Do you think fins could exacerbate a knee problem?

[fairybasslet]

I've had these fins (I forget what they are) since around '88. In fact, they were my late husbands. I noticed after Flower Gardens over Labor Day, my left knee was hurting. I had had arthroscopic surgery on it in January 2002 to fix a torn menicus. So I rested it, did shorter workouts, and made an appointment with my orthopedist. Well, about 2 weeks ago, it was feeling fine so last Tuesday, I canceled my appointment which was scheduled for last Friday. I know stupid move because by Thursday, it was acting up again. And my Achilles tendon hurts too. I had been diving in NC the weekend before, and even though nothing hurt right after the trip, I'm wondering if it's the fins. Also, the booties are just a tad too big.

 

[miked]

Hi fairybasslet,

The fins might be contributing to the knee pain, but there could be other factors as well. Some things to consider:

How much recent diving have you done? How much since your surgery? Has there been similar pain after other dives? What kind of kick(s) are you using?
Has there been similar pain after other physical activity?

I'd not rule out the fins as the cause, but I'd also not blame them entirely until I checked out the other possible causes.I'd also check it out with the Drs.

From my own experience, when I switched to split fins, and changed my kick, the "sore knees" (after a few "4 dives a day" days) got much better.
Good luck, keep us posted,

Mike

 

[Louie]

I'm not a doctor or knee specialist but I do know that poorly fitting or inappropriate fins can hurt various body parts.

If they are too heavy for you, then you are working your legs harder - if you were advised to take it easy on the legs/knees, you may not be doing any good.

If they are too big, then you get water resistance and you fin too hard (or even worse, start doing that dreaded bicycle kick).

I know people who had switched to different fins because they were suffering from problems and muscular-skeletal injuries and said it made diving much easier.

Perhaps it's time for new fins that are more suitable and fitted properly. I put up with poorly fitted fins for a while - because someone took off with mine on a boat and left me theirs (size too big) - and it was very annoying and uncomfortable.

 

[Web Monkey]

I have a bad knee also, and switched from rigid fins to ScubaPro TwinJet Splits.

Not only did my knees stop hurting from diving, but they felt better than they had even before I started diving. It's nice soft, non-jarring exercise that gets your joints moving without banging on them.

The splits feel very soft in the water, and are very low-stress on your joints. It's difficult to do some styles of kicks with them, but with bad knees, you're probably not going to be frog-kicking much anyway.

I wouldn't trade mine in for anything (I'd have to stop diving).

Terry

I've had these fins (I forget what they are) since around '88. In fact, they were my late husbands. I noticed after Flower Gardens over Labor Day, my left knee was hurting. I had had arthroscopic surgery on it in January 2002 to fix a torn menicus. So I rested it, did shorter workouts, and made an appointment with my orthopedist. Well, about 2 weeks ago, it was feeling fine so last Tuesday, I canceled my appointment which was scheduled for last Friday. I know stupid move because by Thursday, it was acting up again. And my Achilles tendon hurts too. I had been diving in NC the weekend before, and even though nothing hurt right after the trip, I'm wondering if it's the fins. Also, the booties are just a tad too big.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Here's what I've been suffering from:
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_pesanser_sma.htm

Jetfins/Turtle Fins are very heavy and I primarily do a Frog Kick; in the meantime while waiting for my bursa to heal, I'll still dive but use my Scooter instead to get around

 

[Snowbear]

I have a bad knee also, and switched from rigid fins to ScubaPro TwinJet Splits.

I did the opposite. I switched from Apollo Biofins (splits) to jetfins. I also switched from the modified flutter kick that's the ideal for the Apollos to the frog kick. So, instead of having to fin almost constantly to keep moving, I learned to kick once and glllllliiiiiiiiide. Just having to kick so much less got rid of the knee pain, not to mention the decrease in air consumption. The only downfall I've found is that by moving (excersizing ) less, I tend to get cold faster.

 

[Diver Lori]

Ditto Snowbear.

I have Jets also....love them. Had a knee tear skiing last winter; broke an ankle 4 years ago; Jets and frogkick are very kind to the knee and the ankle. In fact, I can't flutter kick anymore....just doesn't feel natural and it's too taxing.

 

[cleung]

You might also want to try another type of kick which may use your legs in a different way. Might be better for your knee.

 

[lilycat]

Kicking with fins makes my wonky ankle hurt a bit...don't laugh at my badminton injury.

 

[fairybasslet]

Kicking with fins makes my wonky ankle hurt a bit...don't laugh at my badminton injury.

:smileysto Sorry. I couldn't help myself.