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Long haul flight in a cast

  • 05-05-2025 09:12AM
    #1
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭


    I have had an accident abroad and need to return home to have surgery on a broken bone. I cannot place any weight on the leg, and I am currently in a plaster cast that the doctor split on one side until I get home and he gave me blood thinners to take 12 hours before the flight. I'm still very anxious about this. It's a long flight (basically the other side of the world), and I'm very concerned about swelling, pain and of course blood clots. Not sure how this will go and feeling a little bit up the walls about it. Has anyone else ever done this before? Am I completely over thinking it? It's two weeks since the accident.



Comments

  • #2
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,426 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    You must be in terrible pain, the airline will typically want you to travel with a nurse or paramedic, as the cast might need to be removed mid-flight. You need to contact your insurance company if you have one and the airline.



  • #3
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭hugeorange


    I have contacted the airline. They didn't say anything about a nurse, they just asked if I wanted extra leg room. I was thinking of having the cast removed and replaced with a splint for the duration of the flight until I get to Dublin, just because I'm so worried about swelling and clots.



  • #4
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,537 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    Why can't you have the surgery where you are?



  • #5
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭hugeorange


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123419258#Comment_123419258

    Because there was a lot of hemming and hawing about whether I needed it, and now my return flight is coming up anyway and so I'm just going to get treatment in Dublin. In any case, if I got surgery here, I would still not be able to travel for some time afterwards. I can't afford to stay out here longer than I planned.



  • #6
    DellyBelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,499 ✭✭✭DellyBelly


    It's expensive but buy an upgrade to business class...



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  • #7
    rubberdungeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 617 ✭✭✭rubberdungeon


    Look at adding special assistance to your booking to help you navigate the airport, manage luggage, boarding and disembarking.



  • #8
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,286 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123419164#Comment_123419164

    what makes you think they “typically “ want a nurse or paramedic ? That’s a load of rubbish


    OP ask them to cut the other side of the cast too. Your leg will swell while flying and it’ll be painful if you haven’t got room in the cast to allow swelling.

    Rick the box to get assistance and someone will meet you and bring you to and from the plane.



  • #9
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,286 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123419258#Comment_123419258

    After care treatment etc.

    I had an accident while abroad and got flown home for the surgery. My cousin is a surgeon in Ireland and said it’s always best to have the operation where you live. If anything goes wrong. You get better follow up



  • #10
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,286 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123419276#Comment_123419276

    Insurance may cover it. When I was flown home, insurance booked me 2 seats. In regular economy the seats fold forward( like the back seats in a car) , so I could put my foot straight out onto the seat in front of me.



  • #11
    Enzokk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,984 ✭✭✭Enzokk


    If you have travel insurance contact them, get a fit to fly from a doctor on what is the safest way to travel. The insurance should follow what the fit to fly advises, so if they say you are ok for the flight without any additional needs then that is what it is, if the Dr want you to be able to elevate your leg then that is what you should do for the 12 hour flight.

    Even if you don't have travel insurance you should follow the advice of the doctor who cleared you to travel, if that means paying for business class then you should really do that.



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  • #12
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭hugeorange


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123419447#Comment_123419447

    Bit of a language barrier where I am, but I got the sense this was the cause of their hesitation to do surgery here - I think because I am a tourist, they didn't want to do it because it isn't exactly a quick fix of getting an operation and then off you go, there will need to be follow up treatments and I would probably be kept in the country a lot longer for recovery and so on. I had someone at home call a hospital in Dublin and they said basically the same thing.



  • #13
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭hugeorange


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123419442#Comment_123419442

    Yes, I think I'll go back into the local hospital and ask them to split the cast further just to reassure myself. Even a splint might be better than a full plaster cast. I'd like a scenario on the plane where I could get two seats and use one for elevation but not sure how to go about it. I called the airline and they weren't hugely helpful - just told me to ask at the check in desk on the day, but that isn't exactly reassuring.



  • #14
    endofrainbow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,027 ✭✭✭endofrainbow


    Unfortunately Airline Customer Service staff are generally not well versed on procedures in a scenario like this. I'd contact the special assistance of the unnamed Airline and work with them as to your options.



  • #15
    Jim2007
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,823 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    If you have travel insurance contact them, get a fit to fly from a doctor on what is the safest way to travel. 

    Very much this, otherwise the airlaine might decide not to let you fly when you turn up.



  • #16
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,286 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123420343#Comment_123420343

    not an issue. People travel in casts daily



  • #17
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭hugeorange


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123420497#Comment_123420497

    Even though it's lower extremity and carries more risk for DVT and clots?



  • #18
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,286 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123421365#Comment_123421365

    Yes. Just not 24 hours after surgery or the injury.

    https://www.aerlingus.com/support/special-assistance/medical-conditions/



  • #19
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭hugeorange


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123421475#Comment_123421475

    Ah okay. I'm 2 weeks on from the injury and no surgery yet, so should be okay. Just need to get the cast split to give myself a little more reassurance for the long flight.



  • #20
    geecee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭geecee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123420497#Comment_123420497

    I was flying home from Thailand to Helsinki with a broken ankle and despite a fit to fly certificate, and being in a splint - not a cast, the airline (Finnair) insisted that the FTF paperwork was checked by their doctor before they would let me board. So I would echo the calls from others above to get a FTF certificate.

    Similarly, request assistance and if possible get a splint instead of a cast for the flight (or a boot?)



  • #21
    hugeorange
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭hugeorange


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123423584#Comment_123423584

    I am meeting a doctor here so will ask about it.

    How did you find the flight itself flying with an injury and in a splint? I'm very concerned about swelling and pain.



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  • #22
    geecee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭geecee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123424475#Comment_123424475

    I was flying premium economy so had plenty of leg room, requested and received assistance from check-in gate to the front door of the plane in Bangkok and then had my crutches for the final part. The assistance was invaluable TBH.

    When i arrived in Helsinki things were not so good, there was only 2 handlers for 8 people that required assistance. they told me i would need to walk myself to immigration or wait ~30 mins in a freezing cold corridor for them to come back (passenger prioritization was being done by connection times). The walk/hobble was 20+ mins, but was sure better than waiting in my shorts!



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