Any Rules for Travelling with Arm in Plaster/Fibreglass?

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redrat

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Having just fractured my wrist in bicycling accident :cry: , I still intend to complete a three week stint in the US for business training.
I leave in 9 days and the swelling will have gone down by the time I leave but has anyone got any tips for me in relation to travelling with an arm cast both with Australian and US based airlines :?:

Thanks.
 
Redrat, I am not sure but with the airlines' general crackdown on air rage I would think it unwise to travel while plastered.

Hope you get better soon.
 
Most airlines have a policy regarding passengers with medical conditions. Whilst it relies on a degree of self-disclosure, in your case, it's going to be pretty obvious. Airlines have the right to set limits on carriage (for example, most international carriers refuse to take women who admit to being more than 36 weeks pregnant). In most cases, airlines will permit passengers to fly with a letter from their doctor. Note that some airlines insist on the doctor completing one of the airline's own forms (which they usually fax to the relevant doctor). From the airline's perspective, declining to transport a passenger with a medical problem is safer, cheaper and far more convenient, than a diversion and unscheduled landing.

You should consult your doctor about possible complications whilst flying, and in particular, whether or not there is any chance of upper limb and wrist swelling occuring. You should also consult your doctor to determine what signs there are of an over-tight cast, and what steps should be taken in the event of these signs occurring. Other issues you should clarify with your doctor include a letter indicating the nature of injury you have (including date of injury, site of fracture, initial management, initial Xray findings, type of cast), and a letter to cover you for any analgaesic (if you are on any), as both US and Australian customs deem prescription analgaesics to be 'controlled substances'.

In terms of your insurance, you need to determine whether or not you are covered (in the event of a pre-existing policy), or will be covered (in the event where you are not covered by an existing policy). Remember that even a simple trip to a public hospital Emergency Department in the US may set you back literally hundreds of dollars.
 
Plastered

Hopefully you havent left yet.
I agree with HardieBoys, make sure you carry your Doctors certificate, details of the medical condition and any drugs that you have /may be taking. Also their contact details so you / new doctor can ring them.

I would also suggest 2 things - have details of any "allegies to any drugs" and any drugs you are taking, even if very minor, at reduced airpressure funny things can happen especially with pain killers / anti inflamitory's. It will also make perscribing replacements easier for the Doctor. Don't do as i did take like 3 months supply - customs think you are a drug dealer!

Also if possible take the X-rays with you - if they are recent and have dates on them, they should. This got my friend through some difficult situations and i was given the 3rd dgree [yes we both had arms in plaster & don't ask way too embarrissing I blame Mr Stoli]

On the plane try and keep your arm elevated as much as possible and do more walking around then you would normally would do this will keep any swelling down and pressure off the cast. if possible raise your arm above your head for 15-20 minutes every couple of hours - it look's silly but avoids any swelling pain. Take a 2 long water proof plastic bags that will fit over the whole arm and cast - if the swelling comes up put you arm in the plastic bags and put ice between the two. keeps the cast dry and the arm cold.

All the best i'm sure it will be fine but be prepared
 
One day to go and thanks for all the great tips. I'm changing the cast from plaster to fibreglass today for the comfort and waterproofing aspect. (Not plastered anymore :!: ) Bringing the x-ray is a good idea and I'll be getting the dr. to write as much expanatory notes as possible. Where I'm going is 10 deg F below zero so swelling shouldn't be an issue there anyway.
Cheers to ya all...
 
One more thing about taking medications out of the country: look up the Health Insurance Commission website (www.hic.gov.au) which has some information for people wishing to take medications out of Australia. Note that almost all medications (prescription or otherwise) would be considered 'controlled substances' as far as customs are concerned. Best to declare them.
 
On the plane try and keep your arm elevated as much as possible and do more walking around then you would normally would do this will keep any swelling down and pressure off the cast. if possible raise your arm above your head for 15-20 minutes every couple of hours - it look's silly but avoids any swelling pain.

If you're going to America just don't congregate around the toilets :!: :oops:
 
I'm in the FC lounge now with one more hour to go typing as fast as I can with mostly one hand :)
I'm armed to the teeth with all the xrays and doctors letters, anti inflammitory's, etc. (however, I probably shouldn't use the expression "armed to the teeth") :wink:
 
Yeah, I heard about that one Straitman.

I thought that it was someone taking the p*** (sic) but apparently it's true.
 
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I'm in transit awaiting a delayed flight out of ORD. I just love the Flagship lounge out on the K finger.
The QF captain for MEL-LAX stated the congregation rule and the LAX-ORD flight captain stated it also. Except the AA capt talked for so long they had practically finished serving drinks by the time he finished. He just kept on thanking us all for flying AA.
 
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