The Steps to Take if You Break Your Leg on Vacation

Suffering a broken leg can quickly turn a fun vacation into an uncomfortable ordeal. If you find yourself with a broken leg while traveling, don’t panic. Follow these steps to ensure you receive proper care and make it safely back home. 

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you suspect you’ve broken a bone in your leg, it’s crucial to seek medical care right away. Look for the nearest hospital or urgent care center so a doctor can evaluate your injury, provide pain relief, and immobilize your leg. If it’s a serious open fracture, call for an ambulance.

The doctor will likely order X-rays to confirm it’s a fracture and determine if the broken bone is aligned properly or requires resetting. They may splint or cast the leg to keep it stable until you can see an orthopedic surgeon. Prompt medical care can prevent complications and long-term issues.

Inform Your Travel Companions

Notify any family, friends, or group you are traveling with about your injury. They can provide moral support and assist with tasks like contacting your insurance provider, booking accommodations, and handling your luggage. Appoint one person to serve as the main point of contact to coordinate next steps.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Contact your health insurance company to understand your coverage for emergency medical treatment on vacation. Ask about your plan’s deductible, copays, and policy on out-of-network providers. Inquire if you need pre-approval for procedures or medical transport.

Confirm whether your travel or trip insurance has emergency medical benefits, evacuation coverage, and protections if you must cancel the remainder of your trip. This coverage can be invaluable if you need significant medical care away from home.

Consider Medical Transport Options

If you’ll require surgery for your broken leg, discuss options for getting home safely with your orthopedic surgeon, insurance company, and loved ones. While traveling on a commercial plane with a leg cast or splint is possible, it’s extremely uncomfortable and may be prohibited.

RN medflights can be hired to help patients safely get to their destination when injured abroad and should be considered if you need to return home for surgery. Other options are ground medical transport or air ambulance services equipped to transport injured patients.

Book Accommodations for Recovery

Since flying right after breaking your leg is difficult, you’ll likely need to stay put for some recovery before traveling home. Contact your hotel, cruise line, tour group or rental property to extend your stay if possible.

Otherwise, look for an accessible hotel room, suite, or vacation rental where you can elevate your leg and have help with tasks. Opt for accommodations near your treating hospital or orthopedic surgeon. Make sure you have enough medications to manage the pain until you can go home.

Ask for Help Making Arrangements

Don’t try to handle all the logistics alone of extending your stay and getting home safely. Ask family members to contact your employer, take care of bills and home-related tasks. See if they can book your return flight when you have a firm date. Friends on the trip can help with day-to-day needs.

Try not to let a broken leg ruin what remains of your vacation time. Follow the doctor’s orders for healing and make the most of the journey home. Focus on recovering smoothly so you can adventure again another day! With proper self-care and patience, your leg will be back to full strength.