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
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