traveling on a broken foot!
Jul 8th, 2006, 01:42 AM
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traveling on a broken foot!
Lucky me! I just broke my toe, and we're leaving for a wonderful trip to Italy in two days (Florence, Tuscany, Rome and Sorrento.) I could use some advice on "adjustments" which might help make our itinerary work.
Jul 8th, 2006, 02:20 AM
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The Slow Travel website, I believe, has trip reports from a number of people who broke their legs or sprained their ankles at the start of trips. You might ask over there as well for help.
I suggest you immediately investigate renting a collapsible wheelchair. Italy is notoriously one of the least "accessible" destinations. You will still need to use crutches to get up the many stairs you will encounter, but having a wheelchair will be a respite and a big help on flat stretches and inside churches, museums, and in airports and train stations.
Were you planning on seeing the Amalfi coast from Sorrento? Hire a driver and have them take you to Ravello, which is flat on top. You'll see the other high points of the coast on the drive there and back.
I suggest you immediately investigate renting a collapsible wheelchair. Italy is notoriously one of the least "accessible" destinations. You will still need to use crutches to get up the many stairs you will encounter, but having a wheelchair will be a respite and a big help on flat stretches and inside churches, museums, and in airports and train stations.
Were you planning on seeing the Amalfi coast from Sorrento? Hire a driver and have them take you to Ravello, which is flat on top. You'll see the other high points of the coast on the drive there and back.
Jul 8th, 2006, 07:27 AM
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Well, I can't help with Italy or your itinerary, but I have some experience with broken toes (and traveling with really bad feet). Which toe is it, and do you have a splint? If not, the most important thing for a broken toe is to wear shoes with rigid soles, so your toe doesn't need to do much 'work'. Be sure to elevate it when you can.
One concern will be the airplane trip and additional swelling. Try to elevate it, and walk around the cabin frequently to keep your circulation up. Also keep well hydrated.
You might be surprised at how fast it will improve. And you'll have a great excuse to sit in the piazza and soak in the ambience.
One concern will be the airplane trip and additional swelling. Try to elevate it, and walk around the cabin frequently to keep your circulation up. Also keep well hydrated.
You might be surprised at how fast it will improve. And you'll have a great excuse to sit in the piazza and soak in the ambience.
Jul 8th, 2006, 08:41 AM
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Hi Marg,
I fell down a step going into a shop in Positano last year and tore the ligaments in my ankle.
I rested for about a day and then caried on as near normal as possible - even managed the footpaths of Pompei.
Swelling was a problem due to the heat and my injury.
What I found helpful:
When you get back to your hotel from sightseeing ask for some ice and make an icepack which helps reduce the swelling.
I bought a rolled up umbrella and used it as a walking stick when walking and a sun shield when sitting.
Make sure you have good support and as mentioned above footwear with a rigid sole.
I took anti-inflamitaries which helped
Most importantly don't let it stop you doing all the things you intended (albeit at a slower pace) and you will find the Italians extememly helpful - they will give up their seat for you on buses - that was my experience.
Lastly if you need to see a doctor about it do it before you reach Sorrento as the hospital there is horrendous!
Helen
I fell down a step going into a shop in Positano last year and tore the ligaments in my ankle.
I rested for about a day and then caried on as near normal as possible - even managed the footpaths of Pompei.
Swelling was a problem due to the heat and my injury.
What I found helpful:
When you get back to your hotel from sightseeing ask for some ice and make an icepack which helps reduce the swelling.
I bought a rolled up umbrella and used it as a walking stick when walking and a sun shield when sitting.
Make sure you have good support and as mentioned above footwear with a rigid sole.
I took anti-inflamitaries which helped
Most importantly don't let it stop you doing all the things you intended (albeit at a slower pace) and you will find the Italians extememly helpful - they will give up their seat for you on buses - that was my experience.
Lastly if you need to see a doctor about it do it before you reach Sorrento as the hospital there is horrendous!
Helen
Jul 8th, 2006, 08:51 AM
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That happened to me in 2002!!!! 1 week before my trip, I had just finished all my confirmation emails, was exstatic, swung around in my office chair, hit my left foot on my CD rack, and busted my pinky toe!!!! 
Called expedia, had a horrible time rescheduling my flights, etc, and left a week later than planned.
By the time my trip came, I was OK. Wore rigid soled backless shoes (with a large toe box), and was fine. While exiting a tram one day, a woman stepped on my shoes & ripped the side off!! LOL! I hobbled to the shoemaker & he sewed them back up for $3. Luckily, a catastrophie was averted!
Another factor that proved to be a greater challenge than originally planned was the great Prague flood of 2002! I ended up walking WAY more than planned, but survived alright.
I would say bring plenty of medical tape, so you can buddy splint your toes together. If you have a fridge in your room, keep cold compresses in there, so you can keep returning to the room & ice down every few hours. You can also use a cold can of soda to ice your foot.
Just prop your leg up whenever possible.
Hey, the worst I've ever seen was when my youth orchestra took a trip to China, and a chick BROKE her LEG while doing tai chi in the park! She went to the hospital in Tianjin, they set her leg, and she continued on the trip for 3 more weeks!! If she can do it, YOU can! Good luck!!
Called expedia, had a horrible time rescheduling my flights, etc, and left a week later than planned.
By the time my trip came, I was OK. Wore rigid soled backless shoes (with a large toe box), and was fine. While exiting a tram one day, a woman stepped on my shoes & ripped the side off!! LOL! I hobbled to the shoemaker & he sewed them back up for $3. Luckily, a catastrophie was averted!
Another factor that proved to be a greater challenge than originally planned was the great Prague flood of 2002! I ended up walking WAY more than planned, but survived alright.
I would say bring plenty of medical tape, so you can buddy splint your toes together. If you have a fridge in your room, keep cold compresses in there, so you can keep returning to the room & ice down every few hours. You can also use a cold can of soda to ice your foot.
Just prop your leg up whenever possible.
Hey, the worst I've ever seen was when my youth orchestra took a trip to China, and a chick BROKE her LEG while doing tai chi in the park! She went to the hospital in Tianjin, they set her leg, and she continued on the trip for 3 more weeks!! If she can do it, YOU can! Good luck!!
Jul 8th, 2006, 08:54 AM
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Ouch! Poor Baby! That hurts but you'll soon be surprised at how far you can hobble and as the trip goes on you'll get faster. I broke my toe once and didn't need a wheelchair. Be careful that you don't overcompensate for your broken toes and put too much pressure on your knee.
On the bright side, you'll get lots of sympathy perks. Heal Well and have a wonderful time.
On the bright side, you'll get lots of sympathy perks. Heal Well and have a wonderful time.
Jul 8th, 2006, 09:30 AM
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I broke two toes the night before I went to Manhattan for three days. The doctor gave me one of those wooden shoes, and between that ugly thing and a little extra strength Tylenol, I was completely fine - except for a few hours where I wore sneakers. The advice given about about wearing very rigid soles is no joke!
Jul 8th, 2006, 01:58 PM
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margreee-
I had some problems with my feet which required icing every morning. I took those chemical icepacks with us. I got them in a medical supply drugstore. They really came in handy when my husband broke two toes on the first day of our vacation. Have fun!
I had some problems with my feet which required icing every morning. I took those chemical icepacks with us. I got them in a medical supply drugstore. They really came in handy when my husband broke two toes on the first day of our vacation. Have fun!
Jul 8th, 2006, 02:00 PM
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I broke my left foot about 3 weeks before a trip to Spain . . . doc put it in a walking "boot," gave me some pain pills (didn't need them), and sent me on my way.
I was hardly slowed down at all . . . I did have to hold on to the hand rails a little firmer when going up/down stairs but other than that, it was much easier than I expected.
Hope your trip turns out as good as mine!
Sandy (in Denton)
I was hardly slowed down at all . . . I did have to hold on to the hand rails a little firmer when going up/down stairs but other than that, it was much easier than I expected.
Hope your trip turns out as good as mine!
Sandy (in Denton)
Jul 9th, 2006, 07:49 AM
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Thank you, thank you, thank you.
As I sit here waiting for the cab, I feel reassured and well advised. I purchased the ugly wooden soled shoes and the chemical ice pack. It's amazing how often this happens to people! I'm also thrilled to hear that things begin to feel better in about a week. Thank you all!
As I sit here waiting for the cab, I feel reassured and well advised. I purchased the ugly wooden soled shoes and the chemical ice pack. It's amazing how often this happens to people! I'm also thrilled to hear that things begin to feel better in about a week. Thank you all!
Jul 24th, 2006, 08:15 AM
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Just back from our wonderful trip to Italy on a broken toe and I needed to thank EVERYONE for their wonderful advice. MUCH MUCH easier than I could ever have hoped for. A particular help was purchasing bottled water which was FROZEN - easy to find - and applying it to the foot before taking a drink.
Again, grazie everyone!
Again, grazie everyone!
Dec 2nd, 2006, 01:04 PM
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Was interested to find this site... my husband just found out that he has torn tendons in his ankle and now in a immobilizer boot and told no touring on foot! We were supposed to leave in 2 weeks to meet up with our daughter and travel together...
At this point we've been thinking of cancelling the trip or making it shorter with less walking - trying to figure out if that is possible...
Other than our frequest flyer miles - which we can put back into our account - we won't loose anything. I had been keeping a variety of options open but hadn't paid because of my husband's ankle pain.
Now that I see this site, I'm wondering if anyone who's gone through this has any ideas that would make a trip to Euope possible. We decided we wouldn't go to Italy since that is a place we'd want to visit when he was more mobile.
Our tickets - as they stand now - are to fly in and out of Paris for 10 day.
We have been to Paris and London.
Thanks in advance...
At this point we've been thinking of cancelling the trip or making it shorter with less walking - trying to figure out if that is possible...
Other than our frequest flyer miles - which we can put back into our account - we won't loose anything. I had been keeping a variety of options open but hadn't paid because of my husband's ankle pain.
Now that I see this site, I'm wondering if anyone who's gone through this has any ideas that would make a trip to Euope possible. We decided we wouldn't go to Italy since that is a place we'd want to visit when he was more mobile.
Our tickets - as they stand now - are to fly in and out of Paris for 10 day.
We have been to Paris and London.
Thanks in advance...
Dec 2nd, 2006, 02:34 PM
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Tough call. Modern medicine has kept me walking on many an occasion. But I was in the French Foreign Legion and it was "march or die" out in the desert.
But if you don't lose any money, maybe wait and see how the injury plays out. A torn tendon can be very, very painful, and walking may make your recovery much more difficult.
But if you don't lose any money, maybe wait and see how the injury plays out. A torn tendon can be very, very painful, and walking may make your recovery much more difficult.
Dec 2nd, 2006, 02:42 PM
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... if only we had time to wait and see how his recovery goes.. we are supposed to leave soon - dec. 13th ... and, if i'm going to try and change our tickets - one thought is to go for a shorter amount of time - i'll need to do it soon - probably yesterday...
my husband is going back and forth with what he wants and so the saga continues!
my husband is going back and forth with what he wants and so the saga continues!
