Bad knee and walking don't mix
 

I have a bad knee (2 surgeries and knee replacement in the distant future). I am planning to see the main tourist attractions in London in mid-June. I'll be there for 5 days--maybe take a day trip to Oxford.<BR><BR>I know most people walk nearly everywhere in central London. How difficult is this with a bad knee?

Central (i.e., touristy) London is really flat, so get a map and check the distances between things you're considering. Only you can judge how long/far you'll last!<BR><BR>There's no ADA in Britain requiring handicap access, so don't count on finding ramps or elevators and such to expedite things; stairs turn up in the most surprising places.<BR><BR>Avoid the tube, as most rides involve long walks underground and often unexpected flights of stairs. Take cabs, they're fun and not that expensive. For longer distances, investigate the bus routes, they'll involve less hiking and climbing than the tube.<BR><BR>The only major tourist attraction that might give you trouble is the Tower of London, which does involve steep hills (inside the fortress itself), lots of stairs, and rough terrain underfoot (cobblestones etc.) You might want to save the Tower for a trip after you've got your new knee!<BR><BR>The other places that you might want to avoid are those that clearly involve lots of walking, like Greenwich (especially the hike up the hill to the observtory), the botanic gardens at Kew, etc., as well as the obvious ones like the climb to the top of St. Paul's.

Vicki, I suffer with a heel (foot) problem that causes me grief and limits walking at times. As a frequent visitor to London I'd suggest you ride the buses as much as possible. You see more then the tube (obviously) but you also do not have long distances to walk and stairs to climb like in the tube stops. I'd also suggest "pacing" yourself, i.e. if you do walk awhile then take a nice long lunch someplace! Or sit in the park, the weather will be nice and the London parks are marvelous. It's really hard to recommend a no walking/limited walking trip because it seems there is a great deal of walking involved to see the major sights. I would also suggest at ride on the Thames (down to Greenwich). You can sit on the boat and see many of the city sights. <BR><BR>Taxi's can get expensive, but if you are dog tired go for it! The major museums have benches spaced around so you can stop and rest awhile (I have!). Taking in a show or two is always good because it's a sit down activity! <BR><BR>Only you can judge how far you can go and what you can handle, but as the last poster said the city does not have a lot of hills so you don't need to worry about that.<BR><BR>If you do not already have plans for getting in to the city from the airport I 'd suggest a driver pick up service. We have used www.london-transfers.com several times (will again in April) and found them great. One flat fee (unlike a taxi with a meter) and they pick you up right outside of immigration and drop you at your destination. Don't even think about hauling luggage on and off trains, tube, etc.! You can tell them Lori recommended them.<BR><BR>I hope you enjoy your trip.

Lori, how could I have forgotten London Transfers! Even for the completely able-bodied, a pickup service is a good investment, MHO.

Good advice about the bus and taxis. You'll still be able to enjoy a lot at your own pace. The British Museum is wonderful and you can just see a little at a time, then rest. Same thing with Madame Tussaud's if you're interested. Agree with previous poster that Tower of London will be difficult, but if you really want to go, skip all but the Crown Jewels. I would take a walking stick or cane for stability on cobblestones or rough pavement. Investigate the day trip to Oxford a little further... will you be able to see much without constant walking? Have a great time.

I second the recommendation on taxis and the bus. My mom has a bad knee, and when we went to London & paris my sister and I were miserable with her!! We finally sprung for the taxicabs and it made life so much better. No matter what the cost, you don't want to be unhappy, so I say go for the taxi!!

I was in Edinburgh last June with my Dad. I don't believe his knee is as bad as yours, but he really liked the hop-on/hop-off tour guide bus. Especially since Edinburgh is much more hilly. <BR><BR>I know that London has these services. They'll take you directly to all the main attractions.<BR><BR>The one we used was www.guidefriday.com. I believe they operate in Oxford too.

Vicki, Be sure to do the Big Bus Tour. For 15 pounds a day you can hop on hop off the bus all day (for 24 hours, so if you don't get to it til noon the first day, you still get til noon the second day) plus you get a Thames river ride included. Get on top, if weather permits, and you'll see all the sites there are with no walking required.<BR><BR>Also, take taxis... they aren't that expensive and every ride turns into a mini-tour. Skip the underground... too many stairs, too much standing in one place. Besides, underground you don't see anything!<BR><BR>There are LOTs of benches in London so when you walk awhile and get tired you can always find a place to sit and rest.

The Guide Friday on/off bus in Oxford is wonderful. Ride the whole circle first to get your bearings and then choose where you want to get off and on.

Same question -- only about the paths at Cinque Terre. Once you reach the trail do these follow the cliffs in a level fashion or do they go up and down?

Delores, the path between Riomaggiore and Manarola known as the Via Amore is paved and level, but the paths between the other villages can involve a LOT of stairs.

Done both the path (between Corniglia and Vernazza) and the knee surgery. If you have a knee problem the path is out of the question. The one mentioned by Sue is more of a sidewalk.

Vicki,<BR>As a 4-knee surgery veteran planning to go to London tomorrow (yay!), I can sympathize. My husband & I took a trip to Budapest & Vienna this summer, and I was worried about the same issue. My advice, for the walking you may have to do, is this: get some really good walking shoes & take glucosamine/chondroitin (if you're not already). I thought the glucosamine/chondroitin sounded a little iffy for my tastes, but I took it religiously on our trip--and have since--and find that that makes all the difference in the world in terms of knee pain after a long day walking. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it might be worth a shot for you & make for a more enjoyable trip. Bon voyage!

I went with my mother who was pre-knee replacement two years ago, and we found the Tube to be unbearable for her with all the up and down stairs. There isn't very good disabled access. She did benefit greatly from cortisone shots before she went (and since did Paris twice with the help of them). Just take it at your own pace, and I second the suggestions to do the on-off bus tours, that is really a great way to get around and hit all the major spots. Once you actually get to a major site, there's really no climbing, unless you decide to go up St. Paul's dome!<BR><BR>Amy

Vivki-- I ,too, suffer from BAD knee problems-knee surgery didn't work and bad arthritis set in---<BR><BR>I get a shot of cortisone in BOTH KNEES about 2 weeks prior to travel and I also take VIOXX and Glucosamine daily.<BR><BR>When I travel , I also take a collapsable cane with me AND I tell the airlines to schedule WHEELCHAIR ASSIST in ALL AIRPORTS. The airlines will wheel you thru security quickly ( no standing in line so you knee will start to hurt) and also you can board plane early if you are a slow walker due to knee problem.<BR><BR>When the plane lands in England,they will have another person meet your plane with a wheelchair and push you thru customs----------DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ANY OF THIS----I have done it for the past 2 years and I am NOT elderly.<BR>(It also makes standing in a customs line non existent as you fly thru ---with your companions)....so no pain on your knees.<BR><BR>While getting around London or elsewhere, I either take a taxi or car.......and I bring that awful cane with me--it helps to lean on it!<BR><BR>ANd definitely take breaks and sit down-even if it is in an outdoor cafe for a coffee......<BR><BR>Most museums have benches to sit on at various areas in the museums....<BR><BR>Just avoid major walking on the sidewalk for long periods and take taxis---Much more convenient and you won't be in pain...............<BR><BR>Enjoy London!

Andy: Thanks for the heads-up. I see there are a few of us out there with knee and walking problems. Sam

If you are planning a day trip to Oxford you might consider using a coach service called "The Oxford Tube". They are double-decker buses, so you'd hopefully have a nice view during your journey. "Oxford Tube" is part of the Stage Coach Bus company out of Oxford. They pick up in London app every 12-20 minutes I believe at several locations, including Victoria (Grosvenor Gardens) beginning at 8:10am and go direcetly to Oxford.a The "Londoner Return" ticket which you purchase on board is around &pound;9.50 Take it to The Gloucster Green stop in Oxford. From there the company offers a couple of different sight seeing bus tours around the city of Oxford. <BR>I am just suggesting this as a way to make the day trip that might be comfortable for your mother and fun too!<BR>Oxford is a beautiful city and for a first time visit the tour buses are a good idea. Have a wonderful trip!<BR><BR>