medical/injuries

I am on stage 4, just arrived in Puenta Le Reina. I appeared to injure my knee walking into Pamplona yesterday - it became slightly swollen, I cannot straighten it, it now has less strength. I walked Pamplona - PLR today with knee brace, ibuprofen and Voltaren plus sent my pack forward and most...

I am suppose to leave in 18 days for my first camino. Several years ago I had a painful bout with plantar fasciitis in my right foot. Eventually it subsided and I thought I was "cured" forever! It has decided to rear its ugly head again...:( I am worried about this situation. I am staying off...

I am planning to leave St Jean on 28th April. I made my first post here on Nov 8th last year announcing that I was flying into Paris on 26th April and arriving in St Jean on 27th April. At that stage I was fully fit for a 74 year old. Since Christmas I have been having knee problems with my...

I stumbled upon this interesting new "apparatus": A knee shock absorber meant to help those with maniscal issues, instead of complete knee replacements. http://www.medgadget.com/2016/01/atlas-implantable-shock-absorber-knee.html Your thoughts?

Happy New Year 2016! My camino plan for 2015 had to abort due to the sudden death of my father, so it's fingers-crossed for this year and maybe I'll make it to Muxia for the first time. While I wait for the moment to present itself, I'm musing on the phenomenon of back pain. I don't get it...

If someone got injured on the trail from Sarria to Santiago, are there a number of hospitals along the way? If so how many and where are they? Also, how difficult is it to take a taxi in an emergency along the route, i.e., is most of the route relatively close to roads and access out if there...

Hello Pilgrims! My husband and I have just finished our 33 day journey from St Jean to Fisterra and it was an absolutely incredible experience. We are both physiotherapists and you can imagine that we saw plenty of pilgrims needing assistance along the way, so I thought I'd post a few tips that...

Recently, halfway through my 2nd Camino, I tripped and fell crossing the street in El Virgin del Camino. I sustained a messy compound fracture of the little finger of my right hand. A very professional rescue squad was quickly on the scene and transported me to the large hospital in nearby...

Hello fellow pilgrims, Lots of your topics are very useful, but I have a rather specific problem that I would like to get your ideas on: Unfortunally I have some very bad allergies regarding bedding, dust mites, ... I will be bringing my own sleepingbag and pillow (otherwise sleeping will not...

As a type 2 diabetic, I just cannot imagine doing the needle and thread thing! That would seem a great way to get a huge infection that would put a quick end to my Camino. Anyone here with ideas for diabetics to treat blisters? I've been wearing my hiking shoes for about three months now, so...

Does anyone know if I can purchase Insulin....Flex Pens for each of Novo Rapid and Levemir.....WITHOUT ....a prescription in Spain? I walked the Camino France's in 2008 and carried all my insulin and diabetic supplies needed for the forty days. Since then my dosage has increased significantly...

My intention is to walk from Lourdes in early September, but at the minute my medical problems are putting a dampener on the planning. Has anyone (on here) done the walk with a severe anaphlaxis problem to multiple allergens? I am allergic to nuts, olives, sesame, almonds and a multitude of...

I have been using the Resmed S9 APAP (Automatic CPAP) on my Caminos. It weighs about 5 Ibs. Hunting for a lightweight device and came across 1) Z1 Auto CPAP 10 oz $875 and 2) Transcend auto cpap with ezex, $530. Both weighing less than a ib without the charger or battery pack. Anyone has...

Hi all, Just to let the allergic pilgrims out there know that over the weekend the pine pollen (that yellow dust) "hit" in and around Galicia. My car was all yellow this morning. (Monday March the 30th 2015) Just a warning to those allergic pilgrims out there. Buen camino! Ivar

Hi, Hoping I can get some help from the forum. Back in December my right knee blew up like a balloon after I finished a walk. Went to Doc and for x-rays and the x-ray showed my patella (kneecap) had moved from the centre of the knee to the outside. Is called patelloformoral pain syndrome. After...

Buenos dios, fellow pilgrims! I am an insulin-dependent diabetic and must carry with me my insulin, needles and test strips. For those of you who have walked the camino with this condition, can you share how you disposed of used needles, test strips, etc.? At home I have a sharps box and can...

I am 58 and starting the walk in Roncesvalles on the 29th May. I have been having a problem with pain just under the knee which happens about 1-2 hours into my walks. My physio suggested wearing compression tights, such as skins. Just wondering if anyone else has used these and how they went.

My left knee has been stiff for a while and I've been told I've been walking" funny" . I have a bit of pain and inflammation.(Nothing too bad) I went to see a physio who found a Bakers Cyst and advised going to see my GP. Today the GP said I also have arthritis and that walking a couple of miles...

I am a 55 yr old Type 1 diabetic, planning to walk the whole Camino Frances from 5/5/14. I inject Novorapid three times a day and Levemir once. Unused insulin needs to be stored in a fridge, as it only lasts 28 days outside a fridge. I plan to allow 50 days for the walk. I anticipate that if I...

I came back from the Camino Frances with bad knee pain so I had an X-ray, went to an orthopaedic surgeon and he told me I had to wear a knee brace - an expensive contraption called a Donjoy OA Offloader. Seems I'm bone on bone, and now having got the brace ($650 later!) it does definitely...