Help! Knees dead in Gijon. Decisions..

[Sore Neculai]

Hi dear pilgrims.

As u might guess from the title I arrived yesterday in gijon and had to take a day off because my knees decided to die. I have weak knees ( but strong legs), I managed doing last year the Camino Frances without any problems just that yesterday before starting to walk I felt that my knees are extremely weak ( I had a meniscus surgery 16 years ago), they simply would not function and was worried that they might snap ( brake) by a simple movement. Still I managed to arrive in gijon... Took a day off but still no big improvement.

MY QUESTION IS ( for those of u who did the Camino del Norte not primitivo after gijon ): if a feel a bit better after an extra day off should I continue...??? Is the landscape as breathtaking as before oviedo (lots of coastal views, ocean, beaches) or better end it here and maybe do some bus trips around this area or go on bus to Portugal to see the ocean? For me it doesn't really matter this time if I reach Santiago ( I liked a lot more finnisterre and muxia anyway) and don't need an extra compostela. Just want to know if the landscapes after gijon on the Camino are a huge miss if I stop here.

Thank u guys

 

[spursfan]

Your knees are the only things that matter

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi dear pilgrims.

As u might guess from the title I arrived yesterday in gijon and had to take a day off because my knees decided to die. I have weak knees ( but strong legs), I managed doing last year the Camino Frances without any problems just that yesterday before starting to walk I felt that my knees are extremely weak ( I had a meniscus surgery 16 years ago), they simply would not function and was worried that they might snap ( brake) by a simple movement. Still I managed to arrive in gijon... Took a day off but still no big improvement.

MY QUESTION IS ( for those of u who did the Camino del Norte not primitivo after gijon ): if a feel a bit better after an extra day off should I continue... Is the landscape as breathtaking as before oviedo (lots of coastal views, ocean, beaches) or better end it here and maybe do some bus trips around this area or go on bus to Portugal to see the ocean? For me it doesn't really matter this time if I reach Santiago ( I liked a lot more finnisterre and muxia anyway) and don't need an extra compostela. Just want to know if the landscapes after gijon on the Camino are a huge miss if I stop here.

Thank u guys

You have to take care of your knees.
You will need them a lot longer than the walk you are almost to begin.
You have to listen to your body.
Wish you well and take care, Peter.

 

[dougfitz]

Get to see a doctor. Even if you feel better with rest you may still have an underlying condition that will flare up if not treated properly.

 

[alansykes]

MY QUESTION IS ( for those of u who did the Camino del Norte not primitivo after gijon ): if a feel a bit better after an extra day off should I continue...??? Is the landscape as breathtaking as before oviedo (lots of coastal views, ocean, beaches) or better end it here and maybe do some bus trips around this area or go on bus to Portugal to see the ocean? For me it doesn't really matter this time if I reach Santiago ( I liked a lot more finnisterre and muxia anyway) and don't need an extra compostela. Just want to know if the landscapes after gijon on the Camino are a huge miss if I stop here.

Thank u guys

Tthere are some spectacular sections along the coast on the camino del Norte west of Avilés. I especially liked the inland (now largely disused) section after Soto de Luiňa, with the sea far below on one side, and the Asturian highlands to your left - best done in good weather, and with fully functioning knees. Crossing the estuary of the Eo is pretty amazing as well. There are some nice towns en route, including Luarca and Ribadeo itself. Rather than continuing inland on the Norte after Ribadeo, I took the less well signed Ruta do Mar, which continues mainly along the north coast, joining the Camino Inglés near Ferrol.

So, at the risk of answering the question you asked: yes, the landscape is breathtaking and worth not missing, if you and your medical advisor are happy with the state of your knees. The pics are from near Soto de Luiña and crossing into Galicia.

 

[Isca-camigo]

Yes the views are breathtaking at times, but the asphalt never lets up and your knees wouldn't like that.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Did the pain go away on your training hikes? If so, they probably will improve with ice and NSAIDs.

 

[zzotte]

The answer rests with you, the Norte is up down hills and lots of asphalt, how heavy is your pack? See a dr as someone suggested and make your decision.

Zzotte

 

[t2andreo]

Follow the above advice if not already done. See a physician. Elevate the sore knee(s). Apply ice or heat as recommended by a physician.

When walking, I recommend you apply Voltaren ointment (following instructions) and use a pair of elastic knee support bandages (available at any farmacia). My knees are also very problematic as most of my meniscus cartilage is gone -removed by surgery over the years.

I had to end my Camino at Sarria this year, as a consequence of the knee issue, something similar in my ankles, and then my hips started to refuse to cooperate. So, I did feel your pain.

I hope this helps, albeit lately. I do hope you found a way to persevere and continue your Camino.

 

[ScaryB4Coffee]

I developed tendonitis along my shin to my ankle. Walked very slowly for a week and it got worse. I saw a doctor in Santander who said rest 2-3 days and put me on 600 mgs. ibuprofen every 8 hours and a tummy tamer. I'm extremely bored and will go nuts by tomorrow but I know my leg is not up to it yet. It's a bitch but it's my Camino.

 

[Sore Neculai]

Thank u all for the advices. I stopped walking the Camino as a pilgrim a day after asking u for advice and continued visiting the coast of Spain as a normal tourist. Right now I'm in Portugal and I am amazed how beautiful it is to be here. It's a pity that I didn't manage to continue walking but it's a total positive thing that because of that injury I got to see this country too. Porto is a mesmerizing city, Aveiro is a mix between Venice and Amsterdam. I will visit some Fishing villages too. So yeah...I did half the Camino in the traditional way and the rest, we'll in a more modern way, I not really Camino, but still beautiful because of the unexpectedly experiences and awesome places I got to see.

Thank u once again, you were awesome and extremely helpful

 

[Tincatinker]

I stopped walking the Camino as a pilgrim a day after asking u for advice ...I did half the Camino in the traditional way and the rest, we'll in a more modern way....

@Sore Neculai: Once a Pilgrim, always a Pilgrim - and a good decision made on good grounds. I'm glad that you are enjoying Portugal. Come back to the Forum whenever you feel inclined. And look after those knees: they will want to Camino again one day

 

[zzotte]

Thank u all for the advices. I stopped walking the Camino as a pilgrim a day after asking u for advice and continued visiting the coast of Spain as a normal tourist. Right now I'm in Portugal and I am amazed how beautiful it is to be here. It's a pity that I didn't manage to continue walking but it's a total positive thing that because of that injury I got to see this country too. Porto is a mesmerizing city, Aveiro is a mix between Venice and Amsterdam. I will visit some Fishing villages too. So yeah...I did half the Camino in the traditional way and the rest, we'll in a more modern way, I not really Camino, but still beautiful because of the unexpectedly experiences and awesome places I got to see.

Thank u once again, you were awesome and extremely helpful

It's all good, have fun, remember that the Camino start at home (wherever that may be) but really begins at the heart

Ps: I loved Braga

Zzotte