facing ankle surgery

[CaminoKate0214]

Hi all,

I walked 100 miles of the Camino summer of 2015, loved it, got hooked, and came back with a very sore ankle. A year on, it just wasn't getting any better.

As some of you may know, my husband died this past August, so one of the very first things I did when I got his health insurance tranferred over to me was to go to the podiatrist. I knew I had peroneal tendonosis, but when the podiatrist looked at me again, he told me I had a gigantic peroneal tuburcle (bone growth/spur) that needs to be shaved down, as well as an osteochondrial lesion that needs to be taken care of.

So, along with walking the Camino of widowhood, I won't be walking much at all after January 6! I scored a fantastic round trip summer airfair, LAX to London, June 19 to July 31, for $500 round trip. Now I wonder if I'll be healed enough by then to hobble slowly around and see much of anything.

I'm 48, diabetic, overweight, and have always tended to heal slowly anyway. Not looking forward to this ankle surgery, but it must be done. Anyone else faced ankle surgery? Thoughts, experiences, anecdotes much appreciated.

Cheers,
Katie

 

[C clearly]

I haven't had ankle surgery, but am happy to see you back on the forum. Good luck with your challenges!

 

[nycwalking]

Check the Camino on hold thread. May St James call you back on the way, as soon as possible.

Ultreya

 

[Cayou]

Kate: My wife had ankle surgery about your age, it was the right move and in 6 months she was back to 90%. Keep the faith, and espically work on the diabetes as that can be really sacary. Hope to hear from you on a Camino somewheres.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Welcome back Kate.

No experience with ankle surgery although have spoken to several friends who have had various fractures and ailments. Their advice echoes mine from my experience of healing from a foot fracture last year:

• do everything you can diet wise and otherwise to ensure that you are in the best of health prior to as well as after surgery
• tell your medical team that you are walking the Camino in late June and ask for their assistance to help you meet this very important goal
• ask for an honest prognosis of surgery outcomes and access to whatever rehabilitation resources are available to you
• ask your rehabilitation team how they would treat an athlete undergoing your surgery and access these programs
• be gentle and kind with yourself during this Healing Camino
• be patient (ha! ha! play on words)
• if non-weight bearing and immobilisation is required post-surgery ask how you can minimise any adverse effects as this can add to the rehabilitation time e.g. hydrotherapy and massage to prevent stiffness and muscle loss
• all things are possible but the Camino will be there for you whenever you are ready so be sensible as well
• check the terms and conditions of your airfare and travel insurance if you have it to see if you can defer or cancel if you decide to
• if fit to travel but not to walk consider other options e.g. travelling by train to some of the Camino places en route to Santiago

Healing Caminos, like their namesake, are great unknowns... you can only do your best and then let go and let whatever will be Be...

I'm completely healed and up and walking long distances with a backpack again and I was told by many medical professionals that this would not be possible due to further damage from a delayed diagnosis. I did not have surgery but my foot was immobilised and non-weight bearing for 2½months.

Hope that your surgery goes well for you and that recovery is uncomplicated and timely. Stay positive. Keep us all posted on your prognosis and know that, just as on the Camino, you do not walk alone.

 

[HeidiL]

Remember that you can walk very short stages - or perhaps volunteer somewhere? Many albergues need help in the main season, and you will definitely feel connected to the Camino even if you're not walking.

 

[Alicemc]

Hi Kate,

I had an ankle reconstruction 3 months ago and will start my first ever Camino around 21 March 2017. It has been tough but I've recently started walking without a brace and other general exercise (I love boxing classes). At the start I feared I'd never walk again but I'm now exercising for the first time in over a year!

Bear in mind there are a few key milestones and despite feeling like you'll never make it, each one brings more mobility, freedom and strength. I don't know how different your surgery might be but in my case ther were: getting into a "moon" boot meaning you don't have to rely on two crutches (doing things for yourself!); putting pressure on your foot for the first time; getting into as brace and walking freely; and recently, driving, walking without a brace and being able to properly walk (I.e. Further than a kilometer!!).

With just under three months until I start I'm more confident than ever I can do it one of the best things I've done for myself is being meticulous and unwavering in rehab; my exercises take an hour a day and are, frankly, boring, but each week I notice how much stronger my ankle is getting and I know I will be thankful once I start my Camino.

After all that I am trying to convince myself that the end of the day, I'd rather start walking and have to stop than wonder whether I could have bone it. Never forget that you are stronger (physically, emotionally and mentally!) than you think

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I walked with two ankle braces, and was scheduled for ankle fusion surgery. I lost 60 pounds, and now have almost no ankle pain.

 

[VNwalking]

It's good to see you back, Kate. Sending you all best wishes for a successful healing Camino. As @Wokabaut_Meri shows, it isn't easy but can be done.

I lost 60 pounds, and now have almost no ankle pain.

You what? Wow, @Falcon, that's a huge inspiration.
Funny how we obsess over ounces but most of us probably don't want to think too hard about reducing body weight. (I'm guessing...based on the relative number of posts about drilling holes in toothbrush handles versus losing love handles)

I've had ankle troubles since my camino last year--it's there all the time, but is much worse when I walk with a pack--which is basically instant weight gain. Since the ankle started playing up, I've generally been less active (for several reasons) and have gained about 15 pounds. It's a feedback loop and and I don't like where it's going (the more I weigh the harder it is to exercise, the more I weigh the lazier I get...), but I haven't done much to get the weight off. It's definitely time to get moving on this, so I appreciate the inspiration!)

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi, Kate,
Roughly a month and a half ago I encountered health problems with nerv(es) in my left leg. Got completely scared after 30 years of not even saw a doctor apart from visiting my relatives in hospitals. But there's some improvement now and that's what is important. Your head. Keep the spirits high and I bet you'll walk Camino again.

Take care!

 

[kaixo]

Hope that your surgery goes well for you and that recovery is uncomplicated and timely. Stay positive. Keep us all posted on your prognosis and know that, just as on the Camino, you do not walk alone.

My sentiments exactly!

 

[KariC]

Hiked the camino w/ a replaced knee this past fall - not a whimper out of my knee. While rehab is essential, don't forget prehab - your surgery is soon, but do everything you can to be in the best shape possible before the surgery - it will improve your outcome and rehab considerably.
Buena suerte y buen camino.

 

[janet spencer]

Hi all,

I walked 100 miles of the Camino summer of 2015, loved it, got hooked, and came back with a very sore ankle. A year on, it just wasn't getting any better.

As some of you may know, my husband died this past August, so one of the very first things I did when I got his health insurance tranferred over to me was to go to the podiatrist. I knew I had peroneal tendonosis, but when the podiatrist looked at me again, he told me I had a gigantic peroneal tuburcle (bone growth/spur) that needs to be shaved down, as well as an osteochondrial lesion that needs to be taken care of.

So, along with walking the Camino of widowhood, I won't be walking much at all after January 6! I scored a fantastic round trip summer airfair, LAX to London, June 19 to July 31, for $500 round trip. Now I wonder if I'll be healed enough by then to hobble slowly around and see much of anything.

I'm 48, diabetic, overweight, and have always tended to heal slowly anyway. Not looking forward to this ankle surgery, but it must be done. Anyone else faced ankle surgery? Thoughts, experiences, anecdotes much appreciated.

Cheers,
Katie

Hi all,

I walked 100 miles of the Camino summer of 2015, loved it, got hooked, and came back with a very sore ankle. A year on, it just wasn't getting any better.

As some of you may know, my husband died this past August, so one of the very first things I did when I got his health insurance tranferred over to me was to go to the podiatrist. I knew I had peroneal tendonosis, but when the podiatrist looked at me again, he told me I had a gigantic peroneal tuburcle (bone growth/spur) that needs to be shaved down, as well as an osteochondrial lesion that needs to be taken care of.

So, along with walking the Camino of widowhood, I won't be walking much at all after January 6! I scored a fantastic round trip summer airfair, LAX to London, June 19 to July 31, for $500 round trip. Now I wonder if I'll be healed enough by then to hobble slowly around and see much of anything.

I'm 48, diabetic, overweight, and have always tended to heal slowly anyway. Not looking forward to this ankle surgery, but it must be done. Anyone else faced ankle surgery? Thoughts, experiences, anecdotes much appreciated.

Cheers,
Katie

Hi all,

I walked 100 miles of the Camino summer of 2015, loved it, got hooked, and came back with a very sore ankle. A year on, it just wasn't getting any better.

As some of you may know, my husband died this past August, so one of the very first things I did when I got his health insurance tranferred over to me was to go to the podiatrist. I knew I had peroneal tendonosis, but when the podiatrist looked at me again, he told me I had a gigantic peroneal tuburcle (bone growth/spur) that needs to be shaved down, as well as an osteochondrial lesion that needs to be taken care of.

So, along with walking the Camino of widowhood, I won't be walking much at all after January 6! I scored a fantastic round trip summer airfair, LAX to London, June 19 to July 31, for $500 round trip. Now I wonder if I'll be healed enough by then to hobble slowly around and see much of anything.

I'm 48, diabetic, overweight, and have always tended to heal slowly anyway. Not looking forward to this ankle surgery, but it must be done. Anyone else faced ankle surgery? Thoughts, experiences, anecdotes much appreciated.

Cheers,
Katie

Hi all,

I walked 100 miles of the Camino summer of 2015, loved it, got hooked, and came back with a very sore ankle. A year on, it just wasn't getting any better.

As some of you may know, my husband died this past August, so one of the very first things I did when I got his health insurance tranferred over to me was to go to the podiatrist. I knew I had peroneal tendonosis, but when the podiatrist looked at me again, he told me I had a gigantic peroneal tuburcle (bone growth/spur) that needs to be shaved down, as well as an osteochondrial lesion that needs to be taken care of.

So, along with walking the Camino of widowhood, I won't be walking much at all after January 6! I scored a fantastic round trip summer airfair, LAX to London, June 19 to July 31, for $500 round trip. Now I wonder if I'll be healed enough by then to hobble slowly around and see much of anything.

I'm 48, diabetic, overweight, and have always tended to heal slowly anyway. Not looking forward to this ankle surgery, but it must be done. Anyone else faced ankle surgery? Thoughts, experiences, anecdotes much appreciated.

Cheers,
Katie

Katie, courage girl! I had foot surgery June '16 am now back about 80 percent. At 66, it takes time, patience and perseverance to recover fully. I will do a solo first time Camino, being newly separated after 35 years. I'm lucky to have 10 weeks if needed. It's not a race after all... lol maybe we'll meet up along the way.