Last post Tue, Feb 05 2008 1:20 PM by activeforever. 12 replies.
Hi all,
I figured I'd inaugurate this section with a post. I have RA and will be having ankle replacement surgery sometime in the next 6 months. I was hoping some of our wheelchair or scooter-driving members could share some tips on getting around, since I'll be off my feet for a couple of months. Due to having arthritis in my hands, wrists, and shoulders, I can't use crutches for more than very short distances and will be getting a scooter (can't do manual wheelchairs for the same reasons). I'm planning to be back at work within 2 weeks or surgery, since I'm a software engineer and don't need to walk to program a computer :-)
So, since I've never been on wheels before, I was hoping you guys who are or have been could share some tips or pitfalls to watch out for. I'm trying to plan ahead as much as possible so I don't get blindsided by any issues. One question I have is about how you manage without sidewalks. I live in the suburbs of Boston and there are no sidewalks around the area. Is riding in the street advisable? I'm not far from the public transit station, but I won't be able to drive (it's the right ankle getting done) so if I can't ride in the street, I'll have to use the paratransit service.
I'm trying to think of it from the POV I get when riding a bike, but I realize it's different.
Thanks!
Vi
Hi Vi,
I've been on wheels for almost 5 yrs now. I had OA-knees since high school (class of 67). The NSAIDs quit working for me and I went from upright & mobile to riding a power chair in less than 6 weeks time. I prefer a power wheelchair over a scooter...it's easier to get around in. You really have to be careful riding in the street. I've cut thru parking lots and had to go down side streets in busy areas and come close to getting hit many times. Not because I was careless, but because someone else wasn't watching what they were doing. I've added DOT reflector tape to my chair and that has helped. I have about a 24 mile range. I can cover Disney World/Epcot Center for a day on one charge. Only down side for you is that your feet will be 'exposed' on the front foot rest. People intentionally step in front of me and will either clip my feet or I'll have to stop suddenly to avoid hitting them. You can rent/lease a power chair. I do that for traveling since I no longer trust the airlines with my chair.
John P503
Thanks guys!
I've been looking at scooters primarily because I've seen some that can be dismantled and are somewhat portable (not to mention, they're cheaper than the chairs). After I'm ambulatory again, I'll still probably need to use wheels for some occasions, since my "mileage limit" still won't be that of a normal person. It will be great if I can stick it in the trunk of the car and pull it out when I need it :-)
I've rented scooters for things like conventions and use the ones available at many museums and shopping locations, but travel is something I hadn't considered. I think I'd be leery of trusting baggage handlers with something that expensive. Do they even allow you to transport the battery packs?
There's so much to consider in getting around on wheels. I'm getting a couple of those stair lifts installed, since my house is a split entry ranch and has two sets of stairs to get to ground level. I looked into vertical lifts, but they become prohibitively expensive once you go beyond 36" in height and finding someone to install them is next to impossible.
I likened my experience to bike riding earlier, and it's kind of funny, but I'm actually able to ride a bike fairly well, since I have more trouble with my ankles than my knees, but it makes for odd looks when one parks in the handicapped spot with a bike and bike rack on the car ;-) I can't walk worth a damn, but I can ride! Once I get the replacement ankles, I'm hoping to be able to walk a lot better. Just the potential reduction in pain makes me very hopeful. My knees aren't too bad yet, but I'll likely have to have those replaced eventually. I'm on my way to being very bionic
I really appreciate the first-hand tips. Nothing can replace real-world experience.
hi, violette!
i'm a c4-5 quadriplegic, but i also have RA and i belong to a wonderful message boards for people with RA. maybe you might like to check it out, everyone is very friendly and helpful!
www.rheumorweb.com
hugs, lola
Hi Vi!
As a 17 year veteran of the "rolling around folks", I would say that streets without sidewalks are certainly not the end of your getting around. Riding on other folks lawns is very impolite especially if you are messing it up as you roll.
Safety is the only concern I would voice. Have reflective material on the seatback and some form of reflectors on the wheels. If possible get battery powered lamps for front and back if you are out after dark. A tall flag is helpful in letting others see you, too. If you are creative make it fun or show your family crest!
Roll on the side of the street AGAINST the flow of traffic - this optimizes the chance of seeing something coming at you and you making an evasive move.
Most of all, be on the lookout for cars, trucks, fast moving kids on bicycles, and ANY vehicle that is backing up!
Beyond that, a good cushion will prevent any sores from sitting too long. Keep shifting your weight every couple of minutes when in front of a computer -- it's too easy to forget how long you are sitting there.
I wish you well and don't worry - give your body the time it needs to get better - try to keep active while protecting ankle - know that others have been through it and you will make it through, too!
If you're looking for a scooter that can be easily transported from place to place, try looking at the Go-Go Scooter. Compared to the prices of other units, this one is fairly inexpensive and easy to travel with or use from time to time if you're switching back and forth between other mobility aids. Just some food for thought!
Sara
Thanks for the great tips! Ya know, I have a brother names Glenn
Thanks! I'll look into it. At that price, it might be just the ticket for tooling around the mall this holiday season :-)
Hi,
I had my right ankle replaced in 2005 and also rented a scooter for a few months. I was able to use crutches and a manual wheelchair in my home, so I had the scooter delivered to my workplace on a University campus. It was so helpful to get around and feel safe doing so. I once found myself in a snowstorm with only my crutches while recovering, and that was really scary. The problem I had with the scooter, because I am also legally blind, was depth perception for curb cuts. If I hit one at the wrong angle it could tip the scooter. Be careful of that.
I too have RA in my shoulders, elbows, hands, writsts, etc, and have had both knees, both hips and the right ankle replaced. It's great to hear about fellow cyborgs out there! Best of recovery on your new joint, and don't overdo it while it's healing.
Terri
Hi Terri!
Thanks for responding! If you don't mind my asking, which ankle replacement did you get? My doctor is looking at the Agility ankle for me. How is it working out for you? I'm starved for real info on how they work out and what the whole recovery process entails. You're the first person I've encountered who has an ankle replacement, so I'd love some first-hand info, if you don't mind sharing. I'm going to be putting up a web site to document my own experience. I did something similar for my MCP joint replacement, since there was a dearth of info out there. That page is offline at the moment, but I'll be putting it back up soon.
Most people aren't even aware that ankles can be replaced. I get the same odd looks when I talk about my knuckle replacements, since even people who have similar arthritic disabilities don't seem to be aware of that option. I'm currently also recovering from my second blown thumb tendon (matching scars on each hand now!) and with silicone knuckles, crutches are definitely not going to work with these hands I'm going scooter shopping once I get my next consulting assignment and actually have money to spend.
I don't envy you navigating snow on crutches. Last winter, I found myself stuck on an icy sidewalk in Cambridge that I hadn't realized was so bad until I was partway across. Lumpy, uneven ice is the worst! Silly me, I thought it was just a short stretch of ice, since I had my eyes focused down to navigate the treacherous stuff. Luckily for me, a kind (and cute!) gentleman saw me picking my way along with my cane and offered me a shoulder to lean on.
Anyway, thanks for sharing!
Well, I learned the hard way that Percodan and motorized wheelchairs don't mix.
I have JRA and had my sub-talar joint fused (ankle) with a tendon transfer a few years ago. Couldn't use crutches/walker due to arthritic hands, elbows, shoulders - and everything else. I was only on pain killers for a few weeks after the surgery, but whoa, did my tiny condo get beat up. Dents in the walls, gouges in the doorways and tire tracks everywhere. LOL.
Good luck, don't Perc and drive.
Drive Medical and ActiveForever recently introduced the Phoenix Power Mobility Scooter which folds/breaks down into smaller pieces so it can fit in a smaller car's trunk. We fit one in the trunk of someone's rented Mustang (which is notorious for limited trunk space) with no difficulty. It comes in 3 and 4 wheeled versions. The Go Go Elite Traveller is also a nice model with similar features but it is more expensive.
Good luck with finding a scooter.
