Walking after knee replacement

[Rossco]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

 

[OzAnnie]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

Hi Rossco
Look on the bright side. You’re getting two ‘brand new’ knees. Obviously, you’ll take it easy to start and carry out the physio exercises daily. Doctors will be super cautious in their advice as is proper, but if you’re a walker already ., you’re miles ahead of others.
I had a reconstruction to my right knee in 2001 and although not a knee replacement —. (I think the replacement ‘package’ will be even better ).,
I followed physio exercises to the letter and was mobile almost immediately. I am careful though - I tend not to jump off rocks like I used to but actual walking is good for you and your recovery.
Plan your caminos ., I continue to do so.

Buen camino
Annie

 

[Rossco]

Hi Rossco
Look on the bright side. You’re getting two ‘brand new’ knees. Obviously, you’ll take it easy to start and carry out the physio exercises daily. Doctors will be super cautious in their advice as is proper, but if you’re a walker already ., you’re miles ahead of others.
I had a reconstruction to my right knee in 2001 and although not a knee replacement —. (I think the replacement ‘package’ will be even better ).,
I followed physio exercises to the letter and was mobile almost immediately. I am careful though - I tend not to jump off rocks like I used to but actual walking is good for you and your recovery.
Plan your caminos ., I continue to do so.

Buen camino
Annie

ThNks Annie

 

[RemysMimi]

I asked the same question on my Facebook page for APOC as I am planning to walk again next year and have been having some issues with my knees. I received lots of answers from people who had the replacement surgery as well as other types of knee surgeries and all replied with a resounding "yes". They were able to walk the Camino after surgeries.

 

[Rossco]

I asked the same question on my Facebook page for APOC as I am planning to walk again next year and have been having some issues with my knees. I received lots of answers from people who had the replacement surgery as well as other types of knee surgeries and all replied with a resounding "yes". They were able to walk the Camino after surgeries.

Thanks Remys Mimi. Good news.

 

[dougfitz]

I wouldn't have had the operation if I had thought I couldn't walk another pilgrimage, but I am yet to test how well it will work on longer, multi-day walks. My major concern is how long it will take to recover the level of walking fitness I need for that.

 

[VAtoNC]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

I had a full knee replacement on February 28 and will start my first Camino on September 7. My surgeon signed off on it and I fully expect my new knee to hold up! The pain I've had since surgery has nothing to do with the knee itself, but rather with the surrounding ligaments and tendons because it takes a long time for them to heal. After a long training hike I ice my knee and it's stiff in the mornings but it doesn't take very long for the stiffness to go away. It feels fine when I walk but after 6 miles or so I start to feel it so I just take some ibuprofen and keep going. Good luck with your surgeries and make sure you do your physical therapy exercises every day!

 

[Jo King]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

Yes, I have! At the age of 77 I walked from Burgos to Sarria, then onto Santiago !!!
Operation on half knee replacement November 2016, walked April to May 2017 and finished in September 2017.
In 2018 (aged nearly 78) I walked from SJPdP to Ponferrada. Next year - aged 80 - I will complete Ponferrada to Santiago. God willing .....

 

[John Coleman]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

Hi

 

[John Coleman]

Hi, I had a knee replacement and 18 months later walked from SPDJ to Finnisterre in 30 days. Take two iBrufen every day and you’ll be fine. Good Luck with it.

 

[JamesVT]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

I had bilateral knee replacement 10 months before I began my Camino this year. I was out of shape, 75 years of age, and began my trek in SJPP with the hike up to Orisson. My new knees performed superbly every step of the Way. I used hiking poles that help with balance and arguably takes weight of your knees and hips. I had also done my “recovery” exercises after surgery. I expect you will find your new knees will serve you well on your long trek. Just make sure that you do not overburden yourself with too heavy a pack, and you should be fine. (The advice of not exceeding 10% of your body weight is unhelpful and leads pilgrims to believe they can carry far more weight than they need. Try for a pack weight of under 12 to 14 pounds.)

 

[J F Gregory]

My wife's goal after a full knee replacement was to walk the Camino. It took about 18 months of rehab and training but we walked the Frances and plan on walking the Portuguese in 2020.

 

[Chris Gi]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

I had both knees replaced in January and am planning to walk Camino Frances next year. I am back in training - up to 12 miles this past weekend. I don’t plan to walk more than 10 - 12 miles a day on the Camino. I am a couple of months shy of 80 so if I can do it then I am sure that you can. Make sure to train and have the best shoes possible - both will help your new knees.
By the way - it is amazing to have knees that don’t hurt - you just realize other parts of your body are not too happy
Good luck and go for it.

 

[Moorwalker]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked th e Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

It takes a fair bit of time for things to heal and settle completely but there is no reason at all why you souldn't be able to walk your Camino. I reckon it took about 18 months before everything felt completely right again after my knee replacement, but I now trample up mountains perfectly happily. Most of the time I don't even notice that one of my knees is made from metal and plastic, it works better than the other one!

Do the exercises they give you, it really matters with knees if you want to get full flexibility in the joint. I can now sit cross legged on the floor again, and have almost normal flex.

 

[Richard Badder]

Hi Rossco
Look on the bright side. You’re getting two ‘brand new’ knees. Obviously, you’ll take it easy to start and carry out the physio exercises daily. Doctors will be super cautious in their advice as is proper, but if you’re a walker already ., you’re miles ahead of others.
I had a reconstruction to my right knee in 2001 and although not a knee replacement —. (I think the replacement ‘package’ will be even better ).,
I followed physio exercises to the letter and was mobile almost immediately. I am careful though - I tend not to jump off rocks like I used to but actual walking is good for you and your recovery.
Plan your caminos ., I continue to do so.

Buen camino
Annie

Hi I'm walking from SJPDP on September 3rd with both knee's replacement a year ago and my doctor said to go for it.Buen Comino

 

[Chris Gi]

It really is very important to go through with all the Physical Therapy even though it hurts like the dickens. My physical therapist told me that P.T. also stands for PAIN and TORTURE!!!!! - got to get those knees straight as well as the 120+ degree bend.

 

[Old Git]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

Hi, yes it is possible but you might have to re adjust the daily distances and if it swells there is plenty of ice in the bars haha.
Last year I did the Portuguese route with a replacement knee and a revision 15km/day.
Take it easy you will be fine.

 

[Denise McKay]

I have walked the Camino Frances in 2015, Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Finisterre in 2017 and in April started in Le Puy intending to finish in Pamplona but unfortunately had to abandon in Cahors to to osteoarthritis in both knees. A week ago I had partial knee replacement on my right knee and in 8 weeks I have the same op on my left knee. Has anyone walked the Camino after knee replacements or I was wondering if it is possible at all after surgery.

Hello, I walked the Camino from SJPP to Santiago in 2017 with my husband and my cousin. My cousin who is in his 60’s had a knee replacement in January 2017 and walked the Camino in Sept/Oct 2017. He was very happy with how his new knee performed.

 

[Sixwheeler]

When I had my partial knee replacement I had a guide book of walks in the Stubai Alps beside my hospital bed, partly for inspirational reading and part for forward planning. My surgeon was very amused and said that there was no reason why not BUT to allow enough time to recover and get trekking fit again. I was very fortunate in that I had very good and very vigorous post operative physiotherapy which has left me with practically full flex in my knee joint.

 

[Moorwalker]

It really is very important to go through with all the Physical Therapy even though it hurts like the dickens. My physical therapist told me that P.T. also stands for PAIN and TORTURE!!!!! - got to get those knees straight as well as the 120+ degree bend.

Mine calls herself a physio-terrorist. But you're absolutely right, for knees it really matters that you do the exercises. Mine is brilliant and I have almost normal bend, but an aquaintance who complained about how much it hurt and didn't do the exercises still uses a stick and tells everyone that knee replacements are a disaster.

 

[Moorwalker]

When I had my partial knee replacement I had a guide book of walks in the Stubai Alps beside my hospital bed, partly for inspirational reading and part for forward planning. My surgeon was very amused and said that there was no reason why not BUT to allow enough time to recover and get trekking fit again. I was very fortunate in that I had very good and very vigorous post operative physiotherapy which has left me with practically full flex in my knee joint.

I'm laughing now because I took in a book of Dartmoor walks. My surgeon told me that he loved it when people made good use of his handiwork and to send him a postcard if I went anywhere intresting.