BROWNCOUNTYBOB
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021
Preparing for our first camino frances in 2015, I read many books and consulted with the Camino Forum several times each day. In addition to the obvious guidance, regarding backpack selection, good hiking boots, etc the two most important Camino Rules I recalled were "Listen to your body" and "Walk at your own pace. We met a peregrina at the Logrono municipal (by the foot soaking pool) and she was hobbling badly. She had developed an injury to one of her feet, went to see a doctor and he strongly advised she stay off her feet for the next 5 to 7 days. She was quite upset since she would not be able to continue hiking with her pilgrim family.
Later during this camino, my wife's blisters caused her to walk differently, which progressed into foot pain. Fortunately we learned about Jacotrans and we began transporting her backpack ahead from Carrion de los Condes every day until we reached Santiago. Cindi's foot pain continued and when we returned home, she went to a doctor and learned she developed stress fractures in her knee and foot. Not too serious and she fully recovered.
No problems on second or third caminos. For our camino this fall, the pattern returned. First Cindi developed a few painful blisters on several toes. Then pain started developing in her right leg. The pain increased over time. We convinced ourselves that this was tendonitis or "shin splints" that high doses of ibuprofen would reduce the pain and swelling. We never considered going to a doctor. Then something changed for the worse in Palas de Rei. With only three more days of hiking until we reached Santiago, we continued hiking approx 20 kms per day for the next three days. We made it to Santiago and collected our compostelas, but Cindi could barely hobble even with her trekking poles. Other than leaving our hotel to get a COVID test, she barely left our room in Santiago. Same for Madrid except to enjoying grilled pulpo at our favorite, nearby restaurant. By the time we were in transit at the Miami airport, she needed a wheelchair. Same for our arrival in Indianapolis.
She immediately went to an orthopedic doctor. Cindi had developed a severe stress fracture in her tibia and one or two others in her right leg. The doctor told her to remain in bed for the next four weeks, use a wheelchair to get around, and use a bedpan to go to the toilet. Cindi said these were not feasible, but agreed to use crutches, a walking boot, apply ice frequently and spend all her time on the couch during the day. The doctor warned her that if she did not comply, surgery may be needed.
She went to a followup appointment. The bone is healing slowly and the doctor ordered Cindi to remain off her feet for another 4 1/2 weeks. Of course, she is not allowed to drive. So best case scenario is after her next appointment "if she can walk" Cindi will have spent 8 1/2 weeks confined to bed and couch which is several weeks longer than the time walking the camino.
Lesson learned about "Listen to your body". We did not and are paying the price. And the doctor said that with Cindi's history of stress fractures and treatment for osteoporosis, Cindi should not consider ever walking the camino again! So after hiking the camino four times with Cindi from St Jean to Santiago every two years, my next camino in 2023 will be solo. I will need to heed the important lesson myself.
Bob
Later during this camino, my wife's blisters caused her to walk differently, which progressed into foot pain. Fortunately we learned about Jacotrans and we began transporting her backpack ahead from Carrion de los Condes every day until we reached Santiago. Cindi's foot pain continued and when we returned home, she went to a doctor and learned she developed stress fractures in her knee and foot. Not too serious and she fully recovered.
No problems on second or third caminos. For our camino this fall, the pattern returned. First Cindi developed a few painful blisters on several toes. Then pain started developing in her right leg. The pain increased over time. We convinced ourselves that this was tendonitis or "shin splints" that high doses of ibuprofen would reduce the pain and swelling. We never considered going to a doctor. Then something changed for the worse in Palas de Rei. With only three more days of hiking until we reached Santiago, we continued hiking approx 20 kms per day for the next three days. We made it to Santiago and collected our compostelas, but Cindi could barely hobble even with her trekking poles. Other than leaving our hotel to get a COVID test, she barely left our room in Santiago. Same for Madrid except to enjoying grilled pulpo at our favorite, nearby restaurant. By the time we were in transit at the Miami airport, she needed a wheelchair. Same for our arrival in Indianapolis.
She immediately went to an orthopedic doctor. Cindi had developed a severe stress fracture in her tibia and one or two others in her right leg. The doctor told her to remain in bed for the next four weeks, use a wheelchair to get around, and use a bedpan to go to the toilet. Cindi said these were not feasible, but agreed to use crutches, a walking boot, apply ice frequently and spend all her time on the couch during the day. The doctor warned her that if she did not comply, surgery may be needed.
She went to a followup appointment. The bone is healing slowly and the doctor ordered Cindi to remain off her feet for another 4 1/2 weeks. Of course, she is not allowed to drive. So best case scenario is after her next appointment "if she can walk" Cindi will have spent 8 1/2 weeks confined to bed and couch which is several weeks longer than the time walking the camino.
Lesson learned about "Listen to your body". We did not and are paying the price. And the doctor said that with Cindi's history of stress fractures and treatment for osteoporosis, Cindi should not consider ever walking the camino again! So after hiking the camino four times with Cindi from St Jean to Santiago every two years, my next camino in 2023 will be solo. I will need to heed the important lesson myself.
Bob