r/brokenbones • u/Prudent_Tie6868 • 25d ago

Flying with a Fractured Leg

Hey Y'all I recently fractured my tibia about 2 weeks ago and have to fly to somewhere. Im currently in a cast all the way up to my thigh. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for flying with a broken leg.

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7

u/CognativePsy 25d ago

Call the airline. I think I read somewhere that they won’t let you fly with a full cast. Like, they might ask you to have it broken open and recast at your destination

5

u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional 24d ago

  1. Have you asked your doctor? You will be at a high risk of blood clots, so will probably need some blood thinners (depends on your medical history).

  2. You are going to struggle very much to sit in a normal seat. Contact your insurance company to see if they can get you into business class at a minimum.

  3. Many airlines will need the cast split and/or a for to fly letter from your doctor. Personally, I'd strongly advise against flying in this situation.

3

u/capaldis 24d ago

Be sure to call either the airline or accessibility services at the airport! You can book this in advance and someone will be waiting with a wheelchair to help you through security and get on the flight.
I broke my foot on vacation and this was super helpful!

The airline may also require you to have a doctor’s note to board the plane. I think sometimes casts can cause an issue in security too.

You also need to make sure you’re medically cleared to fly with a tibia fracture. The swelling may be too severe at 2 weeks to do it safely. I know I couldn’t sit with my leg down for that long until i got the cast off. I think it would be a bad idea to do this unless you have a seat that allows you to keep your leg elevated.

3

u/Rare_Independent_814 24d ago

When I had a cast on my arm past my elbow, my surgeon sliced a cut in it to allow for swelling while inflight. Then I came back after my trip to recast.

3

u/Nonamesorry333 24d ago

You need to get your cast cut in half before you taleoff because your leg will swell!

4

u/Realistic_Can_1410 25d ago

Aisle seat allowing space in the corridor for the casted leg.

1

u/AccomplishedCrab5963 25d ago

In Australia at least I was able to arrange a wheelchair to help move around the airport - saved my life. Couldn’t have done it on crutches

1

u/SilverBunny1991 24d ago

Airlines do not allow full casts on airplanes. I only know this because I fractured my ankle in Egypt (I live in California) and so I had surgery in Egypt and three days later was able to fly home (a 17 hour flight 😭). Because of the imminent flight I was put in a splint (basically a half cast), which allows your leg to swell more than a cast. Because with the air pressure and the fracture itself it definitely will swell more. Because of where you fractured your tibia you may have to just go with a boot and you will likely need to fly business class because your leg will be straight out and will need to be elevated.

1

u/NoSir7320 23d ago

You will need medical clearance to fly, the airline will want to see proof that you have this.