Back injury delay my camino

[Billy Buell]

I would be starting Le Puy route in May but I crushed 3 vertebrae in Feburary. I'm wondering if anyone has carried a back pack on a Camino after a similar injury. I never had surgery but am wearing a back brace until May then will start physio therapy. Is September potentially long enough to revover. L1 vertebrae was crushed the worst and was unstable. But healing is going well with alignment good. I don't have pain and I'm walking 5 km each day now. Does a 12 kilo back pack put lot of stress on a spine. Thanks for any insights. Billy

 

[Deleted member 67185]

"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast."

For recovery from serious injuries, that saying is very applicable. Pushing a recovery to hard and fast can make recovery take longer. Patience and persistence is key.

Yes, any loading of the spine will put stress on your injury. It will be vital to keep in detailed communication with your doctor. The question that is most important is whether the injury has developed sufficient knitting of the bone and ancillary support to carry that load for that distance for the number of hours per day you will need to do so. Only your doctor can answer that based on the available objective data that he sees, including radiography (direct contrast MRI, etc).

Keep in mind that whatever someone on this forum says about their own experiences, does not apply to you. It can be a type of guidance as to what is or isn't possible, but like snowflakes, no two injuries and outcomes are alike.

I wish you the very best, and hope that your recovery is swift and complete before September. My prayers are with you.

 

[Bradypus]

Several years ago I suffered a far less severe spinal injury with a prolapsed disc while walking with a pack of similar weight. Recovery was fairly quick and I have since made a couple of long (1000+ km) walks with similar weights. During those walks I was certainly aware of pressure on my lower back even with a well-fitting rucksack. Part of that may be slight paranoia I have also taken greater care not to repeat the experience! I wish you a swift and full recovery and much joy when you return to walking long-distance. I can only agree 100% with @davebugg that the only advice which really matters must come from your medical team who have all the facts and knowledge on hand. Pax et bonum.

 

[Michelle P]

I have severe arthritis in my neck and was only able to carry a day pack on both Caminos that I did

 

[Billy Buell]

"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast."

For recovery from serious injuries, that saying is very applicable. Pushing a recovery to hard and fast can make recovery take longer. Patience and persistence is key.

Yes, any loading of the spine will put stress on your injury. It will be vital to keep in detailed communication with your doctor. The question that is most important is whether the injury has developed sufficient knitting of the bone and ancillary support to carry that load for that distance for the number of hours per day you will need to do so. Only your doctor can answer that based on the available objective data that he sees, including radiography (direct contrast MRI, etc).

Keep in mind that whatever someone on this forum says about their own experiences, does not apply to you. It can be a type of guidance as to what is or isn't possible, but like snowflakes, no two injuries and outcomes are alike.

I wish you the very best, and hope that your recovery is swift and complete before September. My prayers are with you.

Thank you very much for your well thought out advice which I'm going to follow. I'll do as much as I can to get in shape but I expect September will be too soon so I realistically consider May 2019 as my Pilgrimage target. I'm disappointed but realize I'm lucky to still be walking. You were very kind to respond. I'll update you in the months ahead of my progress.

 

[Billy Buell]

Several years ago I suffered a far less severe spinal injury with a prolapsed disc while walking with a pack of similar weight. Recovery was fairly quick and I have since made a couple of long (1000+ km) walks with similar weights. During those walks I was certainly aware of pressure on my lower back even with a well-fitting rucksack. Part of that may be slight paranoia I have also taken greater care not to repeat the experience! I wish you a swift and full recovery and much joy when you return to walking long-distance. I can only agree 100% with @davebugg that the only advice which really matters must come from your medical team who have all the facts and knowledge on hand. Pax et bonum.

Thanks for the encouragement. Like I commented to Davebugg I'll let you know my progress in coming months.