Sprained ankle and getting up a ladder & finning

[sytech]

I severely sprained my ankle about a month ago.

The swelling has subsided and it feels "almost normal", I have been using an ankle support brace for weeks and that has helped a lot.

I'm scheduled to go to Bonaire on September 6th. which is several weeks off and hope I'm 100% by then but if not I am worried about re-injuring my ankle by carrying all the gear/tank weight as well as by finning.

I guess I'm the only one who will really know for sure but was wondering if anyone has had such an issue and how they handled it.


Thanks,


Sy

 

[Web Monkey]

I severely sprained my ankle about a month ago.

The swelling has subsided and it feels "almost normal", I have been using an ankle support brace for weeks and that has helped a lot.

I'm scheduled to go to Bonaire on September 6th. which is several weeks off and hope I'm 100% by then but if not I am worried about re-injuring my ankle by carrying all the gear/tank weight as well as by finning.

I have an ankle that I've sprained on several occasions and also broke and also has a little arthritis. It's a real treat

When it's acting up, I take my doctor's sage advice: "Doc, it hurts when I do this! Well, If it hurts, don't do it!"

Seriously, if you can be nice to it, give it a try and see how it feels. Gentle finning always makes mine feel better, and if I need a hand, my buddy is always willing to give me a hand with the heavy stuff.

I certainly wouldn't be spending a lot of time finning into the current or carrying anything heavy.

Please note that I'm not a doctor, don't play one on TV.

Terry

 

[cutlass]

All my sprains have been the relatively minor inversion, Grade I type. I laid-off scuba until I could do wobble-board exercises without any limping afterwards. The worst lasted about 3 weeks. In the meanwhile, I swam when I could; adding bodysurfer fins when I could walk normally on level ground.

You said, "..severe...". Has your injury been evaluated and monitored by a doc?

Ankle sprains involve the ligaments which stabilize the joint. These, as well as tendons, typically have less blood flow as compared to other tissues like muscles; declining with age. This reduces the flow of nutrients and material to, and removal of waste from, the injury site. The result is a relatively slower, longer healing process. Patience and attention is needed to ensure that tissue is given the chance to rebuild in an optimal way. This is why monitoring and adhering to a proper rehab schedule is important.

 

[TSandM]

Wobble board and other proprioceptive exercises are very good at strengthening the ankle's supports and reducing the likelihood of further injury. Since you have several weeks before your trip, see if you can get a referral to a physical therapist and do some of that kind of thing.

 

[gert7to3]

You might try wearing a supportive boot or get a neoprene ankle brace.

Consider getting your buddies to help carry your BC into the water and don it there, instead of walking in fully loaded.

Go on boat dives and again, inflate your BC and don it in the water.

Use a softer flexing fin. The Zeagle Travel Fin might be the ticket for this purpose.

Mask Snorkels and Fins Zeagle Systems - Scuba Diving Equipment Manufacturer

 

[sytech]

After reading up on sprains I'd say mine was "moderate" because a "severe" sprain could prevent you from putting much weight on it and hobble you altogether.

Mine has improved a lot but I purchased another ankle brace, this one having very rigid plastic supports on either side. I will wear them in my dive boots (which themselves are pretty rugged) and hope for the best. I think I'll be ok.

Bonaire here I come!!!!!


Sy







QUOTE=cutlass;3776714]All my sprains have been the relatively minor inversion, Grade I type. I laid-off scuba until I could do wobble-board exercises without any limping afterwards. The worst lasted about 3 weeks. In the meanwhile, I swam when I could; adding bodysurfer fins when I could walk normally on level ground.

You said, "..severe...". Has your injury been evaluated and monitored by a doc?

Ankle sprains involve the ligaments which stabilize the joint. These, as well as tendons, typically have less blood flow as compared to other tissues like muscles; declining with age. This reduces the flow of nutrients and material to, and removal of waste from, the injury site. The result is a relatively slower, longer healing process. Patience and attention is needed to ensure that tissue is given the chance to rebuild in an optimal way. This is why monitoring and adhering to a proper rehab schedule is important.[/QUOTE]