Too soon? Camino Portuguese 5 months after total knee replacement.

[Paintboy2]

I'm starting this thread as future advice for others who are contemplating a Camino after knee replacement. In my case, I've had two this year, one in January and one in April. I'm leaving on Wednesday, Porto to Santiago and I feel good. I have been very aggressive in my post op therapy to improve my range of motion and to regain and repair the surprising loss of muscle that resulted after my surgery. I am on my feet a lot and am walking 3 - 4 miles a day. The bones have healed and now it is the muscles and the balance that need continued repair. I have previously done the CP-Coastal (2016) and the CdN (2017). I will be 63 in September and I'm way over weight. Nonetheless, as a fellow pergerino has advised, I will go "not too far and not too fast", and that is how I will roll on this adventure. I'll post periodically to update my progress.

 

[ksam]

Hey as long as your Dr. is ok...GO!! Can't wait to hear how you make out on this adventure. Buen Camino!

 

[Iriebabel]

I agree with @ksam. Talk with your surgeon and I also recommend talking with your physio/rehab specialist who provides your post surgical therapy. If you decide to go I recommend you start slow with less km per day then build on those by adding a few more Kms every couple days . Good luck and Buen Camino. By the way Happy early birthday

 

[MeandIan]

I had a TKR 20 months ago and we have been walking steadily and increasing our distances. Both knees were good, the healthy knee and the replacement. I am a theatre nurse so am quite active. My rehab has also been good. We would’ve gone in May but had to delay. Comparing my knee to 4 months ago l know l would’ve struggled. Three weeks ago we did two walks over rocks and beach and sand, and I’ve had trouble with both knees which are now thankfully sorted. I thought my replacement knee was great and was quite disturbed by my having pain and swelling. I am 62 and not overweight. We are starting our Camino on 14 September. My penny’s worth, listen to your doctor and your body. I think it’s a bit too soon. However we are all different. We are going to go as slow as our bodies allow and have our bags transferred whenever. Good luck

 

[Iriebabel]

I had a TKR 20 months ago and we have been walking steadily and increasing our distances. Both knees were good, the healthy knee and the replacement. I am a theatre nurse so am quite active. My rehab has also been good. We would’ve gone in May but had to delay. Comparing my knee to 4 months ago l know l would’ve struggled. Three weeks ago we did two walks over rocks and beach and sand, and I’ve had trouble with both knees which are now thankfully sorted. I thought my replacement knee was great and was quite disturbed by my having pain and swelling. I am 62 and not overweight. We are starting our Camino on 14 September. My penny’s worth, listen to your doctor and your body. I think it’s a bit too soon. However we are all different. We are going to go as slow as our bodies allow and have our bags transferred whenever. Good luck

Sounds like you are going well ...I walked with a huge brace on my left knee seems some one keep saying i’m too young for a replacement. Considering I have worn a brace since 2002...I am no longer worried about it as the knee is what it is. , pain is what I tell it to be. At 51 I’m not sure how old I’m suppose to be but it didnt stop my from finishing the camino. I agree with you on the packweight and possibly using transport if needed or wanted. Buen Camino

 

[ritaj]

I had two knees replaced at different times and I had a different recovery period with each one. Thousands of camino kilometers have followed, but the main piece of advice I'd give is DON"T PUSH IT! You want to walk many caminos in the future and it is frustrating, to say the least, to have set-backs because you did too much too soon (I speak from frustrated experience!). No one could have successively told me to back off, but I should have...

 

[t2andreo]

Go for it! Recommend using hiking poles for traction, balance and added torque going up hills.

I am 65 with my original, but failing knees. Over six Caminos, annually since 2013, I learned to always listen to my body and only do what is comfortable for me. I compete against NO ONE.

Aside from the final 100 Km (from Tui in your case) if you feel like you need ot taxi to your night's lodging, do it. If you need to take a train or bus to skip a section, outside the final 100 km do it. It is not a sin.

If you want the Compostela, the Cathedral authorities are only concerned that you walk the final 100 km on any route INTO SANTIAGO.

Hope this helps.

 

[Walking Lover]

I'm starting this thread as future advice for others who are contemplating a Camino after knee replacement. In my case, I've had two this year, one in January and one in April. I'm leaving on Wednesday, Porto to Santiago and I feel good. I have been very aggressive in my post op therapy to improve my range of motion and to regain and repair the surprising loss of muscle that resulted after my surgery. I am on my feet a lot and am walking 3 - 4 miles a day. The bones have healed and now it is the muscles and the balance that need continued repair. I have previously done the CP-Coastal (2016) and the CdN (2017). I will be 63 in September and I'm way over weight. Nonetheless, as a fellow pergerino has advised, I will go "not too far and not too fast", and that is how I will roll on this adventure. I'll post periodically to update my progress.

Please check carefully the way to Rubiases. That is a very tough and rough climb. I nearly crawled in spots and I am in excellent shape.