Foot problem

[sean]

Hi,

I walked the Camino from St. Jean in May 2009 and did some serious damage to the tendons in both my legs. I walked past the point when my body was screaming STOP! It ended with a stress fracture of the main bone in my right leg and very sore tendons which are still hurting a bit. I now wear special inserts in my shoes which help, but the Achilles tendons have never regained their original strength. I have walked a lot over the last few months in preparation for the Portuguse Camino which I start in a few weeks time. Proof of the attraction of the Camino I suppose.
My query is. Has anyone attempted a Camino, or other long walk after having similar injury?
Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

Sean
Dublin

[tmpcoleman]

Hi Sean,
I also had similar leg problems on the St. Jean to Burgos section of the Camino last June. When I did the next section (Burgos to Leon) in March this year, I had no problems. No miracle cure I'm afraid. Just reduced the daily mileage and took more rest days. When your body screams STOP, just stop.
Good Luck
Tom
Bettystown

[Covey]

There are a number of absolute givens when walking the Camino.

Firstly, there are no injuries that get better the more you walk!

Secondly, the presence of pain is your systems way of telling you, ENOUGH!!

So, when you start to notice your joints are painful, stop and rest. I know that most pilgrims inclination is to keep going and stay with your friends and "family" but that is the worst thing you can do.

Tendons and cartilage injuries are normally stress induced and gulping down lots of Ibuprofen to kill the pain just masks the problem. Walking with blisters is part of the pilgrims way of life for a few weeks, but joint injuries are serious, can cause permanent damage which will affect the rest of your life, and are not going to get better quickly.

Nobody wants to go home having failed to achieve their goal of standing in front of the Cathedral at Santiago, but then again, nobody in their right mind should risk permanent injury for a goal they can put off for another year.

[Leslie]

I have never had to deal with this type of injury. However for the last year I have been dealing with / recovering from a slipped disk.

I have been to my physo and had a scan so we know the extent of the problem. The hardest thing I have found is doing the small amount of exercise that I am told to do everyday. I start to feel better and stop doing the exercises - just human. Also when I start to feel better I begin yo treat myself as if I am 16 again - and that was a while ago.

So I guess my only "advice" is to do the thing advised by your physo.

[sean]

Many thanks to all for you help and advice.
This Forum never fails to come up with answers and help from experienced walkers.
I will slow down this time and enjoy my second Camino, hopefully without further injury.
Again, many thanks.

Regards,

Sean
Dublin.