Walking the Camino with knee problems

[Dave2]

Posted earlier, my second Camino and after a back problem I'm finding it difficult on my knees walking a long distance,any suggestions what I could use to help with the problem, starting from Vigo to fistera, hope to do it in 8 days.

 

[SabsP]

Posted earlier, my second Camino and after a back problem I'm finding it difficult on my knees walking a long distance,any suggestions what I could use to help with the problem, starting from Vigo to fistera, hope to do it in 8 days.

My suggestion is to ask specific advise from a physiotherapist.
But my advise would be to rethink your plan for 8 days from Vigo to Finisterre when having back and knee issues.
See the distances on Gronze.

Vigo - Redondela | Camino Portugués de la Costa | Gronze.com

La salida de Vigo nos depara una agradable sorpresa, pues el itinerario recorre la Senda da Traída das Augas, con bosques y vistas panorámicas sobre la ría. Al entrar en Redondela nuestro Camino de la Costa confluye con el Camino Portugués Central, la gran ruta jacobea que proviene de Lisboa...

www.gronze.com

 

[Dave2]

Thank you for your reply, back problem is sorted but I think this might have started the problem with my knees trying to compensate for that problem

 

[steve392]

I've had the same problem and have done/am doing the following.
Firstly, I consulted my doctor who told me I had to loose weight, this is personal to me and I'm not suggesting it applies to you.
Secondly, I consulted an Osteopath who looked at what the exact cause was and my medical history (dislocated knee playing rugby). It turned out that my hips were very tight which was contributing to the problem. She then set me on the path to doing the correct exercises for my needs and at the correct pace. The trick has been too not go too hard to fast.
Rolling my upper legs and hips and stretching was the start.
My exercises started with small step ups on to a weight no more than 3 inches high. Squats with no weight.
Hamstring stretches using a broom handle. Sitting Lat pulls to help loosen my back and some easy cardio.
Now I do, step up and through onto on box 2 feet tall. Barbell squads with 40kg. Goblet squats with 20kg.
Romanian dead lifts with 50kg. Hip flexors with 15kg. Dumbbell bench press with 2 x 15kg. To name a few.
I also do more Cardio including using a tread mill with my pack on with 15kg of weight in it.
This was/is being done under the supervision of my Osteopath and designed to loosen me up and strengthen the muscles around my knees. I no longer have knee pain or have to wear a brace and am feeling better than ever and ready for my next Camino in March.
So my advise is to go and see a professional, someone that is recommended to you by a friend or colleague that has used them and has been successful.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[Dave2]

Thank you very much for your advice, I'll definitely look into it more,

 

[Gerard Griffin]

I had knee problems and it was either give up the Camino or get an e-bike. One visit to Decathlon, 1500 euro, and off I went. 5,000 km later and my knees are my best friends. My backside not so much, but so it goes. Never give up.

 

[CTLawGal]

Posted earlier, my second Camino and after a back problem I'm finding it difficult on my knees walking a long distance,any suggestions what I could use to help with the problem, starting from Vigo to fistera, hope to do it in 8 days.

Aside from the medical related advice best sorted with a qualified physician or PT, I would recommend having your pack transported to take the weight off your knees. Also trekking poles, especially for the downhill - there's research showing that, used properly, they can take 20%-30% of the pressure off your knees - there's some elevation gain/loss on the route to Fisterra.

 

[Canche]

Knee brace works for me and icing.

 

[Jodean]

My knee started acting up in Portugal last April, but only at night. 7 months later, had an arthroscopy OP done on it, plus a Hyaluron shot in it. It still is not as well as expected, so don't know if a new knee is in my near future or not. Really wanted to walk the coast and spiritual variant in Portugal this spring, with lots of short days and if a hill is expected that day, take a taxi. Guess another month of waiting before any plans get made.
Take care of those knees. Arthritis was so unexpected.

 

[Canche]

I had a knee replacement and I hike mountains and volcanoes with no problem.

 

[Robo]

Posted earlier, my second Camino and after a back problem I'm finding it difficult on my knees walking a long distance,any suggestions what I could use to help with the problem, starting from Vigo to fistera, hope to do it in 8 days.

Bit hard to share advice and experience without knowing what it is.
And unless qualified heath professionals, who have examined you. we shouldn't.
Have you had a diagnosis from a health professional?

I have knee problems due to arthritis, bursitis and a torn meniscus.
And I cope, as advised, by using a range of treatments and aids.

I'm sure your doctor would be able to advise.
It will probably require some scans.
I get mine re-scanned before each Camino now, to see what has got worse and get up to date treatment advice.

Good luck.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Folks! There is a solution that works. Buy a bike!

 

[mikeatspokes]

I have arthritis in my left knee, and damaged the ligament in my right from a winter cycling fall, but when I did the CF they both felt super, especially as I had just done 500km of cycling in France beforehand. Going over to Roncesvalles from SJPdP didn't feel at the time like a problem, but by the time I had done the descent into Zubiri, my knees, especially my right one had began to hurt. At this time I wasn't using a walking pole. By the time I reached Pamplona my knees hadn't gotten much worse, but just in case I called into the Decathlon there and bought an elasticated knee support, having foolishly not taken one, and started wearing it on my right knee. Well this just made things worse, and by the time I reached Villamayor de Montjardin my knee was hurting so much that I couldn't even lie down with a straight leg, and had to sleep sitting up, propped up against the bedhead (not easy when you're on the top bunk)! The next morning I struggled setting off, having written in my notes that I was having thoughts on whether I could continue, and by the time I got down the slope at the bottom of the village, I had to stop and sit down. But some determination not to give up put in my mind to try it without the knee support, so I took it off and gingerly continued. And as I walked my knee began to feel better, and I was able to carry on after all, later finding a disgarded walking pole in an albergue donativo box which was helpful all the way to Lavicolla, and where I left it in another donativo box.

In retrospect I realized that the knee support had been restricting the blood supply to my knee, even though it hadn't felt too tight. But if I hadn't been struggled with my knee in Villamayor, I would have walked further and not have met several wonderful people, two of whom I ended up walking the rest of the CF, and still remain in contact with!

You may we wondering what this tale of woe has to do with the OP's post? In my mind it is that we shouldn't be deterred by what might seem like overwhelming health problems, and if we really want to do something we should just go for it! Facing adversity often also leads to unexpected and positive outcomes.