Walking in Spain - Foot Problems Advice

I have off and on foot pain, I do wear Altras and use the Correct toe inserts but with your recent surgery I would probably not try the Correct Toes before you travel. I've worn Altras since 2016 when I had a horrible bout of plantar fasciitis during a RS tour. Are you used to the zero drop platform of the Altras?

I always travel with Sue Hitzman's MELT balls. She says her system helps hydrate your fascia. I'm not sure if I buy that but I can tell you it works. You do have to do it consistently. I use it every night when I am traveling and do a quickie in the AM if my feet feel stiff. I am 73 and overweight.

https://meltmethod.com/

Here are some links to her Youtube videos with the foot treatment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U34jW90_WC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEpuhs9Pru8

I have her older foot and hand kit which has 2 large soft balls, 2 large hard balls and 2 small hard balls. ON vacation I take 1 soft, and one each of the small and large hard balls to do quick treatments on my feet.

BTW, I would probably take a cane or walking stick if you've been using one at home. No one is going to blink twice at your use of an assistive device.

Older woman here. I did some damage, possible torn tendons and ligaments, to a foot that took a long time to heal (over 2 years). I was in Spain in 2017 and still felt the effects of the increase in exercise, hills and uneven terrain. I had orthotics and the recommended shoes from podorthist.
You don't say where you will be traveling. I was in Madrid, Valencia and other cities in Andalucia. Steep cities and old town streets were the hardest. Madrid and Sevilla were easiest.
For myself, it was recommended to not use any stick or cane as it would change my gait and cause pain issues elsewhere in my body.
I understand some people are using trekking sticks in European cities, but I expect some museums and sites may not permit them.
Take some zip lock bags for ice packs, something for heat for relief, recommended meds and perhaps a tensor bandage if allowed. You may need to break away from your group at times. Embrace the siesta to elevate and rest your recovering limbs.
I am the kind of Mom who won't lie to their kids. So here you go. Cobble stones, bricks, uneven surfaces are hard on healthy travelers. Just imagine all the little shifts and turns your recovering muscles and ligaments will be feeling walking 5K on those surfaces. Take what you need for stability, and get over the pride of needing a crutch or a cane if they offer the best support...and be prepared for more breaks.

Yes…get a trekking pole or a nicely carved hiking stick. I have been saved many times from a fall of rolling my ankles on uneven surfaces with trekking pole. I know it makes you feel self conscious…as you are young. Be wise on this….. in Europe there are so many steps, and smooth slick cobblestones or navigating crowded areas all challenging. No one will notice you as they are experiencing their own distractions. Better safe than injured!!

60 year old, active with bad knees. On trips, we can average 10 miles a day, walking, some days we've gotten close to 15+. The last few years, I've been bringing a fold up cane along for my trips (Sicily, France/Spain, and Portugal) I've ended up using it on every trip, usually when my knees are fatigued by the end of the day. I feel self-conscious, yes, but I don't think others give it a second thought. I bring a cane because we do carry on only, and there is some question whether a walking stick is TSA acceptable. My walking sticks are expensive, and I don't want them taken away. I also think for city streets, a cane works better. Especially on cobblestones. It is certainly better on stairs and downhill. A few times, my husband has commented, just use the cane, you're tired, it's safer. I do have the advantage of my husband carrying the cane with his photography gear until I need it.

If you want to give a cane a try, I ordered from Walgreens and it was $25.

I also have capsilitis in one foot, due to high arches, and shoes are everything. I have insoles and a metatarsal insert. Don't underestimate the quality of footwear and orthotics.

I got so many great suggestions on the forum for coping with my knee issues. I bring a couple ziplocks and old washclothes. Wet the washcloth and freeze in the ziplock. It's heaven at the end of the day. It would be great for swollen feet. Inns/hotels have been very gracious about freezing it for me.

Couple suggestions.

I have two children (in early 30s) with ankle issues because of injuries and both find hiking boots give them much more support on uneven surfaces. They wear high ones. My daughter brought two different pairs on our recent trip to Sicily.

I have had my own foot issues and last year when I went to Crete I brought a hot water bottle that I would fill with ice or water (and freeze) to ice my foot after walking. It made a big difference. We almost always had a fridge. I found putting the hot water bottle in freezer on a plastic baggie worked-when I forgot it stuck to the freezer!

In terms of Spain specific advice, you can always count on taxis in the major cities of Spain, they are plentiful, safe, and cheap, if walking becomes too much I'd say wave down a taxi.

A stiffer sole is better than a flexible sole on cobblestones.
Look at Mephisto shoes.

Thank you everyone for such great advice. A couple of thoughts/questions:

-yes, I do already wear Alrras and they are okay. Mine are dated so debating between Altra and Hoka. I do wear orthotics in any shoe.
- Mephistos are amazing and last year I splurged on a pair of Mephisto sneakers. Generally, I’d prefer them over running shoes but post-surgery foot still feels more comfort in running shoes so unsure. Keep opinions coming.
- I have an Rei walking stick/staff. But, you guys bring up an excellent concern with TSA requirements. I’m going to check if it can somehow fit into my carry on as I prefer not to check any luggage in. If not, I may go for a cane. Any recommendations on a travel-friendly good quality walking cane?
-I will try the Melt balls, they look helpful.
- Wow, love the ziploc bag and icing ideas. Thanks everyone.

Again, I’m flattered with the sound tips I’m getting here and welcome more.

Before my knee replacements (extremely worn cartilage), I was prescribed Meloxicam to use as a daily anti-inflammatory. It worked well for me and it is easy on the stomach. Ask your doctor if that would help you? I have used the ointments, with mild success.

My advice to you is to be comfortable and not be self-conscious. I have had mystery mobility issues with my back and knees that came on suddenly and with no cause for 9 months now. I also have a long-standing tendinitis issue in my right foot. I have found that knee-high compression socks help tremendously with my knees. These were recommended by my vascular doctor, and they really enable me to walk and stand much longer than if I don’t wear them.

I just returned from a two week European trip that I was very nervous about due to mobility. It involved five flight segments. The first two segments I walked through the airport, but I was really feeling it in my knee (badly limping) at the second segment so I requested wheelchair assistance for the third segment, which was a good thing, because the airport was enormously long, and there were no moving sidewalks, or any mobility help of any kind. I ended up renting a wheelchair for four days in London, using a wheelchair rental site that delivered to my hotel, and this worked great for a couple of museums. I didn’t use it all the time, typically in the afternoons, if we did a second site and my knee was already shot.

Did I feel self-conscious? You betcha. Especially because I have always been super active up until this past year and I “look” healthy and I’m in my mid 40s. But did admitting my limitations and asking for help enable me to have a successful European trip that I had serious doubts I would even be able to do? Absolutely. So my advice to you would be do whatever it takes to help yourself and don’t do anything that will risk undoing the good work the surgery has achieved for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, tell your family when you are at your limit, and use any and all assistance available to you.

Start with the MELT balls before you go. Drink a glass of water about an hour before bedtime (her email advice to me!), then do them right before you get into bed. I don't bother with her pre-post testing and I can do both feet in about 5 -6 minutes. I do better with a shorter session but consistently day after day.

I am a fan of hiking boots in the city as that thicker, stiffer sole is better on cobblestones and asphalt. When I wear shoes like Altra, Hoka, etc. my feet ache after about 10km, so bad that I can't sleep. With boots, they don't and I can then walk as much as I like.
Do get a set of Z-fold poles that you can use when you like, or carry folded up in your bag.

I wanted to thank everyone for the excellent advice. My post-surgery foot is getting better but there will be some challenges. Here’s what I planned:

• shoes I’m taking Alrra via Olympus (I’ve had these and they work well for me with orthotics)
• may also pack my mephistos
• I purchased a Leki travel cane/hiking stick that folds to 19 inch for carry on and seems to support weight well.
• I got the melt foot massage balls. I don’t really follow the program videos but have been iso f them and they seem great.
• I am no longer in boot but will take a good brace
• Love the ziploc bags for making ice packs idea and plan on that.

Best advice I got from everyone here is to know my limits, not be self-conscious and just enjoy the time.

Thanks everyone and I’m always open to hearing more ideas. Thanks.

Not sure if you have any issues with standing for long periods of time, but I purchased a collapsible stool and it has allowed me to enjoy walking tours with a lot more comfort as I can sit down during stops, or even just to sit for a few minutes while I listen to an audioguide: https://www.amazon.ca/Retractable-Telescopic-Collapsible-Lightweight-Adjustable/dp/B086BN4JL6/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Foldable+Stools&qid=1687285558&sr=8-5