Fused ankle/fins?
- Thread starter gypsyjim
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OP
Thanks everyone. I appreciate every bodies suggestions. It is all a part of my eventual decision.
I have lived with a partially fused ankle for over 40 years now, from a botched attempt to correct a club foot. I have long since learned to deal with significantly limited mobility and near constant pain in the joint, but as I have gotten older the pain has become more severe.
I am not thrilled that the only solution the surgeon can come up with is complete fusion, which might eliminate the pain, but would certainly eliminate the already severely limited motion I now have, completely. OK, I'll save that "final" option till there are no others, thanks Doc.
In the meantime I am scheduled to consult a pain Doctor that can either soften the pain, or possibly burn the pain nerve. I am combining this approach with doing ankle development work with my martial arts instructor, which has produced limited but welcome relief.
Having always had to deal with a partial fusion I have found that the angle of the blade on split fins provides better thrust, but have to be put on either in the water, or at edge of boat, as there is no way I can lift my toes, to walk in the one fin.
Again, Thanks!
I have lived with a partially fused ankle for over 40 years now, from a botched attempt to correct a club foot. I have long since learned to deal with significantly limited mobility and near constant pain in the joint, but as I have gotten older the pain has become more severe.
I am not thrilled that the only solution the surgeon can come up with is complete fusion, which might eliminate the pain, but would certainly eliminate the already severely limited motion I now have, completely. OK, I'll save that "final" option till there are no others, thanks Doc.
In the meantime I am scheduled to consult a pain Doctor that can either soften the pain, or possibly burn the pain nerve. I am combining this approach with doing ankle development work with my martial arts instructor, which has produced limited but welcome relief.
Having always had to deal with a partial fusion I have found that the angle of the blade on split fins provides better thrust, but have to be put on either in the water, or at edge of boat, as there is no way I can lift my toes, to walk in the one fin.
Again, Thanks!
My apologies to everyone for dredging up older posts.
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The problem is that the ankle is a fairly small structure which has a gargantuan job. I'm not an orthopod but AFAIK, while there are prosthestics available, the bigger problem is that the surgical technique just hasn't reached the point of giving safe and consistent results. Products generally fall into two types: constrained and non-constrained. The former attempts to return limited function; the latter to near-normal or normal function. In terms of technique, remodeling ankle structures to accept the devices is extremely tricky. Not only is the extent of damage highly variable, but the attachments must be properly aligned, strong, and durable. Misalignment would force other body structures to compensate, possibly creating more problems elsewhere. Mismatches of artifical and natural material strengths could also redirect stresses along planes or to structures not able to handle them. Even more, the safety of nerves and blood vessels must be assured. Compromising these would risk crippling or killing the foot.
To be more hopeful, there was this Board discussion about an interesting fin product: Shinfins I think a scooter is a good idea; I know of paraplegics who use them.
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The problem is that the ankle is a fairly small structure which has a gargantuan job. I'm not an orthopod but AFAIK, while there are prosthestics available, the bigger problem is that the surgical technique just hasn't reached the point of giving safe and consistent results. Products generally fall into two types: constrained and non-constrained. The former attempts to return limited function; the latter to near-normal or normal function. In terms of technique, remodeling ankle structures to accept the devices is extremely tricky. Not only is the extent of damage highly variable, but the attachments must be properly aligned, strong, and durable. Misalignment would force other body structures to compensate, possibly creating more problems elsewhere. Mismatches of artifical and natural material strengths could also redirect stresses along planes or to structures not able to handle them. Even more, the safety of nerves and blood vessels must be assured. Compromising these would risk crippling or killing the foot.
To be more hopeful, there was this Board discussion about an interesting fin product: Shinfins I think a scooter is a good idea; I know of paraplegics who use them.
OP
I had completely forgotten that I had started this thread.
It has now been 3 years since I did finally undergo the full fusion of my left ankle. I do not regret the decision, as it did relieve the pain, and I can now actually walk better, and further than for several years before the fusion.
Other than my Tiibia fracturing at the site of a screw hole, while on the SB Coz Invasion, the fusion has not impacted my diving, or required me to change my fin choice or alter my kicks.
I know that my kick cycle has to involve a slight bend to that knee, but I probably made that adjustment decades earlier, due to the near fusion that was done when I was 15, before I began diving.
As I indicated, the only serious accomodation I have had to make it that I nearly always enter the water with my fins looped around my arm, and don them after my entry. Sometimes on a boat dive I will stop at the stern to don them, if I am not holding up other divers, but what I do NOT do is attempt to walk in my fins.
cyclingman
Registered
Maybe consider Force Fins? They're the only thing I can think of with substantially different biomechanics from pretty much all other fins.
OP
Not that I plan on going in this direction, I do see a product called Shin Fins, specifically intended for use with a fused ankle.
shinfin.com
I am not recommending these, as I know nothing about them, so I am just passing info and possible options along.
Fix foot fin faults
shinfin™ leg fins strap on your legs. Fix foot fin faults. For pool & sea. Easy walk. Adjustable. Comfortable. Light. Tough. Streamlined kick.
shinfin.com
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