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Hi Dres,Hi Sunbun,
I (Anne) had a total hip replacement at the end of October, 2013. I was 59 at the time. I followed all the required surgeon and physio instructions. I also did a lot of exercises in the pool which I think helped with my recovery.
My husband and I were planning to walk our first Camino Frances in August, 2014. My surgeon reviewed me in March, 2014 and said I could start training walking for the Camino from then. We completed more than 800kms in training before heading off to start the Camino. We started the Camino as planned from St Jean Pied de Port on 22nd, August, 2014 and made it to Santiago de Compostela on 2nd, October, 2014, without any issues, taking three rest days along the way. This was the start of our long distance walking and we were hooked. So from my experience ten months is a long enough recovery period but be guided by your surgeon.
My husband has completed all our Caminos with both hips replaced twice.
I walk with hiking poles and we now don't carry heavy backpacks anymore.
Buen Camino,
Anne & Pat
I have walked a few Caminos since a hip replacement 20 years ago. Did not do my first Camino until about 10 years after. That was because I had really discovered it. I did however do some long distance bike rides Sydney to Brisbane, Rome to London, Budapest London. Plus some many shorter tours.Hola,
I was really hoping to walk the Camino again this coming summer but despite all my hopes and planning I am in need of a hip replacement instead, yea! I walked the Frances in 2017 and have been trying to get back so I'm a lotta bummed about this development. Has anyone walked after a hip replacement and if so how long after and what was the recovery time before you could do it again? I really appreciate your advice.
Thanks Jen. I appreciate you taking the time to reply, it is helpful to hear from others who have done the Camino after replacement. I am in relatively good condition aside from the hip so I hope that will help in recovery so I can get back on the Camino and the trails around my home.Hi Dres
I walked the full Camino Francis in fall 2023. My hip replacement was 2019 and then Covid hit so I missed out on some physio which extended my recovery. Prior to my hip replacement at 60yrs - my hip was so bad I was walking using a cane. As others have said - your pre surgery condition is important and it did influence when I felt ready. I needed extra time to get my body to stop guarding and use both legs equally and rebuild glute strength and muscles around the knee. I do have a bit less range of motion on my hip replacement side. That being said if it was not for another unplanned surgery I could have walked in 2021 I believe. Some things to consider - On my camino I used walking poles ( Nortic style ) 100% of the time this helped tremendously! I walked around 22 to24 km per day with longest 28 km and used pack transfer services - as the down hills were a killer on my knee! I have an excellent physio who I worked with pre surgery who designed water exercises for me ( I swim lengths daily). One more tip - Post surgery I used an Ice machine that was magical! It reduced my need for meds dramatically and so helped with swelling! Good luck! I am hoping to do a second camino - the Portuges this year! Jen
Interesting that you may still run. My orthopedic surgeon said due to the high impact (I'm not overweight) running and trampoline springing were the only activities I shouldn't do post-op.I walked the Norte immediately before I had my hip replaced (had a few pain killers each day!!) so I was very fit before the operation. I then did my next longish walk in UK about 7m after the op and played golf from 3m after the op. Walked plenty of caminos since and still run regularly.
That is quite impressive - both knees and both hips and still walking Caminos!Since the end of 2016, I have had both hips and both knees replaced, the last of these operations in Sep 2022. I have walked a (short) camino just over six months after surgery, with a total of two longer pilgrimages and four shorter ones since my first hip replacement. The recovery times from each operation differed somewhat, but I have had a good result in the end from all of them. After the last knee replacement, I take a small inflatable pillow to put between my knees at night to keep them from touching each other. That is still uncomfortable if they do, and badly disrupts my sleep.
Recovery is something I discussed with the hospital rehab gym team when we set up my rehab goals.. At one stage, someone told me my goals were too high, inferring I wasn't going to achieve them. I stuck to my guns, and my goals. The rehab program I attended was goals based. After one operation I was offered a place on a time based program, which I declined. I had seen too many people leaving similar time based programs after five or six weeks. I was never far enough advanced towards my goals in that short a time. Typically it took me 10 weeks or so to get back to something approaching full recovery.
I am about 5ft 10 inches and weight about 9 stone 10 lbs. My consultant said do whatever you want to do. As he said, he has these replacements in people that weigh far more and are doing heavy lifting jobs with no problems.Interesting that you may still run. My orthopedic surgeon said due to the high impact (I'm not overweight) running and trampoline springing were the only activities I shouldn't do post-op.
I don't want to be too much of a curmudgeon, but it would be unimpressive if I couldn't do this. One doesn't undergo surgery of this magnitude and complexity and the subsequent rehabilitation to not get back to a more active life.That is quite impressive - both knees and both hips and still walking Caminos!
As a physiotherapist and Camino addict I stand firm in my opinion. One joint replacement ok, maybe even 2 but 4? It takes lots of work to get this far.I don't want to be too much of a curmudgeon, but it would be unimpressive if I couldn't do this. One doesn't undergo surgery of this magnitude and complexity and the subsequent rehabilitation to not get back to a more active life.
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