Toe Cramps!

[LuvsItWet]

I'm a Master Diver, and while this may not be the correct forum to ask this, but I can't believe I'm not the only one who suffers from this malady. (And you gotta start somewhere)

I FREQUENTLY get toe cramps from my left foot while diving. I have a small deformity in my second smallest toe, it kinda bends to the right and downwards, and sometimes as I'm kicking upwards, that toe will spasm and try to work itself underneath my third toe with GREAT pain involved. I can always work it out myself by straighting my leg and pulling my fin towards my chest, but this is a real pain, since I have to slow down to take care of it, and I tend to fall behind of the group I'm with and start sinking while I'm doing this.

Does ANYONE have any ideas or solutions I can try? I REALLY LOVE diving!

Regards and Thanks!
Mark

 

[erparamedic]

I've had foot cramps and leg cramps while diving. One thing to pay attention to is your diet for a couple days before your dives. Try to eat more items that are high in potassium, and increase the salt intake just a bit. Many times, it is an electrolyte imbalance that causes the cramping.

By the way... nice to see another hoosier on here!!

 

[LuvsItWet]

Hey dude, where do you live? Indy area? I'm looking for a dive Bud, as my wife is afraid of big mud puddles!

 

[Ron Brandt]

I'm a Master Diver, and while this may not be the correct forum to ask this, but I can't believe I'm not the only one who suffers from this malady. (And you gotta start somewhere)

I FREQUENTLY get toe cramps from my left foot while diving. I have a small deformity in my second smallest toe, it kinda bends to the right and downwards, and sometimes as I'm kicking upwards, that toe will spasm and try to work itself underneath my third toe with GREAT pain involved. I can always work it out myself by straighting my leg and pulling my fin towards my chest, but this is a real pain, since I have to slow down to take care of it, and I tend to fall behind of the group I'm with and start sinking while I'm doing this.

Does ANYONE have any ideas or solutions I can try? I REALLY LOVE diving!

Regards and Thanks!
Mark

I get them while I sleep. I also get them while wearing a new pair of socks.
Only full fit fins cramp my feet while diving, but usually after I've been in the water 2 hours or so.

Ron
Ron

 

[TheRedHead]

I sometimes get them in Jetfins. I've never gotten them with a fin that has an open toe pocket like the Biofin. I used to dive exclusively with the Biofin, but you can't really frog kick or backwards kick in them. If that is not important to you, you might try the Biofin for toe cramps.

 

[serambin]

I've had foot cramps and leg cramps while diving. One thing to pay attention to is your diet for a couple days before your dives. Try to eat more items that are high in potassium, and increase the salt intake just a bit. Many times, it is an electrolyte imbalance that causes the cramping.

By the way... nice to see another hoosier on here!!

As I have posted before, the best source for extra potassium is Morton salt subsitute. About 600 mg per 1/4 teaspoon which is better than eating a stalk of bananas.

Have you tried a larger fin size? Any compression on the side of the foot will lead to cramping and since it seems like you only have problems on one foot, it sounds like a possible fit problem.

Stan

 

[SparticleBrane]

I guess we could always chop it off....

 

[erparamedic]

Hey dude, where do you live? Indy area? I'm looking for a dive Bud, as my wife is afraid of big mud puddles!

Hey, dude.... I'm actually a dudette! LOL My hubby and I are both divers, and we live on the SW side of Indy. I'll send you a PM in a few minutes.

 

[ScubaCatgirl]

I have a tendancy towards foot cramps as well. Taking extra calcuim & eating lots of banana's helps. Also drink lots & lots of water. I hadn't thought of the salt thing though. Good to know, I'll try that as well