Injury Fractured knee cap?

[Maggie Y]

Oh dear I've had a fall and have fractured my knee cap. My leg is in a full length pot. As there are lots of knowledgeable people on this website, how long does anyone think the rehab phase may be? I can weight bear but not allowed to bend my knee. I was hoping to walk the Camino Ingles this year .All suggestions welcome

 

[naplesdon]

What does your doctor have to say?

 

[Cayou]

The bone should fuse together in 4-8 weeks ... each side seeks each other leaching calcium, etc. Definately get some P/T with Dr. orders 8-12 weeks. If I was you, I'd make plans, but maybe not for May!?

 

[David]

Dang - yes, bone knit - if it knits (!) 6 to 8 weeks - but the secondary problem will be that your muscles will be weak and ligaments soft so any sudden "this feels fine, I can do this" feeling could lead to more bad news so I would suggest a talk to a sports physiotherapist about getting a regime together for when the bones have knit and doctors have given the all clear.

 

[Maggie Y]

What does your doctor have to say?

They say wear this pot for a month and then repeat appointment. I have only had one visit to fracture clinic so far. It's early days . Thanks

 

[naplesdon]

Listen to David's advice and your personal physio, IMO your doctor doesn't seem to understand your goals for healing quickly.

 

[TAF]

Oh dear I've had a fall and have fractured my knee cap. My leg is in a full length pot. As there are lots of knowledgeable people on this website, how long does anyone think the rehab phase may be? I can weight bear but not allowed to bend my knee. I was hoping to walk the Camino Ingles this year .All suggestions welcome

I fractured my kneecap 5 years ago. It took 2 months before the different braces came off. I am very fit but lost a lot of muscle on that leg which took time to build back up. I would say that it would depend how fit you are in the first place and when you want to walk the Camino. I would think August/September would be the earliest. I bought a spinning bike and cycled every day as soon as I was able to bend the knee enough to push the pedals and this really helped big style! Good luck, hope you manage to do the Camino.

 

[Maggie Y]

I fractured my kneecap 5 years ago. It took 2 months before the different braces came off. I am very fit but lost a lot of muscle on that leg which took time to build back up. I would say that it would depend how fit you are in the first place and when you want to walk the Camino. I would think August/September would be the earliest. I bought a spinning bike and cycled every day as soon as I was able to bend the knee enough to push the pedals and this really helped big style! Good luck, hope you manage to do the Camino.

Dear Taf and others
Thanks for all your comments. Yes hopefully the parts of the patella will knit together. I am at retiring age group and have osteoporosis but am relatively fit. I go to yoga and dance and Pilates based classes virtuall

 

[Maggie Y]

Virtually daily or did do. Now I'm restricted to walks with crutches in the unusual February sunshine which we have in the UK. I need to maintain some exercise I can see but will have to adapt things. I can lift my leg up which is good. Just keeping fingers and toes crossed and think September or October may have to be the earliest for Camino Ingles in short stages. Thanks for all your help

 

[TAF]

Virtually daily or did do. Now I'm restricted to walks with crutches in the unusual February sunshine which we have in the UK. I need to maintain some exercise I can see but will have to adapt things. I can lift my leg up which is good. Just keeping fingers and toes crossed and think September or October may have to be the earliest for Camino Ingles in short stages. Thanks for all your help

Good luck Maggie, you won't really get an idea until you can start bending it but hopefully your recovery will go well. Think about the cycling - it was brilliant for getting the knee moving properly and rebuilding lost muscle. All the best.

 

[Pam Scott]

Oh dear I've had a fall and have fractured my knee cap. My leg is in a full length pot. As there are lots of knowledgeable people on this website, how long does anyone think the rehab phase may be? I can weight bear but not allowed to bend my knee. I was hoping to walk the Camino Ingles this year .All suggestions welcome

So sorry to hear this. I broke my ankle at the beginning of November last year and have been totally frustrated by the length of time it's taken to get back to normal. I'm still seeing the physio and he's yet to give me the all clear for hill walking. Go easy on it better to take your time getting it right rather than pushing it and causing more damage. Good luck.

 

[Delphinoula]

Oh for all the bad luck mala suerte. I feel with you. My experience follow the doctor’s advise to the dot, then do your rehab with gusto. Everybody heals differently. I damaged my knee over 50 years ago and it stills throws me a curved ball once and awhile. But it’s a part of me.
Maybe it helps, if you take it this way:
Nothing happens without a reason. Some we think we can do without. So here my live saving story.
My daughter and me we went for a Burn’s dinner. We drove a good while and of course it was Winter and icy. When we left our car ,an old lady, did not start. Nobody around to jump my car. Finally a Lady came but alas we did not know where her battery was. So we waited some more and another car came and jumped us.
So off we go . Then of all things a heavy fog came up and I had to slow down. It was getting late. Soon the fog lifted I pushed the gas paddle, the engine stalled and we drove evan slower. We realy life very isolated. And no cell phone reception. Now sighing about our bad luck. We drove in our little village there is virtually no traffic there and nothing at late night. At the only intersection a car speeds through the intersection from the side my daughter was sitting. It missed us by a hair’s width. Had any of the mishaps after the dinner not happened my daughter would have been dead and I most likely too.
So now whenever I have a set back or a short cut which end up to be way longer I say to myself. This may save your life.

 

[t2andreo]

I recommend that you bank on what David tells you, other than your orthopedic doctor. David is our resident witch doctor (LOL) and roaming Camino EMT. But he is always correct.

My two cents, in addition, would be to train as much as you can, but only when your doctor says it's okay. Tell the doctor what you plan to do, what the terrain is like, and what you plan to carry, weight and method.

Then, when you do plan for the Camino, consider bringing a knee brace, topical sports pain creams, and an oral analgesic, like an arthritis-strength pain reliever. Alternatively, and with the cooperation of your doctor, consider a prescription strength pain reliever (e.g. 600 mg ibuprofen). Leave opioids at home...

As a point of reference, I am nursing two knackered knees with almost no meniscus remaining. I do regular weight and flexibility exercises to strengthen the ligaments and muscles supporting my knees to take some of the burden off the meniscus. I also use nutritional supplements intended to improve my joint health.

When I walk this May, I will be applying Luxoben Forte cream (Spanish sourced) before going to sleep each night to address aches and swelling. Each morning, "breakfast" usually includes 2 arthritis strength Tylenol (paracetamol) tablets, because I KNOW it is going to start to ache after an hour's walking on the Camino.

For me, these tablets last about six hours. That is perfect timing, as I arrive at my destination after 6 - 7 hours, and one does need to apply liberal doses of cold cerveza or vino tinto...

Hope this helps.

 

[Maggie Y]

Good luck Maggie, you won't really get an idea until you can start bending it but hopefully your recovery will go well. Think about the cycling - it was brilliant for getting the knee moving properly and rebuilding lost muscle. All the best.

Dear Taf
Thanks I LL definitely think about the cycling as hopefully this will be so somethinf I LL be able to do. Many thanks

So sorry to hear this. I broke my ankle at the beginning of November last year and have been totally frustrated by the length of time it's taken to get back to normal. I'm still seeing the physio and he's yet to give me the all clear for hill walking. Go easy on it better to take your time getting it right rather than pushing it and causing more damage. Good luck.

The time taken for recovery is frustrating but maybe we will be better for it if all 's well that ends well. I hope you are back to hill walking soon in preparation for your Camino x

 

[Vanozza]

Oh dear I've had a fall and have fractured my knee cap. My leg is in a full length pot. As there are lots of knowledgeable people on this website, how long does anyone think the rehab phase may be? I can weight bear but not allowed to bend my knee. I was hoping to walk the Camino Ingles this year .All suggestions welcome

Look into FSM (Frequency Specific Microcurrent) for accelerated bone and soft-tissue healing

 

[Pam Scott]

Dear Taf
Thanks I LL definitely think about the cycling as hopefully this will be so somethinf I LL be able to do. Many thanks

The time taken for recovery is frustrating but maybe we will be better for it if all 's well that ends well. I hope you are back to hill walking soon in preparation for your Camino x

Thank you, I hope you are on the way to recovery soon x

 

[OzAnnie]

Dear Taf and others
Thanks for all your comments. Yes hopefully the parts of the patella will knit together. I am at retiring age group and have osteoporosis but am relatively fit. I go to yoga and dance and Pilates based classes virtuall

Hi Maggie
I feel for you ! You can be comforted knowing that your regular (to date) yoga ,Pilates etc regime has over time strengthened your body. Easier process for a strong body to repair itself.
Wondering whether you are keeping up with necessary requirements for good bone and muscle strength/health?
@t2andreo mentions his above...check with your doctor or physio for what might help you.
When I fractured my ankle (earlier 60’s), I found I could aid recovery by ensuring my calcium intake was correct (or even higher in earliest recovery phase).....something that had been below daily requirements for many years!!! Sometimes it takes an injury for some people (me) to realise this is important when you’re young and healthy too)..
There are so many supplements recommended nowadays (too confusing) so ask your specialist for what’s best for you.
I take some of the daily supplements mentioned by T2andreo but I did not have suitable pain relief with me on camino.
Good luck with this recovery period.
Crutches are so dibilitating but “You can do it” !
See you on camino one day
Buen camino
Annie

 

[Maggie Y]

Dear Oz Annie
Thankyou for your response. I am overwhelmed with the response to my situation not only from this website but from friends and family. I have upped my calcium intake . Thankyou for your good wishes and it would be lovely to see you on the Camino Love Maggie

 

[Maggie Y]

I recommend that you bank on what David tells you, other than your orthopedic doctor. David is our resident witch doctor (LOL) and roaming Camino EMT. But he is always correct.

My two cents, in addition, would be to train as much as you can, but only when your doctor says it's okay. Tell the doctor what you plan to do, what the terrain is like, and what you plan to carry, weight and method.

Then, when you do plan for the Camino, consider bringing a knee brace, topical sports pain creams, and an oral analgesic, like an arthritis-strength pain reliever. Alternatively, and with the cooperation of your doctor, consider a prescription strength pain reliever (e.g. 600 mg ibuprofen). Leave opioids at home...

As a point of reference, I am nursing two knackered knees with almost no meniscus remaining. I do regular weight and flexibility exercises to strengthen the ligaments and muscles supporting my knees to take some of the burden off the meniscus. I also use nutritional supplements intended to improve my joint health.

When I walk this May, I will be applying Luxoben Forte cream (Spanish sourced) before going to sleep each night to address aches and swelling. Each morning, "breakfast" usually includes 2 arthritis strength Tylenol (paracetamol) tablets, because I KNOW it is going to start to ache after an hour's walking on the Camino.

For me, these tablets last about six hours. That is perfect timing, as I arrive at my destination after 6 - 7 hours, and one does need to apply liberal doses of cold cerveza or vino tinto...

Hope this helps.

I especially like your last paragraph and agree that cold cerveza or vino tinto always helps at the end of the day . Many many thanks . Hasta la vista

 

[Walli Walker]

Maggie, they’re a lovely bunch, our online camino family, aren’t they? X

 

[Maggie Y]

Dear Oz Annie
Thankyou for your response. I am overwhelmed with the response to my situation not only from this website but from friends and family. I have upped my calcium intake . Thankyou for your good wishes and it would be lovely to see you on the Camino Love Maggie

Are you the same Oz Annie I was in contact with about volunteering at Miraz or have I invented this?

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi Maggie
I don’t recall that contact. Did you sort it out?
I remember commenting somewhere that it was a CSJ Albergue
Annie

 

[Maggie Y]

• 
  

• Hi Maggie
  I don’t recall that contact. Did you sort it out?
  I remember commenting somewhere that it was a CSJ Albergue
  Annie

  I had an email earlier this year from an Australian Annie who's name is Ann Derrick about volunteering at the Hostal at Miraz. I realise there may be more than one Annie in Australia but wonder if by coincidence this is you. If so a contact of Les from UK . Best Wishes Maggie xx

 

[OzAnnie]

• 
  
• 
  I had an email earlier this year from an Australian Annie who's name is Ann Derrick about volunteering at the Hostal at Miraz. I realise there may be more than one Annie in Australia but wonder if by coincidence this is you. If so a contact of Les from UK . Best Wishes Maggie xx

Aah now it makes sense. I searched this forum and couldn’t find it but I hadn’t been thinking ‘away’ from forum. However, YES! I did email you Responding to the call for info on Les’ fb thread. I met Les on the Norte. He’s a great walker. I keep in contact with him and Runa (Runa used to check in on the forum on occasion too). It’s a small world! Thanks for connecting your name here to those friends.
Buen Camino and hope this knee and your recovery is timely. I’m sure Les (and his group of friends ) would be very helpful. Give them my best wishes.
Annie

Oh yes., whilst searching this forum earlier to find that reference ‘without luck’ — I did come across a comment on my Norte from ‘you’ congratulating “me” on completing the Norte in 2014. (What goes round comes round!!!). I also ended up as a small piece in les’ book re my fall ..

 

[Maggie Y]

Dear Annie

That is amazing. I met Les on el Norte as well. He called my friend and I the Yorkshire lasses. We met at a lovely hostel fairly early on and he's a great character. If I do the the training to be a histelera this will be to try and help me adjust to retirement which will probably be next year. I have loved my Camino and was lucky enough to get to Santiago last Sept. Best of luck with your Via de la P which I know you're doing soon Love Maggie xxx​

 

[Nanc]

PLEASE be careful everyone!
We love David but we are not her physicians., we have no know of the mechanics of her leg, other musculoskeletal issues nor the details of THIS specific fracture which may NOT be the same as any of the others who have shared their progress
suggest a second opinion but it (IMO) is not safe to tell someone to ignore their Doctor
and a Doctor may not fully grasp the motivation and drive behind someone's desire to be able to do a Camino as soon as possible but they cant MAKE an area heal faster than it is going to

 

[BShea]

Broke my knee cap on 26 Nov 2015 ("star" break). Doc put me on bedrest for 5 weeks. Told Doc that I already had my airline tickets for a camino walk in late April. He said no prob. Wore a leg brace if I had to move around, just in case. Went back for a check up at 5 weeks. All healed. Once I got the o.k., I was up and moving no problem. He told me that my knee was actually stronger now because of the calcium buildup. Knee didn't give me an ounce of trouble on the camino. Hope you have the same results. Buen camino.

 

[frida1]

I actually fractured my kneecap while walking the CP. I needed a brace and crutches. that was the end of that camino, but I was rid of the brace in about 5 weeks, and back to normal activities in about 6-7. After the injury, as soon as I was home (4 days), I started walking on the treadmill. I did it every day with the brace, starting with only a few minutes. I increased the speed and time incrementally every day until I was able to do some without the brace. Then I increased the amount of time without the brace, continuing to also do with the brace.

For the first weeks I felt more stable on the treadmill than walking outside.

I returned to finish my camino the following year.

 

[RuediG]

I recommend that you bank on what David tells you, other than your orthopedic doctor. David is our resident witch doctor (LOL) and roaming Camino EMT. But he is always correct.

My two cents, in addition, would be to train as much as you can, but only when your doctor says it's okay. Tell the doctor what you plan to do, what the terrain is like, and what you plan to carry, weight and method.

Then, when you do plan for the Camino, consider bringing a knee brace, topical sports pain creams, and an oral analgesic, like an arthritis-strength pain reliever. Alternatively, and with the cooperation of your doctor, consider a prescription strength pain reliever (e.g. 600 mg ibuprofen). Leave opioids at home...

As a point of reference, I am nursing two knackered knees with almost no meniscus remaining. I do regular weight and flexibility exercises to strengthen the ligaments and muscles supporting my knees to take some of the burden off the meniscus. I also use nutritional supplements intended to improve my joint health.

When I walk this May, I will be applying Luxoben Forte cream (Spanish sourced) before going to sleep each night to address aches and swelling. Each morning, "breakfast" usually includes 2 arthritis strength Tylenol (paracetamol) tablets, because I KNOW it is going to start to ache after an hour's walking on the Camino.

For me, these tablets last about six hours. That is perfect timing, as I arrive at my destination after 6 - 7 hours, and one does need to apply liberal doses of cold cerveza or vino tinto...

Hope this helps.

Whoa, strong doses of paracetamol and liberal doses of cerveza and vino are not a combination the dr. recommends. Have mercy on your liver! You might want to discuss this with your doc, if you haven't yet...

 

[t2andreo]

First, I carefully time the taking of acetaminophen (paracetamol) carefully. The label says six hours. I wait perhaps eight hours before imbibing ANY alcohol. Sometime I wait longer.

Second, and as a point of order, I do, in fact, have chronic liver disease. I have had it nearly my entire life. I take very expensive medication, and receive regular care and laboratory tests to ensure I am taking care of my liver. Any alcohol drinking I still do is infrequent, irregular, and at very low volume. I also limit it to beer, wine, and the very occasional cordial.

All joking aside, I am literally deadly serious about this. Yes, some would say, and indeed have opined, that I should NEVER touch alcohol again. But, even my specialist, the fellow who monitors my liver health, tells me that occasional social level drinking (with a meal [wine] or after being out on a hot day [cerveza]) is not going to be injurious. I know the boundaries and I respect them.

So, on balance, life is about the journey, NOT the destination. In this case, I KNOW the ultimate destination. After all, no one gets out alive. So, I am careful and not incautious. But, I do try to enjoy the journey...even if only a little bit sometimes.

Just as each person's Camino is different and personal, each person's methods of dealing with issues, including joint pain and chronic disease issues will be highly personal. I respect that. This said, check with your doctor(s) before doing a Camino. Follow their advice...well...as best you can.

Hope this helps.

 

[Marcus-UK]

Oh dear I've had a fall and have fractured my knee cap. My leg is in a full length pot. As there are lots of knowledgeable people on this website, how long does anyone think the rehab phase may be? I can weight bear but not allowed to bend my knee. I was hoping to walk the Camino Ingles this year .All suggestions welcome

On the Ingles there are a few steep climbs (Pontedeume, Hospital de Bruma) that may cause issue with a recovering Knee. You may wish to consider a short length of the Camino Portuguese from Tui instead. I think this route is flatter and you have the chance of the thermal spas at Caldas de Reis for a rest/treatment day

 

[Maggie Y]

On the Ingles there are a few steep climbs (Pontedeume, Hospital de Bruma) that may cause issue with a recovering Knee. You may wish to consider a short length of the Camino Portuguese from Tui instead. I think this route is flatter and you have the chance of the thermal spas at Caldas de Reis for a rest/treatment day

Hi Marcus
That sounds like a perfect suggestion. I really like the idea of the thermal spas. Also a friend who Id like to introduce to the Camino has knee problems as well, so this could be a good idea as she would struggle with climbing. Very good idea especially as it sounds as if the new route for El Ingles involves a lot more road walking. At the moment I'm walking with crutches around the house. Having short constitutional walks in local parks. In other words it's very early days yet and amazing how the mind wants to rush forward . I have to be careful not to run before I can walk or whatever the saying is and relish the current stage of recovery which mainly involves friends, flowers and tea parties. This forum has been a bit of a lifeline and I look forward to the weekly updates and so have decided to become a donating member. Thanks for your post.