Right quad pain, ok to push through or something to be worried about?

[Johnnnyk]

I am about three weeks out on the Norte averaging close to 30 to 35 kms and at this point aside from blisters, I haven’t had a lot of physical issues. I have one week left with a flight booked home and unfortunately don’t have a lot of flexibility. Unless I want to bus through stages which I’d really like to avoid.

Yesterday I noticed my right quad tightening towards the end of my walk. Today I climbed 1200m felt fine but then the pain really increased as I attempted to go downhill. It’s not a sharp pain but it’s just real tightness.

I haven’t been using polls other than the dirt path when slippery, but I am using it now. Will get some rubber stops in the next town to make it easier to use on the road.

The pain is noticeable but not excruciating and it’s just making me move gingerly on the downhills.

Aside from stretching and leveraging my poles. Is there anything I should be considering or thinking about?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Try and locate a physio or similar in the next town you come to and get some professional advice. If it's just general muscle tightness you could always try getting a massage, but if it persists I'd be looking for professional assistance

 

[timr]

Exactly as @Peterexpatkiwi says.

As you have come to the point where you realise you need help, you should seek professional help. Now. A pharmacy will be able to direct you to a clinic or a physio.

It continues to baffle me (as a physician) that (well meaning and generous) people are so willing to give medical advice to someone they have never set eyes on. I would never take advice from someone who had not examined me, and likewise would never give it.

I hope you can get it sorted soon.

 

[verar]

Good advice given so far. Also take into account that when you have an injury that makes you adapt the way you walk, this compensation is likely to cause further injuries, often on the other side of the body. Once you start noticing you 'walk different' - seek help!

 

[Kathy F.]

That sounds like alot of kilometers a day, especially on that route, and mostly without hiking poles.
I bet you’re going to need at least one rest day.
I agree with all the above advice. Don’t worry, the Camino isn’t going anywhere.

 

[falconbrother]

I find that sometimes a knee wrap helps.

 

[LTfit]

It does surprise me when people ask advice here on the Forum about a musculoskeletal problem. I'm a physiotherapist but rarely give my opinion without first examining someone. There could be a number of reasons for your complaint. My advise as others have said is to see a professional.

Hope that you can solve the issue and continue your Camino.

That sounds like alot of kilometers a day, especially on that route, and mostly without hiking poles.
I bet you’re going to need at least one rest day.
I agree with all the above advice. Don’t worry, the Camino isn’t going anywhere.

Some of us are used to walking those distances even on hilly or mountainous terrain, it is really very individual. IMHO without having a diagnosis one really can't give suitable advice.

 

[Johnnnyk]

It does surprise me when people ask advice here on the Forum about a musculoskeletal problem. I'm a physiotherapist but rarely give my opinion without first examining someone. There could be a number of reasons for your complaint. My advise as others have said is to see a professional.

Hope that you can solve the issue and continue your Camino.



Some of us are used to walking those distances even on hilly or mountainous terrain, it is really very individual. IMHO without having a diagnosis one really can't give suitable advice.

Yeah, I hear you. It’s just really hard, especially towards latter half of the Norte to find professional advice.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Yeah, I hear you. It’s just really hard, especially towards latter half of the Norte to find professional advice.

As mentioned above go to the first pharmacy you come across, they know where pretty much everybody is and who they are. The pharmacists are amazing.

 

[Dave2525]

I experienced some pain around my knee area and thought for sure I was done. One of the people in my group had diclofenic which totally took of things. I stocked up at the next pharmacy and it took me all the way to the end.

 

[timr]

I experienced some pain around my knee area and thought for sure I was done. One of the people in my group had diclofenic which totally took of things. I stocked up at the next pharmacy and it took me all the way to the end.

I don't want to appear too negative, and I am very glad @Dave2525 that you had a good outcome.

For myself, I would not take medicines from anyone who could not tell me, without having to resort to Google, the common and the dangerous side effects of any medication they were recommending, and also assure me they would not interact with whatever other medicines I was taking at the time. But that is just me!

That is exactly what health professionals are for.

 

[SabsP]

I don't want to appear too negative, and I am very glad @Dave2525 that you had a good outcome.

For myself, I would not take medicines from anyone who could not tell me, without having to resort to Google, the common and the dangerous side effects of any medication they were recommending, and also assure me they would not interact with whatever other medicines I was taking at the time. But that is just me!

That is exactly what health professionals are for.

Exactly!
I was under the supervision of a specialist when I first had to take an NSAID. It was quickly clear I reacted with an allergy so he immediately told me to stop taking it.

Now I am even super aware when taking something over the counter like Rhinofebryl.

 

[TashH]

I have, on a number of occasions, had severe quad pain (cramp type pain) specifically when walking downhill that doesn’t seem to be a problem when walking uphill and it was related to hydration. While at the pharmacy, get some electrolytes to add to your water and increase your water intake. And seek professional help if able

 

[Rita Flower]

Hi @Johnnnyk
I’m sorry to hear about your injury. You have walked a lot of km’s in a short time. Wow!
However I don’t think anyone should ever ‘push through’ a pain message. Seek medical help if available.
My understanding is that muscles need recovery time which could look like short gentle days or days off.
I understand that you want to walk every step but know that it might not be possible this time.
Be gentle on the body - you will need it for many years (and Caminos) to come.
Blessings

 

[Mananath]

I wonder if this is related to your earlier shoe issues and the blisters on the side of your feet. Perhaps trying to avoid the blister pain led to you subconsciously change your walking gait which has stressed your muscles.

That being said, I am not a doctor!

 

[LTfit]

I don't want to appear too negative, and I am very glad @Dave2525 that you had a good outcome.

For myself, I would not take medicines from anyone who could not tell me, without having to resort to Google, the common and the dangerous side effects of any medication they were recommending, and also assure me they would not interact with whatever other medicines I was taking at the time. But that is just me!

That is exactly what health professionals are for.

Indeed! Especially in Spain where medication such as Diclofenac is given over the counter (in The Netherlands you must have a prescription). Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Diclofenac is absolutely contraindicated if you are on blood thinners. Paracetamol on the other hand is not.

 

[Johnnnyk]

I have, on a number of occasions, had severe quad pain (cramp type pain) specifically when walking downhill that doesn’t seem to be a problem when walking uphill and it was related to hydration. While at the pharmacy, get some electrolytes to add to your water and increase your water intake. And seek professional help if able

This is really helpful, other muscles on body felt a little twitchy. Eating a ton of Bananas today and electrolytes

 

[Rita Flower]

This is really helpful, other muscles on body felt a little twitchy. Eating a ton of Bananas today and electrolytes

And magnesium for twitchy muscles - a much needed mineral for all muscle health - including the heart muscle - and in which we seem to be in short supply these days as we age and as soils are depleted.

 

[WGroleau]

Try and locate a physio or similar in the next town you come to and get some professional advice. If it's just general muscle tightness you could always try getting a massage, but if it persists I'd be looking for professional assistance

My wife had a lot of pain and the local clinic charged us nothing for a consult and a prescription for tramadol. We did of course have to pay the pharmacy, but that’s all. I don’t know whether this is a general thing in Spain. Also can’t remember whether she spoke to them in English or whether I interpreted.

 

[LTfit]

My wife had a lot of pain and the local clinic charged us nothing for a consult and a prescription for tramadol. We did of course have to pay the pharmacy, but that’s all. I don’t know whether this is a general thing in Spain. Also can’t remember whether she spoke to them in English or whether I interpreted.

If you showed a EU insurance card (on the back of mine is a EU flag and a telephone number for Euro cross) then you should not be charged. Medication is something else.

By the way, tramadol is a much stronger painkiller than paracetamol or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory as Diclofenac as it is an opiate. I'm surprised that it was prescribed. On the other hand it is unfortunately the only step up after paracetamol for people on blood thinners. It is also my experience that Spain prescribes medication easier than here in The Netherlands. Foreigners often complain that they are given paracetamol for whatever complaint they have!