Travel to Italy on Village Italy in 14 Days Tour with replacement hip

I've had both knee & hip replacements. Last one was a hip replacement and 10 weeks later I took the train from MN to Washington, D.C. and walked more than 15000 steps on several days. Of course that was mostly flat and I did bring my cane just in case, but it was really not a problem. I took the Heart of France tour 9 months after my knee replacement and was able to walk up and down the hill to the church at the top of Mont St Michel with no problems either. BTW, I was in my 60's when I had that knee replacement and was almost 80 when I had the hip replacement (and I'd had the second knee replacement 10 months previously.) Talk to your doctor, be sure to walk every day and take your cane when you go on your trip. If for no other reason to give you confidence on the cobblestones. I took the Village Tour 2 years before my first knee replacement and was having pain then, but I did just fine. Take the tour, if you start to feel uncomfortable, opt out of that activity. The guides are very understanding about this.

Thanks so much for that information, Laura Beth!
That really helps to have an idea how others have got along!

Thanks again,
Ben Ferguson

Hey Ben! I can't speak to your specific plans, but I have some suggestions that may help you assess and prepare. You've got some time.

My suggestions are based on a recent experience. We were planning on walking the Herriot Way last September. On July 31st, I fell and broke my hip. I now have two titanium rods in my right femur and hip. Needless to say, we had to cancel, but set a goal to walk in the Spring. Last May, we walked 90 miles in 9 days through the Lake District of England, including walking trails over mountains. We logged 202 miles of walking in May.

• Up your walking. Build up to 10k steps most days, with longer walks every week or so. Try to walk some varied terrain and do a few walks the same length of your longest day on the trip.
  • Consider using a physical therapist. If you are retired, you may qualify for insurance to pay for it. A good PT can create a plan to help get in shape for the trip.
  • Review your weight. If you are overweight, plan a reasonable program to lose some before the trip. Over the last two years, I've lost 90 pounds and it has made a huge difference in my overall health. I went from 135/90 on blood pressure medicine to 105/65 with no medication.

I hope you decide to go, especially if you've never been to Italy. We'll spend two weeks this October at an Agri turismo just outside Perugia, helping them harvest their olives and taking cooking classes from a Nonna.

I agree with DougMac - its all about the training to build up the mileage and good balance on uneven surfaces. Seeing a physical therapist to help create a safe plan to work up to the 10,000+ steps per day including stairs, etc is a great idea.

I had hip replacement surgery 8 months ago. I've also had a knee replacement a few years ago. I'm going on BOE in 21 days in two months. This weekend I was able to do a 7 mile easy/moderate hike in the mountains without any problems. I've been paying out of pocket for a PT visit once a month for the past few months to help create a plan to build up strength and endurance and it has been great. It's definitely a good investment to help ensure you have a great time on your trip.

You have a lot of time between now and your April trip which will be great to build up the strength and distance you'll need to enjoy it fully!

I agree with the others. I have had my replacement hip for about two years now and can walk and climb hills just fine. I think if you make a point to build up to 10,000-15,000 steps and throw in some hills you should be ok.
I never feel my new hip is a hindrance, hopefully yours healed well.

Thanks to everyone for their valuable input!
If anyone who has recently taken the Village Italy in 14 days recently could pitch in that would be great!

Otherwise, thanks to all!

Thanks,
Ben Ferguson