Tendonitis caused by ankle weight?

[dazedone]

I started using ankle weights with my drysuit. After the first dive with them, I noticed a slight pain in my ankle, kind of like a bruise. My dive buddy said he had the same problem once and told me to move the weights farther up my ankle, which helped.

When I got home, it still felt like a bruise and was a little swollen, but had no problem walking or even working out on the elliptical.

2 days later, the ankle swells up like a baloon and the pain was excruciating. I could no longer walk. Called DAN to rule out DCS. They asked me if I move my ankle does it hurt more. I said yes. DAN Said DCS is constant pain and does not hurt more when you move, DAN said just to go get an x-ray since there is little no no chance my pain is from DCS. Went to the ER, X-rays were normal and the doc says I injured my tendon and put me on crutches and pain meds.

Has this happened to anyone before? It just seems strange that a 1.5lb ankle weight could do all this damage.

Thanks,
David

 

[outlawaggie]

I've suffered from Tendonitis since High School (running track). Ask your doctor to give you a prescription of Naproxen. brand name Naprosyn. This is not the same as Naproxen Sodium which is Aleve. Naprosyn is an anti inflamtory. It will actually treat the problem rather than just hide it like pain meds. Once this goes away you might try Motrin (over the counter) for a couple of days prior to a dive. It is also an antiinflammatory (much weaker than Naprosyn) and will help prevent reoccurance.

Also, let this heal COMPLETELY before you go back at it. You might try a neoprene ankle brace next time. It's what I use(plus Motrin) and I have not had a problem in several years now.

by the way, I'm not a doctor....just dealt with tendonitis for about 16 years now.

 

[dazedone]

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. I will mention that to my doctor when I call him today.

 

[SubMariner]

I've suffered from Tendonitis since High School (running track). Ask your doctor to give you a prescription of Naproxen. brand name Naprosyn. This is not the same as Naproxen Sodium which is Aleve.

What does my medication look like?

Naproxen is available with a prescription generically and under the brand names Anaprox, Naprosyn, EC-Naprosyn, and Naprelan. It is also available over the counter under the brand name Aleve. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Naprosyn 250 mg--round, yellow tablets
Naprosyn 375 mg--oblong, peach-colored tablets
Naprosyn 500 mg--oblong, yellow tablets
Naprosyn Suspension 125 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)
EC-Naprosyn 375 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets
EC-Naprosyn 500 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets
Anaprox 275 mg--oval, light-blue, film-coated tablets
Anaprox DS 550 mg--oval, dark-blue, film-coated tablets
Naprelan 375 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets
Naprelan 500 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets
Brand Names:

Aleve
Aleve Caplet
Anaprox
Anaprox-DS
EC Naprosyn
Naprelan
Naprosyn

Although not a physician, I have taken OTC ibuprofin or naproxen/naproxen sodium for inflammation, with good results.

However, one is best consulting with a doctor first to see if this is indeed the path you should take.

 

[Boogie711]

Um... have you considered diving without ankle weights? I think most divers agree that ankle weights are unnecessary provided you have good form and technique. If you're only using them to help you 'learn' the drysuit, this is good incentive to stop using them period.

To me, it sure as heck beats doping up on painkillers just to put lead around my ankles.

If you're attempting to figure out how to avoid that "floaty-feet" sensation, I would recommend using your BC for bouyancy and your drysuit to keep you dry. Less air in your drysuit means it won't migrate to your feet - thus negating the need to weight down your ankles in the first place.

Obviously, try it in a pool or shallow water environment to get the hang of things.

 

[dazedone]

Um... have you considered diving without ankle weights? I think most divers agree that ankle weights are unnecessary provided you have good form and technique. If you're only using them to help you 'learn' the drysuit, this is good incentive to stop using them period.

To me, it sure as heck beats doping up on painkillers just to put lead around my ankles.

If you're attempting to figure out how to avoid that "floaty-feet" sensation, I would recommend using your BC for bouyancy and your drysuit to keep you dry. Less air in your drysuit means it won't migrate to your feet - thus negating the need to weight down your ankles in the first place.

Obviously, try it in a pool or shallow water environment to get the hang of things.

I have learned the hard way to put as little air in the suit as possible. I could not imagine using the suit for buoyancy as the suit cannot dump air very fast at all. I have found the ankle weights help my trim a bit, but given the injury, I am going to ditch them and just put a couple more pounds on my weight belt, possibly get some gaiters. I just got some new fins that are more negative, so that should help, too.

I only have about 15 dives on the DS and I am just starting to feel somewhat comfortable diving in it. The owner of the LDS that sold me the suit said you basically have to learn how to dive all over again when you switch to a DS. He is right.

Thanks for your advice!