possible OA, miniscus tear and GAC About This Page:

[NYKELLY]

We leave for WDW in 10 days But yesterday DH was at the orthopedist's office and found out he might have a possible tear of the miniscus in one of his knees as well as osteoarthritis in his knee. The dr wrote a note for our trip in case he needs it stating this and that prolong walking and/or standing could increase pain.
Is this where a GAC would come in handy? if so, how would it help and which rides would it help on inparticular? If we got a GAC and there was a particularly long line would he just show the card to the CM and then would we get to use the fastpass line (we are a family of 5, i think i read on a previous post the limit is 5 or 6 people?). Can someone explain this to me? Thanks.

[CinderAbby]

Truthfully, (but I'm not a Disney employee) it sounds to me like your hubby would only need a wheelchair for comfort instead of a GAC. GAC are normally for hidden disabilities (physically can't wait in lines like my daughter, trouble transferring like my hubby. needing a stoller as a wheelchair etc). And in our experience, using the GAC at times can create a longer wait that just going in the standby line (Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountian and TSM are where it happened to us). If your hubby needs a wheelchair, almost all standby lines accept them now and where they don't a CM will let you know.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by NYKELLY

We leave for WDW in 10 days But yesterday DH was at the orthopedist's office and found out he might have a possible tear of the miniscus in one of his knees as well as osteoarthritis in his knee. The dr wrote a note for our trip in case he needs it stating this and that prolong walking and/or standing could increase pain.
Is this where a GAC would come in handy? if so, how would it help and which rides would it help on inparticular? If we got a GAC and there was a particularly long line would he just show the card to the CM and then would we get to use the fastpass line (we are a family of 5, i think i read on a previous post the limit is 5 or 6 people?). Can someone explain this to me? Thanks.

Hi there! Welcome!

I am so sorry to hear about DH's injury. I hope all goes well for him.

The best choice for your DH would be to get a wheelchair or an ECV for your trip. Standing in line is NOTHING compared to walking the distances between attractions an climbing stairs.

Also, while standing in line, you can shift your weight onto the uninjured leg, you can lean on a rail, you can sit on the floor. While walking, you can't really favor the injured leg too much unless you plan on hopping, which is not a great option.

The CM's, from what I hear, would suggest the same.

Now for the real question...Do you think DH would be open to using wheelchair?

[NYKELLY]

Unfortunately i dont' see DH using a wheelchair. We have 3 kids twins age 7 1/2 and a just 5 year old and will probably have a stroller. He's never used an ECV and disney isn't the place to try it out for the first time imo. His knee isn't that bad on a day to day basis, but occasionally it does and he's not doing disney walking on a day to day basis. We were just wondering if he would be able to get a GAC to use if his knee was really giving him trouble at the end of a long day or on a given day in particular.
we appreciate you taking the time to answer and the suggestions.

[Tracy M.]

After the first full day of Disney walking your DH might change his mind about the wheelchair.

[mechurchlady]

GAC usually does not shorten the time one has to wait. I was at DLR and the line for GAC was out the door, down the exit and toward the river in the hot sun.

The GAC can help him avoid stairs and steep ramps for example. Driving an ECV is no more difficult than driving a bobtail truck. Just practice at the hotel. I adhere to the Disney advice to get a wheelchair, rollator, cane with a seat, or scooter/ECV

Good luck on your trip.

[blondie]

I have had a torn miniscus and a torn ligament in the past so I can feel your pain. However, the ligament torn was much worse than the miniscus thing. With the miniscus, I had problems standing in line, especially if I had to turn around and twist, my knee would click backwards. Walking was no problem. I have OA of that knee now and walking is very good for it. Very odd. Anyway, after I got that fixed too I have had no issues. Like another poster said, sometimes the wait with a GAC is long er than the regular line. We tend to use FP with popular rides rather than GAC for our kids who use strollers as wheelchairs. Good luck!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by NYKELLY

Unfortunately i dont' see DH using a wheelchair. We have 3 kids twins age 7 1/2 and a just 5 year old and will probably have a stroller. He's never used an ECV and disney isn't the place to try it out for the first time imo. His knee isn't that bad on a day to day basis, but occasionally it does and he's not doing disney walking on a day to day basis. We were just wondering if he would be able to get a GAC to use if his knee was really giving him trouble at the end of a long day or on a given day in particular.
we appreciate you taking the time to answer and the suggestions.

Oh, men, they are so proud!

Please keep an eye on him, and if you see him favoring that knee, make an excuse to rest. See if your Dr. thinks a stabilizing knee brace might help. Plan your day carefully so you see everything in order as you are walking to save steps. Just look at the map and try to tour everything is a big circle that ends back at the entrance.

If you want to see the parades or fireworks, try to find a seat. You can combine meals with that! In Animal Kingdom, Pizzafari is a great spot for viewing. The chicken parm is quite tasty, and you can get a real drink nearby to bring to the table. Pecos Bill's is a great counter service to see the MK parade, and their fixins bar is one of the best with skillets full of fried onions and mushrooms and fresh fixins. For Illuminations in Epcot, Cantina De San Angel is a great choice AND you can get one of those frosty layered margueritas!!! MMMM Claim one of the tables by the rail early and hubby can rest while enjoying the show.

Remember, the GAC can't help you with the walking, which is where he could take a spill. If Guest services suggests a wheelchair instead of a GAC it won't be because they are trying to be difficult. It is because they are trained to know which accommodations really would be best and it really sounds like the GAC would give your DH a false sense of security without a wheelchair if his knee injury really does put him at risk. They also have a responsibility to make sure that their guests stay as safe as possible.

Please be sure to let us know how everything went and, of course, ask any other questions you might have.

[Teresa]

Originally Posted by Tracy M.

After the first full day of Disney walking your DH might change his mind about the wheelchair.

Oh, I agree! We took my step-mama a few years ago, and she said she'd be fine. We offered and offered to get her an ECV before we left, but she refused. After the first day at WDW, she was in pain. The next morning, my DH INSISTED we hang around the resort a little longer than we planned. Well, about 9 or 10AM, the concierge called. DH had ordered an ECV from the same place we'd gotten my dad's, and had it delivered to the resort. Step-mama was thrilled!!

The amount of walking involved at WDW is way more than most people believe - 5 to 8 miles a day is not unusual! Your DH may need to think realistically about what he can put his knee through.

That all said - a GAC is what is called for here. You don't need (nor will they even look at) a doctor's note. Just be really clear on what you're asking for.

[CinderAbby]

That all said - a GAC is what is called for here.

You don't need a GAC to get a wheelchair though. And like Sandra pointed out, in no way will a GAC help him with the walking issues. It (the GAC) will only help him in the lines but if he has a wheelchair (that he should be able to transfer from with no problem), waiting shouldn't be an issue (he'll be sitting so it doesn't matter if the wait is 10 minutes or 60 as there won't be any weight on his knee) that he needs to avoid so he can go in most standby lines. The ones he can't, the CM will let him know anyway, with or without a GAC.

[HollyH]

I had a torn ACL and miniscus tear.....they reconstructed the ACL, nothing they could do about the miniscus. I have been to WDW 3x with this. My best advice to your DH is to act proactively! Once his knee is sore and swollen, it will be much harder to deal with. Ask his doctor for his advice, but I find that taking ibuprofen helps with pain and swelling. It is also imperative that he have comfortable shoes (well broken in) with good support. Not sure of your touring style, but try not to hit the parks from opening to closing. Breaks are important, don't go commando. I can understand why he would be resistant to using a WC. While necessary for some, they present their own challenges and may not really make touring easier, especially if he is not used to using one. Good luck!

[jenifermg0]

On our last trip my DH managed to dislocate his toe while at BB. Wasn't pretty from what he, his buddy and my DS told me (DSIL and I were off horseback riding at that point). So after we managed to get him back to the resort, I went down to the concierge and managed to locate him a push WC. He didn't like it, but he used it. He could walk....only very, very slowly. We wouldn't have gotten ANYWHERE if he hadn't used it. However, he kept getting out of it and walking around....Wanted to tie him to the darn thing!! His toe turned all sorts of colors and started to swell the first day after he did it in.....but still he kept trying to get out of the chair while we were in the parks!! MEN!!!!! I was primarily concerned with someone stepping on it and hurting him even worse. Our DS was his "V8-Jacob" and pushed him about half the time. May be the only time in his life he gets to push Daddy around!!
I realize your DH may not WANT to use a WC, but he may HAVE to if all of you are going to enjoy the trip. The twins might be able to be his motor (if you have a push chair) or just simply be there to help him out with stuff. It's hard for any of us to admit to a weakness and for most men it's even harder. However if he ends up causing more damage to his knee or causing a flare up of the OA, everyone is going to be upset and miserable.
Let him try a day and then if it's going to be too hard, you can have one delivered by one of the rental companies or you might luck out (as we did) and your resort may have a push chair you can borrow for the duration of the trip. And if the 7 year olds are helping to push Dad around, you will know where they are!!!!

[WeLuvTheWorld]

I got back two weeks ago from DW and went to the doctor two days later to find out that I had a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis in my knee for which I've had to start physical therapy. The only reason I went to the orthopedic doctor was because I had problems while at DW. I'd fallen down some stairs about a month earlier but it was just sore, not unbearable, so I thought that I'd just bruised my knee. All the added walking we did while at DW really aggravated the situation to the point that I was having swelling and some numbness. I just had to slow down and two of the days, I just met up with my DH and our friends later in the day or went back to the resort earlier than everyone else. I understand not wanting to use a wheelchair (my DH kept wanting to get one for me) but it might make things easier so please tell your DH to keep that option open. The suggestions about sitting for the fireworks and shows is a great idea and be sure to tell him to take breaks as needed during the day. There are lots of benches and places to rest.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by WeLuvTheWorld

I got back two weeks ago from DW and went to the doctor two days later to find out that I had a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis in my knee for which I've had to start physical therapy.

I understand not wanting to use a wheelchair (my DH kept wanting to get one for me) but it might make things easier so please tell your DH to keep that option open. The suggestions about sitting for the fireworks and shows is a great idea and be sure to tell him to take breaks as needed during the day. There are lots of benches and places to rest.

Thanks so much for the advice. PLEASE keep us posted on how that knee heals in PT!