to achilles rupture and 2 surgeries on it. I also had a shower chair and dh put a grab handle up in the bathroom for me. Made it easier to get up off the toilet. The other thing I loved, even though the scooter had a basket, was a neck pouch for my cell phone. I used my neck pouch for my passport, it fit great. ALso if she gets put into a walking boot clorox wipes will be your friend. I would wipe down the bottom of the boot before getting in bed. My dr also suggested putting my foot in a pillowcase to keep my sheets clean. Hope she feels better soon! |
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Post by hennybutton on Nov 17, 2017 21:29:00 GMT
Ask for a physical therapist to do the stair training. She should practice on real stairs under supervision. They can even send a therapist to your home.
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Post by oliquig on Nov 17, 2017 21:37:12 GMT
The hair dryer is for itching. Don't try to stick anything down the cast to scratch, she could hurt herself. Just run a hair dryer over the area that's itchy. It's usually caused by moisture built up under the cast, and that dried it out.
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Post by shamrock on Nov 17, 2017 21:53:25 GMT
If she has a lot to carry at school you might ask for a para or classmate to help her carry things. You don't want her to have a heavy backpack throwing her balance off while she's trying to navigate with crutches.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 18, 2017 5:28:09 GMT
I just became weight bearing on Wednesday after 6 1/2 weeks in a cast. Now using an ankle splint and start PT on Monday. 1. Order a cast cover from Amazon. It's $9 and will make showering sooooo much easier! They have them available in Prime Now, so I was able to get mine in a couple of hours. 2. Crutches + stairs = danger. I never used mine on the stairs, choosing to go down in my butt and up on my knees. 3. Get the knee scooter. Game changer. 4. Agree with elevating the leg as much as possible. The first 4 days after surgery I was leg above my heart almost nonstop. After that elevate elevate elevate as much as possible. I think it really helped with the pain. Holler if you have other questions! What she said! ^^^ BTDT too. I kept my foot elevated as much as possible and it really does help with the pain. I was told to ice my ankle for 20 minutes per hour and that helped a lot too. |
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 18, 2017 5:35:15 GMT
I think on your butt in a public place would be gross and actually not that safe at school. learn to go up and down stairs. key is to hold onto handrail, move one thing at a time. (crutches or foot.. ). have a backpack for everything. Hopefully there could be access to an elevator at school if needed. Can you get her a 504 for school? They are for things like this. |
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Post by nlwilkins on Nov 18, 2017 7:10:14 GMT
If the school is two stories or more, they should have elevators. She should be able to get permission to use the elevators while on crutches. It would be so much safer and easier for her. I shudder at the possibility of her on stairs during class change with all the students around her going up and down. Just don't do it - if no elevator then other plans should be made to keep her off the stair at school.
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,059 
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Post by AllieC on Nov 18, 2017 7:10:37 GMT
Crutches are very easy on stairs if you get it right. I got taught this "up to heaven, down to hell" LOL. Meaning that the crutches go up first when going up stairs then you pull your leg up, and crutches go down first then bring your leg down. Never had an issue doing it this way.
I really hope that she does ok.
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