Walking the Camino Francais with a Total Knee Replacement

[Oak Hill Walkers]

I had to cancel our Camino Frances this fall in part due to my osteoarthritis in my left knee. I'm now taking Synvisc injections to relieve the pain of simple walking. I'm a candidate for a total knee replacement. My doctor told me, that after a knee replacement, I should be able to walk in 'rolling hills'.

My question: If I use trekking poles, would I have trouble doing the Camino Francais (from StJdP to Santiago)? Anyone know or heard of anyone doing the camino with a total knee replacement?

Thanks in advance.

[Covey]

Nice to hear that you are still going strong!!

I have not come across anyone who has proclaimed they have an artificial knee, but I would suggest that you might think of starting in Pamplona or Roncesvalles rather than St Jean. The St Jean to Roncesvalles stage is a bit brutal in that it is a fairly steep 20km uphill climb on a metaled road followed by 7kms steepish downhill walk on a forest track and then back on the road again. The Winter Route via Valcarlos is easier and less height to climb, but the last 9kms is a long slog up through the forest tracks.

If it were me, I would not want to risk injury problems arising from Day 1. The Pamplona to Burgos is a much more gentle introduction to the Camino and there are many more albergues from Pamplona on-wards where you can rest up if needed.

[Oak Hill Walkers]

The Synvisc injection in my left knee has worked wonders.

Injections are supposed to last only 6 months but I'm doing well on 9 months.

Now thinking of doing 30 days of walking in May 2012, either 1/2 of route or doing the whole route by skipping around with taxis and buses. Looking to keep average daily mileage to 8-10 miles.

[John Hussey]

Not a total knee replacement but two weeks ago I had anthroscopy on the left knee. I was put completely under and three small incisions were made around the knee where the surgeon slipped inside with some sort of miniature tool and camera and repaired some torn meniscus I had hurt a couple years previous while hiking. When I went to the doctor for diagnsis I was sweating the total replacement but the doctor had me do an MRI and discovered tat my problem was not so much loss of the cartilage but that I had abused it. I was tickled because I already had my airline ticket for Madrid mid October. I am doing fine and slowly building my walking distance up. Good luck with yours.

You know of course that it is the gray hair causing problem?

[Gazza]

Interesting thread, last week I took my wife to one of the top Australian knee orthopaedics with the view of knee replacement (ex elite basketballer). His comments were, you don't have cancer, yr not dieing hence yr ok. He won't do knee replacement yet. What he did suggest (until it gets unbearable & debilitating) is to take painkilling tablets (panadeine extra/voltaren etc) on a regular basis. This will reduce swelling & mask the pain. As he said "can't do any more damage, no cartilage left". He also said that when the day came for a full replacement, that apart from running & strenuous twisting life would be normal with about 120 degree flex in the knee.

Knee replacements have come a long way & over here this doctor has patients up & walking the next day.