The bad knee club

[henrythedog]

On my return from my recent waddle between Burgos and Leon I was sporting a fairly impressive case of bursitis in my right knee. My physio was more concerned about my left one; so I took it for an MRI scan which has concluded that it’s reached the end of its useful life. I’m going to get the other scanned as it’s roughly the same age and has done a similar mileage. I expect a similar result.

On the positive side; the radiologist didn’t offer to buy my shoes; so I’m not totally written off just yet; but my rucksack-carrying long-walking days are at an end.

I’ll be engaging a top class surgeon to do his or her best; but I’m a realist.

I love northern Spain and the Camino vibe and have invested considerable time in learning Spanish. So I’ve got an idea.

My summer project will be to investigate and tabulate all the public transport options following (roughly) the route of the Frances; and I’ll start a thread in due course doing a virtual CF with the minimum of walking. Clearly it’s not a compostella-qualifier, but I’ve got enough of those and it may be an opportunity to create a ‘go to’ resource for the frequent requests for point-to- point transport.

At this stage I’d welcome being pointed to useful resources. Clearly ‘Rome to Rio’ is a starter; as will be a number of searches on here for transport-linked threads.

Other suggestions welcome.

 

[Former member 49149]

Sorry to hear of your limb restrictions, @henrythedog. Poor old Henry. However, you are long enough in the tooth to have come sensibly to your response. I am SURE that whatever you plan and offer as a result of your deliberations, it will be a very welcome resource for others with similar restrictions. I am still keeping fingers crossed for the knee that was wonky till I got an injection...but I treat it with great respect.

 

[mspath]

henrythedog,
Sorry to learn about your knees. Unfortunately "the bad knee club" will have a growing membership as time goes on. ..In your proposed transport list will you cite taxis? The long./lat. location of bus stops might also be useful.
Good luck with researching/compiling the data.

 

[SeaHorse]

That's a perfect idea!
Hopefully after the surgeon has done their magic you can run like a spring lamb again. I can with my brand new hip.

 

[Camembert]

Where can I subscribe for this club?
I suffer the same

 

[henrythedog]

Thanks for the encouragement folks. Taxis and bus stop locations. What a splendid idea @mspath thankyou.

I’ll start the project in the warmer months.

 

[Chenahusky]

Henry the dog,

I can empathize with you completely. My knees have been falling apart for some years now. Fortunately reduced distances and stronger knee supports are still holding them together, for now!

My better half's back problems, now mean that her walking distances are too short for Caminos, but she still loves Northern Spain.
She has done the Portuguese and Ingles, in the past, and has 5 compostelas, so no problem there. The Frances has always seemed too far, so it would be nice to have a one site resource, for planning trips.

Although not universally liked, "What Three Words" can be useful, as they use Google maps which show bus stops.
Heres to the warmer months.

 

[daisy]

That will be such welcome info for those of us who would love to walk more on the camino but have similar problems. Thank you.

 

[JamesVT]

On my return from my recent waddle between Burgos and Leon I was sporting a fairly impressive case of bursitis in my right knee. My physio was more concerned about my left one; so I took it for an MRI scan which has concluded that it’s reached the end of its useful life. I’m going to get the other scanned as it’s roughly the same age and has done a similar mileage. I expect a similar result.

On the positive side; the radiologist didn’t offer to buy my shoes; so I’m not totally written off just yet; but my rucksack-carrying long-walking days are at an end.

I’ll be engaging a top class surgeon to do his or her best; but I’m a realist.

I love northern Spain and the Camino vibe and have invested considerable time in learning Spanish. So I’ve got an idea.

My summer project will be to investigate and tabulate all the public transport options following (roughly) the route of the Frances; and I’ll start a thread in due course doing a virtual CF with the minimum of walking. Clearly it’s not a compostella-qualifier, but I’ve got enough of those and it may be an opportunity to create a ‘go to’ resource for the frequent requests for point-to- point transport.

At this stage I’d welcome being pointed to useful resources. Clearly ‘Rome to Rio’ is a starter; as will be a number of searches on here for transport-linked threads.

Other suggestions welcome.

I walked my Camino 11 months after having a bilateral knee replacement. I was 75 and my pace was slow and steady, but the Camino and its scenery was, of course, extraordinary and uplifting. I’m a realist, too, and I’d urge you not to give up on being able to actually walk every step of the Camino.

 

[ken2116]

On my return from my recent waddle between Burgos and Leon I was sporting a fairly impressive case of bursitis in my right knee. My physio was more concerned about my left one; so I took it for an MRI scan which has concluded that it’s reached the end of its useful life. I’m going to get the other scanned as it’s roughly the same age and has done a similar mileage. I expect a similar result.

On the positive side; the radiologist didn’t offer to buy my shoes; so I’m not totally written off just yet; but my rucksack-carrying long-walking days are at an end.

I’ll be engaging a top class surgeon to do his or her best; but I’m a realist.

I love northern Spain and the Camino vibe and have invested considerable time in learning Spanish. So I’ve got an idea.

My summer project will be to investigate and tabulate all the public transport options following (roughly) the route of the Frances; and I’ll start a thread in due course doing a virtual CF with the minimum of walking. Clearly it’s not a compostella-qualifier, but I’ve got enough of those and it may be an opportunity to create a ‘go to’ resource for the frequent requests for point-to- point transport.

At this stage I’d welcome being pointed to useful resources. Clearly ‘Rome to Rio’ is a starter; as will be a number of searches on here for transport-linked threads.

Other suggestions welcome.

Depending on your physical condition, have you considered crutches? Following an orthopedic failure at the beginning of a long trip I managed quite well with them both in town and long hiking trails in the mountains. If going this route, be sure to ease into conditioning your arms to avoid repetitive stress injuries. You also might consider an electric assist bike.

 

[DBC]

On my return from my recent waddle between Burgos and Leon I was sporting a fairly impressive case of bursitis in my right knee. My physio was more concerned about my left one; so I took it for an MRI scan which has concluded that it’s reached the end of its useful life. I’m going to get the other scanned as it’s roughly the same age and has done a similar mileage. I expect a similar result.

On the positive side; the radiologist didn’t offer to buy my shoes; so I’m not totally written off just yet; but my rucksack-carrying long-walking days are at an end.

I’ll be engaging a top class surgeon to do his or her best; but I’m a realist.

I love northern Spain and the Camino vibe and have invested considerable time in learning Spanish. So I’ve got an idea.

My summer project will be to investigate and tabulate all the public transport options following (roughly) the route of the Frances; and I’ll start a thread in due course doing a virtual CF with the minimum of walking. Clearly it’s not a compostella-qualifier, but I’ve got enough of those and it may be an opportunity to create a ‘go to’ resource for the frequent requests for point-to- point transport.

At this stage I’d welcome being pointed to useful resources. Clearly ‘Rome to Rio’ is a starter; as will be a number of searches on here for transport-linked threads.

Other suggestions welcome.

I am on the Camino currently and have met a 65 yr old with a quadruple bypass, two new hips and a new knee. He has made it all the way from SJPP to Estella in a week, and is planning on going all of the way. His heavy bag goes ahead and he walks with a day bag.

 

[Annw]

This resource sounds great; my husband is in this club with a knee whose ligaments are unreliable and unhelpful; downhills are a scourge for him. We walked in April but he was only able to manage a small portion of the later CF stages, discerning the most benign sections with the elevation charts in Brierly. Transport options would be really helpful.

 

[auburnfive]

This would be a great resource for those of us with decent knees, but need a day off for whatever reason and want to remain in step with walking companions

 

[henrythedog]

I walked my Camino 11 months after having a bilateral knee replacement. I was 75 and my pace was slow and steady, but the Camino and its scenery was, of course, extraordinary and uplifting. I’m a realist, too, and I’d urge you not to give up on being able to actually walk every step of the Camino.

Yes, thank you - and others. To be honest I’m probably currently feeling a bit sorry for myself, apprehensive and coming to terms with not being invincible.

I’ll make a judgement on my capability in due course, with the benefit of the best advice available.

In the meantime, the project seems to have a degree of merit; so I’ll have a go at it. The combined experience on here should be able to produce a fairly definitive guide.

More later

D

 

[JamesVT]

On my return from my recent waddle between Burgos and Leon I was sporting a fairly impressive case of bursitis in my right knee. My physio was more concerned about my left one; so I took it for an MRI scan which has concluded that it’s reached the end of its useful life. I’m going to get the other scanned as it’s roughly the same age and has done a similar mileage. I expect a similar result.

On the positive side; the radiologist didn’t offer to buy my shoes; so I’m not totally written off just yet; but my rucksack-carrying long-walking days are at an end.

I’ll be engaging a top class surgeon to do his or her best; but I’m a realist.

I love northern Spain and the Camino vibe and have invested considerable time in learning Spanish. So I’ve got an idea.

My summer project will be to investigate and tabulate all the public transport options following (roughly) the route of the Frances; and I’ll start a thread in due course doing a virtual CF with the minimum of walking. Clearly it’s not a compostella-qualifier, but I’ve got enough of those and it may be an opportunity to create a ‘go to’ resource for the frequent requests for point-to- point transport.

At this stage I’d welcome being pointed to useful resources. Clearly ‘Rome to Rio’ is a starter; as will be a number of searches on here for transport-linked threads.

Other suggestions welcome.

Oh, yes, take with you or buy in France/Spain a good pair of hiking poles to ease the weight on your knees and back. I used Pacer Poles, orderable from the UK, which are great hiking poles.

 

[JabbaPapa]

hmmm -- I know there are unavoidable cases and circumstances, and I sincerely sympathise and empathise and understand those who find themselves subjected to them.

My own anxiety involves wheelchairs, as my potential future.

In 2013 I found myself basically unable to walk, not even 200 metres. From the cause of a lengthy period of illness.

Unwilling to accept this, I forced myself to hobble about.

First, just about where I live.

Then down to the next bus stop. Then the one after. And so on, along the bus line, stop to stop. Got a mechanical knee brace to support me while doing so.

Little by little : further and further.

It took me a year, and I have never and will never fully recover -- but I learned over the course of the year to stumble on despite the pain, then realised that this effort towards recovering mobility was actually some Camino training, unbeknownst even to myself.

I took a second knee brace, to balance my stance and stride -- and turned my hobbling for 100s of metres into Ks, then 10s of Ks. Pain withstanding.

And then I went to Lourdes, to start a Camino, and also to pray for sufficient healing.

...

Three days later, I removed the braces, and I haven't used them since.

Even in these matters, the Camino provides ...

...

If that should be via knee replacements, then so be it -- the real trick is to first hear, then listen to, what is given to us in best interest.

 

[dbier]

Henry, thank you so very much for this idea! I think that such a resource would be nearly invaluable for so many...including those who would like to journey with a person who really can't walk a long way.

Im thinking of a person with fused toes, a flat topped ankle, a corrected clubfoot, and muscles in the calf that simply don't work. Regardless of how God has already provided, this person will not ever be able to walk long distances, or bike the same, short of an extremely successful and expensive prosthetic, which doctors do Not recommend.

BTW, I have thoroughly enjoyed your narratives, and would happily buy beverages of your choice for the chance to chat at length.

 

[senora1]

Unfortunately I joined this club more than 10 years ago. Went to a knee specialist before starting in SJPP and her advice was to not walk. I ignored that and 33 days later arrived in Santiago. I was very slow on the downhills and used poles. 2 years ago I had knee replacement and it failed. This time around will be on an Ebike. Starting in Burgos 4 JUN, I am both nervous and excited. We’ll keep you posted,Cheers.

 

[pennyjwright]

Thanks for the encouragement folks. Taxis and bus stop locations. What a splendid idea @mspath thankyou.

I’ll start the project in the warmer months.

can I suggest using what3words(.com) locations also for bus stops? If you don't know of this app, the world (pretty much) has been mapped into 3x3metre squares and a unique three word phrase associated with that square. It's super useful as it's so precise and you can use other apps (such as Google Maps) to navigate to a w3w location.

And thank you for your project concept - so useful!

 

[pennyjwright]

can I suggest using what3words(.com) locations also for bus stops? If you don't know of this app, the world (pretty much) has been mapped into 3x3metre squares and a unique three word phrase associated with that square. It's super useful as it's so precise and you can use other apps (such as Google Maps) to navigate to a w3w location.

And thank you for your project concept - so useful!

apologies for not noticing that @Chenahusky had already recommended w3w...

 

[Dinnie]

On my return from my recent waddle between Burgos and Leon I was sporting a fairly impressive case of bursitis in my right knee. My physio was more concerned about my left one; so I took it for an MRI scan which has concluded that it’s reached the end of its useful life. I’m going to get the other scanned as it’s roughly the same age and has done a similar mileage. I expect a similar result.

On the positive side; the radiologist didn’t offer to buy my shoes; so I’m not totally written off just yet; but my rucksack-carrying long-walking days are at an end.

I’ll be engaging a top class surgeon to do his or her best; but I’m a realist.

I love northern Spain and the Camino vibe and have invested considerable time in learning Spanish. So I’ve got an idea.

My summer project will be to investigate and tabulate all the public transport options following (roughly) the route of the Frances; and I’ll start a thread in due course doing a virtual CF with the minimum of walking. Clearly it’s not a compostella-qualifier, but I’ve got enough of those and it may be an opportunity to create a ‘go to’ resource for the frequent requests for point-to- point transport.

At this stage I’d welcome being pointed to useful resources. Clearly ‘Rome to Rio’ is a starter; as will be a number of searches on here for transport-linked threads.

Other suggestions welcome.

That is a wonderful idea. Thank you. I am a newbie 2 years away from turning 70 with chronic inflammatory issues who have not done the Camino yet. However, I have been reading all the helpful information posted by all the members and are very grateful & thankful to all the forum members for their posts.

 

[Sixwheeler]

Sorry to hear your knee news and your plan sounds great but don't write yourself off yet, I did all my best walks post knee replacement.
Ultreïa!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have no knee issues...yet, but so many of these replies show me that a stubborn will and a can do attitude can overcome many obstacles. My hat is off to all of you!