Medical escort services are often considered for patients with serious illnesses and medical conditions. But they can also provide vital assistance if you must travel after an injury. For example, a cracked sternum, spinal injury, or brain injury could make flying risky, especially over long distances. Having support from a medical escort for travel with an injury can help make sure you are as comfortable and safe as possible while traveling.
Here are several medical complications that can arise if you need to fly after an injury.
For broken bones. After a broken bone is set and cast, there is a risk of swelling, usually during the first 72 hours. That risk can increase in cramped quarters where you have little room to lift a limb to reduce swelling or when seated for several hours, which can cause blood to pool in the leg veins. If you must travel sooner than 72 hours, your doctor may need to split your cast to allow for swelling.
For torn ligaments. Swelling will be a concern, but so could overall discomfort from sitting for long periods of time, especially if you have a leg or knee injury. Also, consider how difficult it might be to get onto the plane if you are on crutches or have a carry-on bag.
For spinal injuries. It can be safe to fly after a spinal injury if you plan carefully. Of course, you should talk to your doctor first. You’ll want to discuss your risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and whether you should take medicine or wear compression stockings if you’re unable to move or stretch your legs because of your injury. If your doctor gives the OK, consider if a medical escort could help provide care and pain management during travel. A medical escort can help you get to your gate, get seated, and tend to medical needs that arise during your flight, for example.
For concussions and other brain injuries. A study of college athletes and military cadets, published in 2020, found no association between a slower recovery or worsening of symptoms after flying. But as with most injuries, check with your doctor before making travel plans. Even with a mild concussion, changes in cabin pressure or turbulence can worsen or lead to painful headaches.
Peace of Mind, Safety, and Comfort: How a Medical Escort Can Help
It’s hard to imagine all the things that become difficult to navigate if you have to fly with an injury. For example, flight attendants are advised not to stow carry-on bags for passengers in overhead bins because of their own risk of injury. Instead, you might have to ask a fellow passenger for help. Navigating airport security on crutches is challenging, and tracking down a wheelchair can be difficult if you don’t notify your airline first. Even if you do, there might not be a wheelchair available.
A medical escort can help you navigate such hurdles and will advocate for your comfort and safety. They can arrange to meet you at your hotel or a hospital, bring or secure a wheelchair for you to use, accompany you through TSA screening, assist you with boarding, and travel with you to your destination.
During the flight, they can help ensure your safety and comfort by administering supplemental oxygen and medicine, if needed, and assisting with exercises to promote circulation and relieve pressure.
Finding a qualified medical escort is important. At SentinelMED, our medical escorts are physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and nurse practitioners trained or experienced in emergency or travel medicine. They are skilled at solving travel-related challenges. SentinelMED's medical escorts are matched to individuals depending on their specific care needs, as well as any language or cultural concerns.
Other Medical Transport Services from SentinelMED
SentinelMED offers a range of medical transport services in addition to coordinating the services of medical escorts and non-medical escorts. Our experienced team also provides domestic and international medical transport and medical repatriation services, including for individuals with more serious or complicated medical concerns.
The SentinelMED team understands the complexity of delivering exceptional care to people who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
