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Injuries ??

Time of past OR future Camino
Next - 2025
I'm very surprised that after walking the 800km of Frances my unjury is wrecked shoulders! Rotator Cuff tendonitis from trekking poles (which I loved and wouldn't do without). They will eventually recover with continued physio. I hadn't prepared or even thought of this.
Any other odd / unexpected injuries ?? Maybe might help someone's prep.
 
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I had shoulder issues too. Within two days of starting in SJPP, I noticed an ache in my left shoulder. Over the next while, I adjusted my pack straps every which way but nothing helped and I learned to just live with the discomfort. Eventually, after 21 days I developed the most debilitating tendinitis in my left shin – was told by the doctor to bus to Leόn and rest my leg. Five days later I managed to continue my Camino, but with considerable discomfort (until I met up with a very kind peregrina who passed along to me some of her prescription topical ointment which cleared up my tendinitis practically overnight). Even with my little day pack (I sent my big pack ahead by transport after Leόn) my shoulder continued to bother me.

Weeks later, after I had returned home and my shoulder was still bothering me, I went to my physiotherapist. It seemed that there was a muscle in my shoulder that wasn’t working right, which caused me to adjust my gait, which my physio figured triggered the tendinitis in my shin. Even now, almost a year after my Camino, I still feel a little ‘crick’ (but no pain) in that shoulder when I make certain movements. Guess I should stick with those shoulder exercises …:oops:

After I developed the tendinitis, I used my poles every step of the way to ease the pressure on my legs, but they did not bother my shoulders at all. Strange …... Guess I was lucky.
 
I am having rotator cuff problems too. Shoulders did not bother me while walking but two months later my left shoulder is still very painful. My pack was very light (15 pounds), I didn't think about my trekking poles causing the problem!
 
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Long straight stretches at the same pace are what contributed to my hip tendonitis (had to walk around the hotel room on all fours!) Am thinking when I continue in three months time that should the road be long straight and flat in places that I should stop, run round in circles and jump up and down to stop the repetative movements? Do hope this will help - and I will drink more....water that is.
 
Rotator Cuff tendonitis from trekking poles
About the only thing that does not irritate my torn rotator cuff is the trekking poles. Putting on a pack, shirt, or coat hurts. Drying after a shower hurts. Opening a window hurts. The Pacer Poles are quite comfortable. There may not be a connection between rotator cuff injury and trekking poles. It may depend on where the tear is...
 
I ruptured my calf muscle.
It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

The old me would have kept going until I fell into a ditch.

On my Camino I learnt that the world doesnt end if you need to stop.
For some people they learn that they can endure...they can walk that far. I knew I could do that. The Camino was easy compared to what I have over come. But what I learnt is how to stop and be gentle with myself for the first time in my life. It still makes me cry when I remember the moment when it clicked.

Although...I could have done without the pain. My gosh...when my leg blew I swear I saw little stars circling around my head.
How wonderful that you were able to turn your injury into something positive. I so very much needed / wanted my walk that I think I would have been devastated if I had had to abandon my Camino because of my injury. I am still so very grateful to my angel peregrina (from Alberta, Canada who along with her husband had been watching out for me for two days after she learned of my injury just so that she could pass along to me her prescription medication). Bless their hearts!

Yet you learned to be grateful for your injury. It is wonderful to see that there is something good in everything that happens. I always say that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes it just takes awhile for the reason to become apparent.

Thanks for sharing your story.
 
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I walked about 1000 miles preparing to walk the c\Camino with little or no problem--I was surprise that after my trek over the Pyrenees that one of my knees started causing me problems--I had no knee problems for over 30 years. As for pacer poles--they did indeed help and I wouldn't of made the trip without them--however when I first started the Camino, my hands and shoulders did ache and I was surprised by this.
 
The old me would have kept going until I fell into a ditch.

On my Camino I learnt that the world doesnt end if you need to stop.
For some people they learn that they can endure...they can walk that far. I knew I could do that.

Pretty powerful isn't it? I can relate to your story big time! After 3 weeks walking the Vía de la Plata (10 days with pain) I was literally stopped in my tracks. There was no way that I could take another step. How I made it to the emergency ward of the hospital in Zamora is amazing. Outcome: 3 fractures (pelvis in 3 places on the left, tibial plateau on the right and a metatarsal fracture left foot). The trauma surgeon back home (evacuated by ambulance/plane) was dumbfounded to say the least. How was it possible to walk? You get the picture. Sometimes drastic events are required to change.

I look back at my surgery and 9 month rehabilitation process as a gift. In fact I remember the first 5 days in isolation (procedure from foreign hospital to avoid MRSA risk) was heaven. For the first time in a very long time I didn't (couldn't!) do anything but rest. I had time - and took the time - to reconnect with friends and family. People were amazed at how upbeat and relaxed I was despite being bedridden!

I have indeed learned to be 'milder' with myself and in turn with others. But I still sometimes need to be reminded.
Every painfree step for me is a gift. And every arrow I pass a reminder.

p.s. fractures were due to a combination of stress fractures and undiagnosed osteoporosis.
 
I have yet to walk the Camino without any injuries and each time I end up limping into Santiago, which has put paid to my plans each year to walk to Finisterre. I acquired an inflamed retinaculum walking up to OCebreiro on the first Camino and had physiotherapy, and a cortisone injection when I got home, and I still do exercises for it . The next year I developed a terrible blister from expensive shoes that didn't take too kindly to the torrential rain. It became infected and I hobbled into Santiago. Last year I got blisters under both feet in the last 115 kms, and again hobbled into Santiago - as a result I ended up with an inflamed ITB and bursitus, and once again a cortisone injection and more exercises. This year I am really hoping that I will walk into Santiago injury free and manage to walk to Finisterre finally.
 
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Beautiful!!!! You expressed in those words better than I ever could how I felt.

I hope you have healed up ok.?

Big hug!!!!

Thanks @Lise T ! I am sending you a virtual hug back:)! I also hope that you have recovered well.

After much training and guidance (physiotherapists that kept me in check when I fell back into my old ways) I was able to return to the Camino a year later - albeit shorter. Since then I have been back twice and am now planning my 6th Camino. But I still keep a promise to myself: no pain-relief, no matter what! I need that feed-back to know how I am doing and luckily enough I haven't needed it. Finally I am actually listening to the advice that I have given my patients for years (you see I too am a physiotherapist)!

@jennysa : good to see you on the forum again. I hope that you will make it to Santiago pain-free this year allowing you to continue on to Finisterre! Are you taking another group or walking yourself?
 
Hi all,
We've got about just over 2 weeks training left and I've got really bad muscle spasms going on on my right shoulder girdle and my back has seized up a bit. Been walking 10-12 miles every other day and wondering is this will be enough to see me through if I don't get out much in the next week. Any advice welcome. Going to see a doc today.
G
 
WOW! As a newbie can ready for my first Camino (of hopefully many more), these injuries create some concern and I think that even if I have to reboot my flights, I plan to take it step by step and not make unrealistic expectations on myself. (This is what I will keep telling myself!).

Kris
 
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