As discussed, we decided we needed to get my knee checked out as I was effectively unable to go uphill or downhill without pain - flat is more or less OK!! Had a very pleasant doctor at the Kerikeri Medical Centre check it out. The first thing he said was that I had a very loose medial ligament on my right knee ("marked medial laxity" on the medical notes!!). I think this was probably from significant knee damage 20+ years ago.
Net result was that the lower rightleg can bend outwards when it should stay straight - this led to pinching of the synovial membrane in the outer knee joint --> sharp pain! So, nothing serious, but I need to get the swelling down, work on exercises to bulk up my right quad to help with stability, and get a brace for now to help maintain stability. Not sure how long that will take but I'm hopeful it will be ready to go in the near future. In the meantime we plan a few shorter, flatter section of the TA around here (Waitangi through to Opua) while in recovery mode. Already did a 3km walk this morning on part of the rail trail from Opua. So - R&R for now - am hoping to be back on deck with some more stories in the near future. Thanks for all the supportive comments - its only a minor hiccup as far as we are concerned and our journey will continue!!
15 Comments
Andrea
29/10/2015 10:45:14
Thanks for the update - hope the knee improves rapidly. You may want to learn how to strap it for support as well - could be more supportive than a brace?
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Ant
31/10/2015 09:41:48
Made a decision to go to physic on Monday to get a bit of advice on all of that, including what sort of brace might be best - so will see how that goes.
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Cindy Piller
30/10/2015 06:18:30
Here's to a rapid recovery. Loving the notes and incredible pictures. What a trip! xx
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Ant
31/10/2015 09:44:49
Thanks Cindy. Seems like slow progress, but we'll see - hopefully we can continue on before too long. Scenery is fantastic - even for us kiwis. Maybe we can put the Continental Divide Trail on our bucket list - and we can see some of that Rocky Mountain scenery closer to your back yard!!
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Cynthia
30/10/2015 07:44:14
We'll definitely a challenging few days!! I hope the knee sorts out quickly Anthony! Great photos. A true Hobbit adventure!
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Ant
31/10/2015 09:46:12
Thanks Cynthia - fingers crossed I don't hold us up too much longer!! A bit frustrating as you can imagine!
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Mary Richardson
30/10/2015 08:15:29
Photos and blogs all great, thanks for the updates. all the best for a speedy recovery Anthony. Cheers to you both.
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Ant
31/10/2015 09:48:57
Thanks Mary. Hope Sierra Leone is treating you and John as well as can be hoped for!! Hope the photos don't make you miss the bush too much!! All the best. Hoping to catch up with Ben when we get to Aukland - assuming my gammy knee will right itself!!
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Melissa
30/10/2015 22:55:50
Going well team! As you say Ant, a minor knee setback hopefully. I just completed a 36k walk last Weekend and can see how you can get a bit of a taste of the walking and exploring! Keep it up! 😜
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Ant
31/10/2015 09:50:56
Watch out - i can see how it would be contagious - especially (at least for us) walking off road / in the bush. It's a shame that one short stretch of bitumen road walking may have contributed to the knee problem!! Such is life
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Jennifer
5/11/2015 07:20:29
Been thinking of you guys - wondering how knee is doing (my own knees frustrate me) and if you've managed to get back on the trail.
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Barb
5/11/2015 08:11:28
Hello A & B
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B
7/11/2015 12:11:50
Hi Barb
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Emma Rogerson
5/11/2015 08:25:04
WOW just heard about your amazing adventure and seen your blog. Good on you both and I look forward to reading more once your knee comes right. Let me know if you need a bed once you hit Nelson xx
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A & B
7/11/2015 10:05:25
Thanks Emma! The knee is proving a bit troublesome so may need a bit more of a break yet. Did 24km or so yesterday from Kerikeri to Paihia as it was all on roads and forestry tracks so not to rough. Managed OK but knee was still an issue going uphill, so not yet confident it can handle NZ tramping tracks. Maybe soon - here's hoping.
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AuthorBelinda and Anthony (aka Tony) Hadfield made a decision, in their late 50's, to do something a "bit different" and walk New Zealand's 3000km Te Araroa Trail over summer 2015/16 - although updates will now tell you that this plan will take longer now!!. As the old saying goes - "don't leave home 'til you've seen the country"!! Archives
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