Sore ankles

[hcs3]

after a week of diving, my ankles are killing me. on the last day i hardly even want to kick while underwater. is there some sort of ankle braces that would help lend support? or perhaps what would be the best choice of fins to help reduce stress on my ankles?

TIA

 

[beche de mer]

Scooter. Here:

http://www.eurocosm.com/Application/Products/Seadoo/seadoo2GB.asp

 

[Zippsy]

wow, I have never heard of that one before. I have to guess that you are having trouble because of your fins. What brand / type are they? Full / half foot? Old / new? Have you ever had any other problems with your ankles?

 

[clementyn]

hi,

can you be a little more specific on "killing me"? would be easier to discuss if you can expand a little more on the biomechanics that go along with your pain...

what part of the ankle (front/back, inside/outside), hurts with what motion/type of kick, hurts when weight bearing on deck or only when finning, etc? also, anything make it feel better? (ie. stretch in a certain direction takes the edge off? better on first dive of day than last?)

my initial thoughts would go along with zippsy's line of thinking - probably the wrong fin for your type of kick, strength, size, or the like.

in general, treat scuba like any other sport. it's kinda like going back to the gym after a hiatus... easy to overdo it when you haven't done it in a while. i usually get in the pool for some regular finning a week or two before a big trip to get the legs used to it again. also, you might try a pre and post dive stretch, make a concious effort to break up the repetition (repetitive motion is a "killer" on the human body) and/or try alternating kicking types.

- lorien

(normal healthcare practitioner disclaimer applies... comments are for discussion puposes only and are not intended as professional advice)

 

[Arnaud]

after a week of diving, my ankles are killing me. on the last day i hardly even want to kick while underwater. is there some sort of ankle braces that would help lend support? or perhaps what would be the best choice of fins to help reduce stress on my ankles?

TIA

In addition to Clementyn's points, you may want to consider building muscles in your legs and use fins at the pool (even when you don't dive). It's like skiing. If you only ski a week in the year, you're going to have nice inflamed quads by the end of the week, if you don't use those muscles the rest of the year.

 

[hcs3]

thanks for the responses everyone!

What brand / type are they? Full / half foot? Old / new?

the fins i use are dacor tiger and have been with me pretty much since the beginning. these are an open heel style fin for those not familiar with the fin.

Have you ever had any other problems with your ankles?

at 300lbs and 14 years of organized football, my ankles have certainly taken a beating. the ligament and tendons have been stretched plenty, and surely are put to the test still daily due to my size. i broke my right ankle once, but the pain is equal in each ankle which makes me think it is not related to the old injury.

can you be a little more specific on "killing me"? what part of the ankle (front/back, inside/outside), hurts with what motion/type of kick, hurts when weight bearing on deck or only when finning, etc?

once the soreness begins, it is pretty much constant unless/until i get off my feet entirely. even if i leave my foot unsupported - like my feet hanging off the side of the bed or recliner, causes me great discomfort. walking can hurt, especially if i try to pivot on the balls of my feet. the most pain is caused by straightening my foot, eg pointing at something with my toes. while diving, the soreness is usually concentrated on the downstroke. i am not lucky enough to dive regularly, therefore i cannot say if one kick-style is less painful than another.

also, anything make it feel better?

rest

In addition to Clementyn's points, you may want to consider building muscles in your legs

muscle strength is not a problem, i can assure you of that.

i appreciate everyone's thoughts...

henry

 

[billseamon]

Try the new split fins. I have been diving with ScubaPro Jet fins since 1972 and a friend let me try his Apollo BioFins a few years ago and I was sold. Did find that the split fins aren't as good in a strong current, but normal diving and have no problem.

 

[Zippsy]

Dude, I thought your ankles hurt from scuba?!?!? Now I really feel sorry for you! With that additional info, I'd tend to agree - try some good split fins. They take a bit of getting used to (just a few dives) but I think they should put less strain on your ankles. Try to borrow some first and learn how to use them.

The darling Clementyn may be able to tell you some things to do to strengthen just you ankles too. I never new how important that was until I spent 3 months on crutches. Spending time balancing on one leg is one such exercise.

 

[hcs3]

Dude, I thought your ankles hurt from scuba?!?!?

scuba causes it (amongst other things like excess running on treadmills, etc) and once they are sore, everything i do seems to cause me discomfort.

 

[beche de mer]

With 300 lbs and 14 years of football, you probably have some degenerative arthritis of the ankles. Yes, split fins might help. I gather they produce their propulsion in a slightly different way from conventional fins.

Something else you could try is having your ankles strapped by a sports physiotherapist, prior to a weekend's diving. Once you know how, you could do it yourself.