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Can I get ice for my knee after I walk?

StumpyDave

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Norte to Primitivo 7/22. Finistère/Muxia 8/22.
Hi everyone. I’ve done three Caminos, all with healthy legs…until now. I had knee surgery and am planning on walking in August again. Not sure how the leg will hold up, but if I was able to ice each night I might be able to get through. Does anyone know how easy it is to obtain ice, ice packs (instant), etc. for such use on the Camino del norte? Any insight would be appreciated!
 
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Many grocery stores carry bagged ice for €2-€3 and in the larger villages on the Norte, it should not be an issue. Do not expect Albergues to have ice on-site for you.
 
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We had no problems getting ice on the norte. We took ziplock bags to put the ice in (we reuse them) as the bags of ice have holes in them and leak when they warm up. Fine outdoors, not so fine if applying ice in your room.

Note - Not from accommodations on the route, from bars, village stores or supermarkets
 
Maybe you should take a steel bottle such as a hydro flask. They are known to keep ice for long periods, so whatever ice you find during the day, you can use at night.
 
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We often bought a bag of ice at a grocery store in the village/town we were staying in on the Sanabres last spring for €1 to 1.50 and we stored the bag in the bidet or sink. Not sure how well the huge ice cubes would work on an injury though.
 
I would definitely think hard about another route if you have knee trouble and have options. I walked Santander to Gijón in 2015 and I recall it being much more on the roadway than I expected after walking St Jean to Burgos on the Frances route the previous year. If it has to be the Norte, maybe you could consider mixing in rented bike rides on some of the longer paved sections if that’s a little easier on the knees. Enjoy your Camino wherever you end up.
 
No bar ever refused to fill my baggie with ice. I always bought something. Times may have changed with the quarter million pilgrims already this year. Generosity can be strained by those numbers wanting something for free!
 
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falcon269 said:
No bar ever refused to fill my baggie with ice. I always bought something. Times may have changed with the quarter million pilgrims already this year. Generosity can be strained by those numbers wanting something for free!
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My experience has been the same as @falcon269. Bring your own bag (bars don’t always have bags), buy a drink and/or a snack, and I think you will find that you will get your ice. In some places, particularly the small places without their own ice machines, you will only get a handful of cubes, but I never found I couldn’t ice my shins properly with what I was given.
 
Trust your knee and your surgeon. I walked the Inverano 6 months after a knee replacement. Didn’t need. Ask your surgeon about advice for walking
 
How long between surgery and your Camino? I have just had a partial knee replacement and hope to walk the VDLP next March.
 
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Supermarkets and "gasolineras" (petrol stations) both sell bags of ice.
 
2005 first Camino: my walking partner blew out his knee on the descent into Roncesvalles and had about 100cc of fluid drained in Pamplona hospital. He did a parallel Camino hitchhiking and resting in cafes with his knee iced. We managed to meet up every night. Used his own baggie and bought lots of cafe, soda, and bocadilla, practiced his Spanish, drafted a book, and left a fair tip. Never refused ice by bartender. Started intermittent walking in Astorga and needed another kneecap drain afterfinish in Santiago.
 
Simon B said:
How long between surgery and your Camino? I have just had a partial knee replacement and hope to walk the VDLP next March.
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My Surgery was May 29th. I'll be 11 weeks out when I start. Just going to take it a day at a time and see how it does. If it's hold up, I'll keep moving forward. If it gets mad at me, I'll take trin or bus. I hope you fare well with your knee!
 
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StumpyDave said:
My Surgery was May 29th. I'll be 11 weeks out when I start. Just going to take it a day at a time and see how it does. If it's hold up, I'll keep moving forward. If it gets mad at me, I'll take trin or bus. I hope you fare well with your knee!
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Thank you. Wishing you the best of luck and hope everything holds up.
 
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