Knee replacement!

[Frank Mestre]

Hi I came back from completing the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Finistiere in June. Loved every moment. But I think it was the last straw for my left knee. Since I’ve had three cortisone injections, acupuncture but after X-ray it seems I have cartilage wear and all the muscle stenthening excersices im doing is just putting off a knee replacement. I am desperate to do the Camino del Norte next September. My question is has anyone done this with a knee replacement? I am 63 but otherwise fit. Any advise please. Thanks

 

[Iriebabel]

See this simular thread :
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/new-knees-user-experiences-please.58857/

Good luck

 

[Frank Mestre]

See this simular thread :
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/new-knees-user-experiences-please.58857/

Good luck

Thanks for the direction lots of good advise there.

 

[Robo]

Darn. Your 'left' knee too!
If one of us had a dodgy right knee we could do it as a '3 legged' Camino

 

[gloria lowe]

Have you had the gel injections)

 

[enerol]

Hi I came back from completing the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Finistiere in June. Loved every moment. But I think it was the last straw for my left knee. Since I’ve had three cortisone injections, acupuncture but after X-ray it seems I have cartilage wear and all the muscle stenthening excersices im doing is just putting off a knee replacement. I am desperate to do the Camino del Norte next September. My question is has anyone done this with a knee replacement? I am 63 but otherwise fit. Any advise please. Thanks

 

[enerol]

Yep! Had left knee replaced. . 4 months later Camino Frances. . Age 83. Buen Camino!

 

[obi wan]

Hi I came back from completing the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Finistiere in June. Loved every moment. But I think it was the last straw for my left knee. Since I’ve had three cortisone injections, acupuncture but after X-ray it seems I have cartilage wear and all the muscle stenthening excersices im doing is just putting off a knee replacement. I am desperate to do the Camino del Norte next September. My question is has anyone done this with a knee replacement? I am 63 but otherwise fit. Any advise please. Thanks

Yes - I have done 5 Caminos with a new right knee and will be doing my 6th in April 2019. I will turn 70 in Feb. Knee has not been a problem. Like a new lease on life.

 

[Paintboy2]

I'm 63, 65 lbs. over weight, and have two total knee replacements this year. One in January and one in April. I did the Camino Portuguese in September with no problems. I've done the second half of the Norte and I don't think that would be much of a problem either after your surgery. My Norte was pre OP and it is the reason that I got my knees replaced. It about killed me but I would have no hesitation to do it now.
Two things for you to think about.
1. You will lose a lot of muscle in your post OP recovery because you will be sedentary. Building this back will be key to a successful recovery and any future Caminos.
2. The moment your surgery is over you will be in a race with scar tissue that will want to form around your wound. You'll learn more about this from your doctor and physical therapist who you may not even know yet but the biggest favor you can do for yourself will be to diligently do your assigned knee exercises despite the pain. Those excercises are what wins the race against a knee full of motion restricting scar tissue and will allow you to enjoy your next Camino. I don't think about my knees very much now although I am still careful about where I step.
My last Camino was 5 months post op and both knees functioned well. The Camino was very helpful in building back the muscle that I had lost. Good luck, you can do it. Buen Camino.

 

[Opa Theo]

Hi I came back from completing the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Finistiere in June. Loved every moment. But I think it was the last straw for my left knee. Since I’ve had three cortisone injections, acupuncture but after X-ray it seems I have cartilage wear and all the muscle stenthening excersices im doing is just putting off a knee replacement. I am desperate to do the Camino del Norte next September. My question is has anyone done this with a knee replacement? I am 63 but otherwise fit. Any advise please. Thanks

Had a total knee replacement 8 years ago and regret I did not have it sooner. Look for a surgeon who does a high volume of knee replacements and has a good references.
Ted

 

[John H.]

I had the same problems last year after completing the CF and CP from Porto. Years ago I had an ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, etc. but the cartilage is very depleted. 1st cortisone shot gave me 4-5 months of relief but second one didn't seem to work. I would say my knee was down to about 40-50% usage at best. Pain was intense. Doctors think I am too young at 50 for a knee replacement and want me to wait until at least 60. A doctor at a sports medicine clinic suggested I try a Plasma Replacement Platelet (PRP) injection (different than cortisone). Cost me CAD $425. 6 weeks later the discomfort went way down. I walked the CP from Porto again this year and back to playing weekly ice hockey. I think my knee is about 70-75% now which is much better than last year. I also wear a carbon fibre knee brace for stability. Good luck.

 

[annandkerith]

Hi I came back from completing the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Finistiere in June. Loved every moment. But I think it was the last straw for my left knee. Since I’ve had three cortisone injections, acupuncture but after X-ray it seems I have cartilage wear and all the muscle stenthening excersices im doing is just putting off a knee replacement. I am desperate to do the Camino del Norte next September. My question is has anyone done this with a knee replacement? I am 63 but otherwise fit. Any advise please. Thanks

Ann -I have 2 knee replacements and did the Camino Portugues after the 2nd one. No problems, but I would definitely use poles as it reduces strain on the knees so much. I plan to do the 2nd half of tghe V de la Plata in June 2019. Hope I make it. it is purpoted to be quite difficult. You'lll be fine on the C del Norte.

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Frank, A decision was made last February for me to have a total knee replacement,but as I had already booked the Camino in April and had things to do in May we decided on a date in June. However I went immediately to the pre op physio class and so I did the pre op physio faithfully for eleven weeks. At the time I had no idea of how much these weeks of exercises would benefit me
After the operation I would have a nurse saying to me"But you can't do that you are only day two" or a physiotherapist saying "that is amazing ,you are only day three". Building up the strength of muscles before the operation really pays dividends.
Before I went in for surgery I booked next years Camino.
Good luck with your surgery and Buen Camino.

 

[Registration]

Hi I came back from completing the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Finistiere in June. Loved every moment. But I think it was the last straw for my left knee. Since I’ve had three cortisone injections, acupuncture but after X-ray it seems I have cartilage wear and all the muscle stenthening excersices im doing is just putting off a knee replacement. I am desperate to do the Camino del Norte next September. My question is has anyone done this with a knee replacement? I am 63 but otherwise fit. Any advise please. Thanks

On our first camino in 2006 we met at Spanish gentleman who had had bilateral knee replacements and a hip replacement. He was also in his 70's. I work for an orthopaedic trauma surgeon (have for the last 20 years) and my advice would be to wait at least 6 months after your surgery and attend a biokinetic training program to strengthen the muscles around the prosthesis for the ascends and descends on the del Norte. Definitely speak to your surgeon about doing the camino. After that you will enjoy the absolute beauty of the route specifically the coastal.

 

[Canche]

Hi I came back from completing the Camino Frances from SJPDP to Finistiere in June. Loved every moment. But I think it was the last straw for my left knee. Since I’ve had three cortisone injections, acupuncture but after X-ray it seems I have cartilage wear and all the muscle stenthening excersices im doing is just putting off a knee replacement. I am desperate to do the Camino del Norte next September. My question is has anyone done this with a knee replacement? I am 63 but otherwise fit. Any advise please. Thanks

I'm 74 and did the Norte in 2016 after a knee replacement. That one works better than the other. Never had a problem. I now climb mountains and volcanoes. You must be religious about going to therapy and doing the exercises at home.! Also try Syn-Visc injections which are cock's comb. Natural stuff. Good luck and buen camino. You can do it