Whats it like to be in a cast in hot countries? I have broken my ankle-am worried about itching+swelling?

Question

I broke my ankle in 3 places a week ago and plan to fly to ghana on thursday....my doc says i can fly but i dont know if i should go...i am worried the itching will send me mad as its so hot there. I cant seem to find any info on the net about wearing casts in such hot countries....do you think it'll be bearable??? any tips how to make it so? many thanks!

Answer 1

I say this to you in all kindness DO NOT FLY IN A HARD CAST. It will be TOO soon.

Five years ago I broke my ankle while on vacation in Michigan, on Sunday night, had surgery overnight, had a hard cast put on on Thursday morning. No Problem.

Got on the plane on Friday morning, while ascending the leg swelled against the hard cast and I truly thought I would die before I got home. I was taking pain pills by the hand fulls.


It has something to do with the atmospheric pressure. The heat and itching aren't bad. That comes later on.
You will need access to ice packs and pain meds and there is no room on a plane to put your leg up.

If you insist on flying ask your Dr. to put on a soft cast and a fracture boot. Then there is room for the swelling. Take plenty of pain meds and Zip lock bags, quart and gallon to create your own Ice packs. They can do that even on the plane. But there is no place to put your leg up. It will be down on the floor the whole flight and I don't want to think how long it takes to get to Ghana.

I just can't say enough what a bad Idea this is at this time. Good Luck on whatever you decided.