Shattered my heel and sailing on gem June 21

[DiverJohn]

Sailing on the gem in June to Bermuda but have just shattered my left heel. Going to see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to see if I need surgery to remove fragments of bone. At best I will be in a non walking cast so I am trying to figure out what to bring to get around both on the ship and on the island. Have seen the knee carts on the ship being used, but thinking that stairs are out of the question with them,  crutches seem better on stairs but after two days of use I  am definitely feeling sore on the sides of my rib cage. Don’t know if there is a cart that holds crutches maybe ?Hoping someone that was in a similar situation can share their experience with me as well as any issues that arose for them that they didn’t expect. Thanks in advance for any help or tips !!

[Sauer-kraut]

Oh bummer!! I hope you get cleared to sail.  I think the knee scooter is your best bet.  That's why there are elevators on ships.

[Shih-tzu]

That's such a shame - I hope that things sort out for you and you don't miss your cruise.

 

I noticed some people had ECVs on the Gem last week.  Not sure if they were personal ones or if they were rented in Boston for the cruise.   There are areas in the Garden Café that have seating for people using wheel chairs, ECVs, etc.   I did see someone going with on of the knee carts but not sure how they did getting on and off the ship in Bermuda.   The staff is very helpful though.

 

Crutches are tricky, especially at sea when the boat rocks (and it did on the return trip on the 8th and 9th).   IF you can change your cabin, try to get an accessible one (either your TA or Cruise Consultant may be able to talk to the cruise line based on your circumstances) as wheel chairs, ECVs, knee carts all take up more room.   Another suggestion is try to get mid-ship so you don't have to go far from one end to the other to get to things on board.

 

I hope you have a great trip despite your injury.

 

[NLH Arizona]

I agree, I think the knee scooter is best.

[bluesea777]

10 minutes ago, DiverJohn said:

Sailing on the gem in June to Bermuda but have just shattered my left heel. Going to see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to see if I need surgery to remove fragments of bone. At best I will be in a non walking cast so I am trying to figure out what to bring to get around both on the ship and on the island. Have seen the knee carts on the ship being used, but thinking that stairs are out of the question with them,  crutches seem better on stairs but after two days of use I  am definitely feeling sore on the sides of my rib cage. Don’t know if there is a cart that holds crutches maybe ?Hoping someone that was in a similar situation can share their experience with me as well as any issues that arose for them that they didn’t expect. Thanks in advance for any help or tips !!

 

Don't lean on the crutches! Keep your armpits off them! Use your hands and arms to move the crutches forward and move yourself. I found it easier to move this way.

 

Practise.  Bermuda has lovely beaches you don't want to miss!!

 

[DiverJohn]

Thanks , fortunately have a mid ship balcony right next to the elevators so room should be good, have always used stairs on last 12 cruises to help work off the extra food and drink but will definitely be waiting for the elevators this cruise. The cart definitely makes sense on the ship but going ashore while in Bermuda was thinking will need both(crutches and cart) probably

[Son of a son of a ...]

I had a compound fix of fibula.  Pins, plate, and syndesmotic screw.  Get a knee scooter.  You are several weeks from sailing ... expect non-weight-bearing status.  I found people to be very kind and accommodating.

[andymattmom]

I am in a walking boot now because of an Achilles’ tendon tear (partial). I’m having surgery 4 days after we get off the Breakaway (we sail May 26). Since I’ve had  time to get ready (boot since March hoping it would get better), I got a knee scooter which I’ll need after surgery and I got arm crutches (not the type that you use under arms). I’ve been practicing and they are nice as no pressure under arms (I had read how you can get back issues with under arm ones. 

 

Thankfully I can put pressure and walk while on cruise. I’d take the knee scooter over crutches, but maybe take both. 

 

Good luck

[Sauer-kraut]

You might want to look into something like this. It won't take up space in the stateroom you can store it under the bed or by the bedside. And you won't have to worry about the stairs and getting off the ship with crutches.

[DiverJohn]

1 hour ago, Sauer-kraut said:

You might want to look into something like this. It won't take up space in the stateroom you can store it under the bed or by the bedside. And you won't have to worry about the stairs and getting off the ship with crutches.

Not showing me picture , can you describe ?

[newcruiser48]

Sorry, I have to comment on the knee type crutch with a flip flop on the weight bearing foot!

Hope you do ok on your cruise.

[smplybcause]

I would definitely not do crutches only. I badly sprained my ankle on a Friday night with disembarkation on Sunday. That last day found me not moving much. I'm not sure if it's because I'm tall, but the halls were too narrow to really crutch so I often went down to one and holding the railing so the crutches didn't keep hitting the wall. I was further away from the elevator, but man did I get out of breath often. 

[All-ready2cruise]

20 minutes ago, DiverJohn said:

Not showing me picture , can you describe ?

Just look it up on internet.  There are some youtube videos showing what they're like. Some seem quite easy to use and would seem to suit your needs. I'd look into something maybe your drugstore/Dr. office might offer for your daily needs. No way would I want to be stuck with crutches for very long, a knee scooter seems so much easier in any circumstance.. including a cruise. 

 

Good luck, hope you get to go on your cruise and enjoy your relaxation time. 

Cheers.

[drumming cruisers]

DEFINITLY a knee scooter. Broke my ankle before cruise and used one. Worked great, and I felt safe using it. Crutches I was afraid I would hurt myself more, and people trip on them and you can be knocked down. 

I got the little scooter without a basket, on Amazon for $199. I got it in 1 day. 

[albertamom]

2 hours ago, Sauer-kraut said:

You might want to look into something like this. It won't take up space in the stateroom you can store it under the bed or by the bedside. And you won't have to worry about the stairs and getting off the ship with crutches.

Just before New Year's I broke my lower leg, and in January I completed a Panama Canal cruise using the iWalk 2.0 pictured above, although I used a sensible shoe on my good foot, not a flip-flop!🤣

 

It was absolutely invaluable.  I used a knee scooter at home, but chose this specifically because I could do stairs with it.  I had crutches as well, but much preferred the iWalk.  We did excursions in every port, and although I was slow, I got around just fine.  I was exhausted at the end of every day, but so grateful to be able to experience everything that I did.

 

I purchased it from Amazon, and packed it in my suitcase for travel.  We arranged wheel-chair service at each airport, and I highly recommend doing so.  Travel days are exhausting, and they just whisked us from check-in, through customs, security and right to the plane door (and in reverse on arrival).

 

I also rented a wheelchair from Scootaround for the cruise.  It was quite reasonably priced.  NCL partners with them.  It will be delivered to your cabin or to your pre-cruise hotel.  You leave it in your cabin when you disembark.  I didn't use it a lot, but some evenings I was so exhausted that I had hubby wheel me to dinner.  When we had really rough seas, I felt way to unstable on the iWalk, so used the chair.  They also have knee scooters to rent.

 

Best of luck to you!  It can definitely be done! 👍

[ohhbother]

I'll be the lone voice of dissent against the knee scooter. I tried to use one after Achilles reconstruction surgery. It wreaked havoc on my knee and my hips. My physical therapist hated the thing and ordered me to stop using it - told me they cause more problems than they solve. I'd rent a wheelchair or a scooter.

[Rob031]

4 hours ago, DiverJohn said:

Sailing on the gem in June to Bermuda but have just shattered my left heel. Going to see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to see if I need surgery to remove fragments of bone. At best I will be in a non walking cast so I am trying to figure out what to bring to get around both on the ship and on the island. Have seen the knee carts on the ship being used, but thinking that stairs are out of the question with them,  crutches seem better on stairs but after two days of use I  am definitely feeling sore on the sides of my rib cage. Don’t know if there is a cart that holds crutches maybe ?Hoping someone that was in a similar situation can share their experience with me as well as any issues that arose for them that they didn’t expect. Thanks in advance for any help or tips !!

I sailed the Dawn to Bermuda several years ago and on the last day in Bermuda I Jumped from an unregulated cliff and the wave went out and i landed on Rock. Broke both my knees, ankle, foot and shattered my heal. The Heal was by far the worse break. It was impossible to get around or even have any part of my foot touch the ground. That is until I was fitted with a pressurized walking cast (boot). Was able to walk without crutches and felt no additional pain when walking. In addition to the cast I used a cane just to help with balance when navigating stairs as the Boot is heavy when walking a lot But was able to get around just fine. Ive also gone on Cruises after Having my Knees replaced which did require crutches and was able to get around just fine by using those metal half crutches (not sure what their real name is, they have hand grips and extent with supports that end at your forearm) which eliminates the shoulder and rib pain and poor balance associated with typical crutches.  Good Luck. 

[hannibal54]

As one who has shattered his left heal, it really sucked and still does. After surgery I had 4 months non weight bearing, I didn't want a walker so I used crutches, I don't think those knee things were available at the time. It still bothers me after 15 years. All I can say is good luck.

[DiverJohn]

Ironically my dad crushed his heel in the early 70’s, he had to give up being a cop and walked with a major limp and constant pain till he passed many years later.

I  have found one of the iwalk 2.0 for sale locally used and have contacted seller. Hopefully the extra time at home to get familiar with it will give me an idea of my limits using one as far as distance and terrain. Now to pick out a knee scooter as well for “ship” use. Doubt they will let me do the behind the scenes tour as some of the crew stairs are pretty steep and hoping I can talk orthopedic surgeon into a removable cast instead of a plaster one so I can still make use of our thermal spa pass we purchased, time will tell. Thank you all for your input I truly appreciate all you have shared with me !!

[CrabbyPatti]

If you manage at all to take both.  Hubby used both a knee scooter and crutches during his long recovery.  He was actually more stable on the scooter!  The crutches were more for standby in tight areas.  The scooter was easy for me to lift in and out of the vehicles.  If we were headed on the cruise, with an injury like this, would definitely take both!  Good Luck.

[Casino Comp Chick]

13 hours ago, DiverJohn said:

Sailing on the gem in June to Bermuda but have just shattered my left heel. Going to see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to see if I need surgery to remove fragments of bone. At best I will be in a non walking cast so I am trying to figure out what to bring to get around both on the ship and on the island. Have seen the knee carts on the ship being used, but thinking that stairs are out of the question with them,  crutches seem better on stairs but after two days of use I  am definitely feeling sore on the sides of my rib cage. Don’t know if there is a cart that holds crutches maybe ?Hoping someone that was in a similar situation can share their experience with me as well as any issues that arose for them that they didn’t expect. Thanks in advance for any help or tips !!

 

I rented a scooter from disabilities at Sea and NCL changed me to an HC cabin. That is your best bet, btw forget about the stairs, the Gem has 3 elevator banks.

Also, in Bermuda it was easy to ride off the ship and hang around the fort area.

Edited May 14, 2019 by Casino Comp Chick

[Pete's Girl]

You can actually rent an electric scooter from a company that has a contract with NCL.  They'll deliver to the ship...and they'll pick up from the ship.  I'd strongly recommend that route....as well as the knee scooter.  The electric scooter can be charged overnight....and possibly taken ashore with you if you just want to tool around Kings Wharf....if that's where you're docked.  That place is HUGE....and even with a knee scooter, exhausting.  

 

A shattered heel is crazy painful.  Good luck in your recovery!   

[Pete's Girl]

5 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

 

I rented a scooter from disabilities at Sea and NCL changed me to an HC cabin. That is your best bet, btw forget about the stairs, the Gem has 3 elevator banks.

Also, in Bermuda it was easy to ride off the ship and hang around the fort area.

I concur!!  I should have read your response before posting mine!!  Still....great idea!!

[Laszlo]

18 hours ago, DiverJohn said:

Sailing on the gem in June to Bermuda but have just shattered my left heel. Going to see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to see if I need surgery to remove fragments of bone. At best I will be in a non walking cast so I am trying to figure out what to bring to get around both on the ship and on the island. Have seen the knee carts on the ship being used, but thinking that stairs are out of the question with them,  crutches seem better on stairs but after two days of use I  am definitely feeling sore on the sides of my rib cage. Don’t know if there is a cart that holds crutches maybe ?Hoping someone that was in a similar situation can share their experience with me as well as any issues that arose for them that they didn’t expect. Thanks in advance for any help or tips !!

That sucks, I would take a look at your crutches. If your sore epically your ribs either they are not adjusted correct or your not using them correct. Go with a scooter if you can! Good luck 

Edited May 14, 2019 by Laszlo

[DiverJohn]

Quick update, Back from orthopedic surgeon, he said I am on the borderline of needing surgery or not. He wants me to go see his friend who is highly regarded for foot /ankle injuries. Given my active lifestyle he is thinking surgery would leave me with the least impact down the road but thinks his friends opinion carries more weight given the chance for complications. Did manage to talk to him about a removable cast for the purpose of diving while in Bermuda (with only one fin) as well as to use the thermal spa, he was fine with both as well as using the iwalk 2.0 ., and had them put on a Jones cast, turns out he is a rebreather diver, told him I still make bubbles but am starting trimix diving in two months. So in Two or three days go see new specialist, and hope things stay on track for me. Thanks for the help all!