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I also did my knee in on the descent from S. Juan de la Peña. Didn't realize how much for a couple of days more, but my knee became terribly swollen and, of course very painful. I accepted a lift with a nice French lady, who, unable to walk herself, due to a recent operation, was accompanying three lady friends by car. One was a doctor and she insisted that I gave my leg a rest. I bought a knee support in Puente de la Reina and then continued walking, using two walking poles, with no further difficulty to Santiago.For the first time ever, I had knee pain after about three weeks walking. I am assuming it developed on the killer descent from San Juan de la Pena and then gradually built up over the next week or so, until it was actually hurting when we walked into Puente la Reina.
. Buen camino, Laufrie
I had a different experience. I limped into Pamplona with my first ever knee pain. I bought a knee strap at the first little village past Pamplona (the name escapes me right now) and the pain went away almost instantly. I continued to wear the strap that day and the next and never had any trouble after that.
I think that is why KT tape (not sure what it's called in Europe) has become so popular. Google it in videos and you will see an overview. Granted your condition being quite serious might not have responded, but I definitely have some in my pack. Hope you continue to heal nicely….For the first time ever, I had knee pain after about three weeks walking. I am assuming it developed on the killer descent from San Juan de la Pena and then gradually built up over the next week or so, until it was actually hurting when we walked into Puente la Reina.
I got a good knee brace and set out on the Invierno. I reduced my distances to stay under 30 and walked more slowly, so it was totally bearable but not enjoyable.
Once in Santiago, I was taking a walk with a friend on the lovely path along the Rio Sarela (just beautiful, hard to imagine you are a stone's throw from the city) and decided to take off the knee brace just to see how my knee felt without it. Surprise -- it felt much better WITHOUT the brace!
I've been home for almost three weeks. My ailment has been diagnosed as patellar tendonitis, nothing to do with the miniscus, and it is gradually decreasing. My PT expects a complete recovery. But for people with knee pain on the camino, I think the message is that you shouldn't be so quick to assume a knee brace is the right thing for you. Buen camino, Laufrie
Thanks, maggie, my PT has actually put some kineseo tape around my knee cap. I'm wondering whether the placement of the tape is the same for pitella tendon problems as for miniscus problems. (I don't really know what I'm talking about, but the fact that the brace didn't really help my pitella leads me to believe that different treatments may be warranted for different knee ailments, which makes sense to me). Buen camino, LaurieI think that is why KT tape (not sure what it's called in Europe) has become so popular. Google it in videos and you will see an overview. Granted your condition being quite serious might not have responded, but I definitely have some in my pack. Hope you continue to heal nicely….
I know about as much as you. When for the first time ever in my long life, my knee did a number on me, my PT used this tape. To the best of my understanding it works on the fascia. In my case there was some inflammation, but it was gone in two days and has been great even with all my training walks, but I'm still taking some with me. MaggieThanks, maggie, my PT has actually put some kineseo tape around my knee cap. I'm wondering whether the placement of the tape is the same for pitella tendon problems as for miniscus problems. (I don't really know what I'm talking about, but the fact that the brace didn't really help my pitella leads me to believe that different treatments may be warranted for different knee ailments, which makes sense to me). Buen camino, Laurie
I know about as much as you. When for the first time ever in my long life, my knee did a number on me, my PT used this tape. To the best of my understanding it works on the fascia. In my case there was some inflammation, but it was gone in two days and has been great even with all my training walks, but I'm still taking some with me. Maggie
For the first time ever, I had knee pain after about three weeks walking. I am assuming it developed on the killer descent from San Juan de la Pena and then gradually built up over the next week or so, until it was actually hurting when we walked into Puente la Reina.
I got a good knee brace and set out on the Invierno. I reduced my distances to stay under 30 and walked more slowly, so it was totally bearable but not enjoyable.
Once in Santiago, I was taking a walk with a friend on the lovely path along the Rio Sarela (just beautiful, hard to imagine you are a stone's throw from the city) and decided to take off the knee brace just to see how my knee felt without it. Surprise -- it felt much better WITHOUT the brace!
I've been home for almost three weeks. My ailment has been diagnosed as patellar tendonitis, nothing to do with the miniscus, and it is gradually decreasing. My PT expects a complete recovery. But for people with knee pain on the camino, I think the message is that you shouldn't be so quick to assume a knee brace is the right thing for you. Buen camino, Laufrie
To quote a quote I heard a while back "When I told you hello, I told you all I know!". I guess we both could go to Dr. Google.Thanks, maggie, my PT has actually put some kineseo tape around my knee cap. I'm wondering whether the placement of the tape is the same for pitella tendon problems as for miniscus problems. (I don't really know what I'm talking about, but the fact that the brace didn't really help my pitella leads me to believe that different treatments may be warranted for different knee ailments, which makes sense to me). Buen camino, Laurie
I don't know about downhill, but I sure use it for uphill. The kids in India (where I volunteer) showed me this when we were about to climb to a temple that had 108 steps!I read somewhere on here that the best way to go downhill and save your knees is to make your way down in a zig-zag way. I don't know if this works but I will be sure to try it on our Camino this September.
I read somewhere on here that the best way to go downhill and save your knees is to make your way down in a zig-zag way. I don't know if this works but I will be sure to try it on our Camino this September.
Exactly...., there is no possibility to zig zag down the track from S. Juan de la Peña. It's narrow, steep and rocky! But, yes, the visit was soooooo worth it.I have used the zig zag downhill method in the past, just because it seemed more sensible than plunging down steeply, but unfortunately on the way down from San Juan de la Pena there is absolutely no way to zig or zag, you are lucky if you can stay standing. But it was oh so worth it, so I don't mean to sound like I'm complainingLaurie
If tell me what 'skins' are I will tell you what a Canadian 'Toque' is (unless of course you are Canadian):>)I had knee pain and bought a knee brace too. And then I met an Australian woman who was wearing Skins, like cyclists wear. She said the Skins "hold everything together".I did away with the brace and wore the Skins and had no further problems. I have used them since when hiking and found them excellent.
Neils I have been training with some borrowed poles here in BC, (I am purchasing mine in St. Jean) and I agree. At first I thought "No way can I have my hands occupied all the time, then there was the constant clicking, even with the rubber tips on, which are not that good in loose gravel and other conditions anyway. The sound drove me bonkers, but when I stopped walking with them; voila! could I ever feel the difference. I am now a devotee' to be sure.I had som knee problems too, and only used a tube elastic band that I cut off at a reasonable lenght
I too have heard that very tight kneebands can be counterproductive to say runners.
I however felt that this kind of slightly looser elastic band kept my knees warm and thus gave me some relief.
From one that originally opposed to the use of walking poles, I however became a total convert as I pulled out my Leki Micro poles, bought for emergencies, and it duly saved my knees and my camino.
To relieve the stress going downhill you need to perform the four-legged animal gait and this dampens the thud on your wounded knee(s) as it it/they hit(s) the ground.
Stick your pole on a firm patch or ground or rock in front of you before taking the step. Works wonders, looks silly, but gets you hundreds of feet down in the end of the day so who cares.....
Skins are compression garments. Used a lot here in Australia by footballers, runners, etc. They area available in long tights, 3/4 length, a calf compression (sort of like long socks without feet) and there are also singlets and tops available. The compression helps with support, circulation and helps prevent lactic acid build up in the muscles.If tell me what 'skins' are I will tell you what a Canadian 'Toque' is (unless of course you are Canadian):>)
Toque is French term for either a tall hat for a chef or a small close-fitting cap which is often knitted and worn by seamen. Pilgrims today often wear such a cap.... - so, what is a toque?
Cathy
Neils I have been training with some borrowed poles here in BC, (I am purchasing mine in St. Jean) and I agree. At first I thought "No way can I have my hands occupied all the time, then there was the constant clicking, even with the rubber tips on, which are not that good in loose gravel and other conditions anyway. The sound drove me bonkers, but when I stopped walking with them; voila! could I ever feel the difference. I am now a devotee' to be sure.
Doctor diagnosis today was most likely tendonitis on inner knee. Seeing a therapist on Monday. I'll post back a separate post on regimen that I find out.
It settles the debate in my head about using one pole or two. Right now the more the better. The rubber tips did a lot to reduce the clicking.
I will just have to get used to having to hands full.
I did go for a five mile walk in the rain today to test rain gear and short gators.. Knee and gear both did well in a strong wind and rain. But, I did not go far or have hills.
I promise to separate posting on Monday for new topic for treatment.
Would you happen to have a photo of the knee strap?I had a different experience. I limped into Pamplona with my first ever knee pain. I bought a knee strap at the first little village past Pamplona (the name escapes me right now) and the pain went away almost instantly. I continued to wear the strap that day and the next and never had any trouble after that.
Hi Cher, just saw it further down the thread. A photo from REI….thanks.I had a different experience. I limped into Pamplona with my first ever knee pain. I bought a knee strap at the first little village past Pamplona (the name escapes me right now) and the pain went away almost instantly. I continued to wear the strap that day and the next and never had any trouble after that.
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