Knee problems

Yes it's a Steves tour. Refundable except for deposit. Plane is refundable and so is hotel for extra day.

Sue- talk to your Physical Therapist and your Doctor. If you can tolerate climbing a few flights of stairs (many of the hotels Rick's tours use don't have elevators) while carrying your bag (should weigh less than 20 lb.) and can walk a good distance at a normal pace without swelling and pain, then why cancel? If you are still struggling with those issues, why go? You don't want to cause further injury or slow the healing. And you don't want to be in pain on a trip. Be honest with yourself and listen to the professionals. You may be quite capable of doing this - but if not, that's what insurance is for.

Sue, I'll add to Toni's advice by noting that Tube stops often involve a lot of walking. Yes, there are escalators and elevators, But, many Tube stations are very old (the system itself is about 150 years old) and getting to your train often involves a long walk and going up and down some stairs. Not huge stairs, but just enough to be annoying and tiring, especially at the end of a long day.

Modern hotels and modern buildings will have elevators. Any building that has managed to become "listed", i.e., old enough to be recognized as historic -- and there are very, very many -- , very likely won't.

London and most of England is pretty flat. Wales and Scotland have real hills and mountains.

Plus, as on any trip, you are certain to be walking much more than you would back home.

Only you can decide if your knee is up to the trip. If it was me and I was going alone, I would just plan on taking my time and not stressing the knee. On a group tour, trying to keep up with a schedule, I'm not sure I could do that.

Many hotels in England, even updated ones, have no elevator or present situations for stair-climbing. The Rick Steves tours do involve a fair amount of walking and moving about. If you expect limitations, don't tour but consider an independent trip where you can ride in taxis and sit on park benches if you want.

I've been on RS tours with travelers who had movement limitations. They had great spirits and kept up one way or the other. One fellow with blisters on both feet took a taxi or two when we were in towns. Another tour member with a very bad knee had a husband to move her luggage and help her.

Sue, your scheduled tour is actually one of the least stenuous ones, according to the itinerary. It looks like your main concern will probably be London, and you're only there 2 days at the end of the tour. By then, you'll have a good idea how things are going; if the stairs at the Tube are too much and your tour guide tells you there will be lots of 'Tubing', perhaps you and the tour guide can improvise - you meet everyone else while taking a taxi to the next place (may need to skip an activity to do this). Just a thought...

I HIGHLY encourage you to consider taking a combination cane/stool with you. In addition to walking and climbing, there's a lot of standing to do on European vacations and on tours in particular. Lots of standing in line for sites, and lectures from tour guides in museums, etc. An example of these is the "Sport Stool" sold by Magellan's Travel Supplies (Item WA222 - www.magellans.com).

Also, prepare to ice your knee (&/or apply heat - per your doctor's advice). You CANNOT carry-on a gel-filled ice pack; if you're checking a bag then it's OK. That's an entirely different topic that's been discussed on the Helpline...(you MAY be able to bring a gel-filled ice pack onboard with a doctor's note, but you'd have to TRY to contact the TSA and ask) You could also get ice there from your B&B/hotel each night, if available (they could suggest where to find some). I believe the RS Tours provide a list of hotels prior to your departure; maybe you could contact them with your request...

Take good care of that knee, and the rest of you!

The suggesstion of a cane/seat is excellent. Also, if you feel you will want to treat your knee with heat, you can now buy rolls of tape that "heat up" on contact with the skin. They are like the back heat wraps, but you can cut them to whatever size you need. Hubby just got a roll and is using it on a foot injury. You could also get a product called BioFreeze. It goes on cool and then warms up. It is a bit expensive and not all pharmacies carry it (though it is 'over the counter'; my Mom swears by it as a great pain reliever. You could pack it in your checked luggage or get Dr. to write a medical needs note. As far as ice, take lots of ziploc bags. If nothing else works, ask for a couple of cups of ice at McDonalds. We never had a problem getting a few cups of free ice the year I needed to ice my ankle. I'd also ask your Dr. about a ace bandage type slip on knee brace. It might help support your knee and reduce swelling.

Can you get your MD or a specialist to inject some cortisone into the joint? My rheumatologist will do that for me sometimes if I have a flare-up before a trip. Yes, it hurts like he77 while he is doing it, but it fixes it for the trip!

I second the cortisone suggestion. I've had it before a trip, and it works wonders (and my shot didn't hurt!).

Been all over Europe and one thing I know is there is a lot of walking and some more rugged than others. Even in good shape my feet hips and knees feel it for the first few days. So you may want to be in good shape before you go. Talk to your PT.

Thank you for the info about the tour! It is appreciated! My doc has said she will give me shots, if needed, right before I go. The physical therapist will let me know how well I'm progressing by next Thursday. My orthopedic appt is on the 23rd. Only one open until October. So, I'm crossing my fingers. Your suggestions are all being jotted down. Thanks for the idea of the cane seat and the ice from McD's. Much appreciated!

Sue, think about how miserable you'll be if your knee becomes painful on your trip. My mother and I went on a European tour a few years ago. She missed seeing Paris because her knee hurt so much. She said that knee pain is one of the worst kinds of pain. Thank God for a French pharmacy where I purchased codiene without a prescription. Mother had a knee replacement shortly after returning home. The long flight and walking in the airport didn't help either.
But if you still go- I agree, carry a cane, wear good shoes and rest whenever you can.

I have a bad right knee and did 17 days in Ireland last fall. Yes, I did have a couple of days of problems but I went prepared: good shoes, a fold up cane, a wonderful knee brace - stretchy kind with opening for knee cap I bought at a medical supply store for about $15.00 - that did the trick, Bio-Freeze which can purchased in England at Boots or online at Amazon, Advil, and sit and rest when you can. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you ALL for your help and suggestions. Saw the orthopedic doc today and he's cleared me to go. I am excited now, and looking forward to going. THe shots in the knees are an option I can exercise before I go. Thanks again!

I was in London in March (4 months after knee surgery) and I had a pretty hard time. The tube is filled with lots of steps and everywhere you go there are steps. Also, consider that everyone in London seems like they are in a huge hurry. I was moving pretty slow and seemed to aggravate alot of people with my pace. I had to use hand rails and take the steps like a toddler. I was tussled and bumped alot and got alot of pissy looks. Seems like every loo I used was down or up 2 flights of steps! Sights and things were handicap friendly but not common London buildings. Good luck[INVALID] I don't think I would do it again that soon out.

Glad to hear your doctor cleared you, but remember your knee will probably hurt from all the walking and steps. I know you will want to see and do everything with the rest of the group, but if you have to take a break and rest your knee. I love England and I know you will have a great time.

That suggestion of a cortisone shot just before you leave is very good. Talk to your doctor. In fact, you might want to investigate how to get one during the trip, if worse comes to worse.