Knee Replacement Surgery & Camino Portuguese

[Lindyloo]

Hi, couple of years ago, i walked Sarria to Santiago - twice. Then knee problems started. Jump forward to end of April this year, and i had a new knee fitted. I’ve booked to do Sarria -Santiago again next May with some friends who haven’t been before. I have this huge desire to do a whole Camino - so next July i am going to walk Portuguese Camino Coastal alone from Porto! I know I’m asking a lot from my body, i have at leat 3 stone to lose, and recovery from major surgery and next year i will be 66. BUT - i need goals and i so want to do it. I will get my luggage transported and my days will be short 10-15k. Im very interested to hear from anyone else who has had TKR - i am still in some pain - but its passing and my surgeon said to go for it (when i mentioned the Sarria -Santiago route) he says the knee is doing well, i have great range of movement but little strength.

 

[DanielH]

I had total knee replacement in November 2022 at age 63 and walked the Portuguese Camino from Porto to Santiago in September 2023 without any problems other than blisters. I didn't experience any knee pain. Just listen to your body. Buen Camino

 

[Grousedoctor]

Hey Lindyloo. It sounds like you already have some very good ideas for your July ‘25 Camino. I agree with you that having goals can make all the difference as your plans move forward.

Having been one who at one time was getting regular cortisone shots in my knees, I empathize with your situation. The one thing that helped me more than anything else was weight loss as it took some of the stress off my knees.

You’ve chosen a good route. When my wife and I walked the Central Route, she had terrible knee problems due to days of walking on the cobblestones in Portugal. You don’t have this on the Coastal Route. It’s actually quite easy walking. Nonetheless, as you already have planned, use a luggage transport service (we last used TOP Santiago). They were very reliable and eased the weight issue on the legs when walking a long distance. Further, your daily distance of 10-15 km sounds most reasonable. So, as your surgeon said to go for it, I’d encourage you to do so as well. Bom Caminho!

 

[HeidiL]

I got a new knee in October last year and walked a week in February and another in April this year. I shortened my stages a bit, but on the whole, things went fine.
I love my titanium knee!

 

[Tincatinker]

i have at leat 3 stone to lose

That should be your absolute focus. The difference it will make to your life will astound you.

Buena suerte

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Hi, couple of years ago, i walked Sarria to Santiago - twice. Then knee problems started. Jump forward to end of April this year, and i had a new knee fitted. I’ve booked to do Sarria -Santiago again next May with some friends who haven’t been before. I have this huge desire to do a whole Camino - so next July i am going to walk Portuguese Camino Coastal alone from Porto! I know I’m asking a lot from my body, i have at leat 3 stone to lose, and recovery from major surgery and next year i will be 66. BUT - i need goals and i so want to do it. I will get my luggage transported and my days will be short 10-15k. Im very interested to hear from anyone else who has had TKR - i am still in some pain - but its passing and my surgeon said to go for it (when i mentioned the Sarria -Santiago route) he says the knee is doing well, i have great range of movement but little strength.

Don’t forget about hiking poles. They take a significant amount of weight off your legs. I love my “ “pacer poles” if they are in your budget.

You know the drill. Just start walking as much as possible with as much weight as you can carry. I had a total hip replacement, and after a year I barely noticed it. Knees are worse, but you've got time…

 

[Gobsmacked by the World]

Jumping in late to this convo… has anyone done a longer path, like the CF with a knee replacement? I am hovering towards that, and have a doctors appointment mid-October to discuss this, as I’ve been getting a lot more grief than usual from my right knee. I am very spooked about it though tbh.

 

[David Tallan]

Jumping in late to this convo… has anyone done a longer path, like the CF with a knee replacement? I am hovering towards that, and have a doctors appointment mid-October to discuss this, as I’ve been getting a lot more grief than usual from my right knee. I am very spooked about it though tbh.

Yes. Many have. You may find this thread useful.

 

[AlanSykes]

This was my progression back up to 17,000 steps per day in the 30 days after my second knee replacement operation. And 6 months later I was very comfortable doing ~1000km from Montserrat to Santiago. Such a pleasure after a couple of slightly slow slightly painful caminos.

 

[vwzoo]

Hi, couple of years ago, i walked Sarria to Santiago - twice. Then knee problems started. Jump forward to end of April this year, and i had a new knee fitted. I’ve booked to do Sarria -Santiago again next May with some friends who haven’t been before. I have this huge desire to do a whole Camino - so next July i am going to walk Portuguese Camino Coastal alone from Porto! I know I’m asking a lot from my body, i have at leat 3 stone to lose, and recovery from major surgery and next year i will be 66. BUT - i need goals and i so want to do it. I will get my luggage transported and my days will be short 10-15k. Im very interested to hear from anyone else who has had TKR - i am still in some pain - but its passing and my surgeon said to go for it (when i mentioned the Sarria -Santiago route) he says the knee is doing well, i have great range of movement but little strength.

I walked Camino Frances in 2018 at age 56 with having had both my knee surgery replaced in 2011. I walked a lot to prep and losing 80 lbs prior to my Camino but did fine. I didn't have my backpack shipped and averaged 19 miles a day, not on purpose just because I wanted to make sure I had enough time to continue walking to Muxia. I hope to walk the Camino Frances again next year as my retirement gift to myself. Now since having both hips replaced last year. Per my fitbit since I started wearing in Nov 2016 I have almost 20,000 miles on the replaced knees. My orthopedic checkup on the knees showed they are in great shape. You can do this. Just work up and train slowly.