Torn Muscle/Tendon and Diving

[KoralKat]

Hi all,

About five weeks ago, I had a mean bicycle crash that had me nailing a guard rail and flying over it into the street. Went to the doc, and he said that I had probably torn a musle/tendon in my right outside thigh just above my knee. Also aquired massive bruising on both sides of my right leg, as well as on the outside of my left leg. No x-rays or anything else were done - just visual.

The first two weeks I rested it, elevated, ice, the works. Ate a lot of pineapple which definitely got rid of the brusing faster than I usually do (read about it in a natural healing book). For the last three weeks, I've been doing self-rehab -- excercising, walking, stationary bike riding, stair-stepper, etc., to try to get rid of the pain & get it back in shape. The pain is gone now, but the dent in my outer right thigh is still there.

My question is, is my leg safe for diving? My husband and I are diving the North Carolina wrecks starting a week from tomorrow, and I want to make sure it will be ok.

Thanks in advance for any input,
Kat

koralkat@hotmail.com

 

[munkispank]

Hi there,

If there is no pain at all, then you should be OK if you take it easy. If there is even slight discomfort, then you might want to skip it.
I ripped a tendon back in September whilst jogging, and did the same home rehab excercises. I went diving about 7 weeks after and was experiencing no pain, just a little discomfort. On the dives I was OK until I hit current. By the end of the second dive on day two I had to be buddy pulled back to the boat as the start of the dive against current was too much. It was not a major problem, but I was glad my buddy was so close and understood my underwater signals towards my foot.

If you are excercising on it fine, then I would go, but take it easy. Of course, the cautious sensible thing is to wait.

Jacqueline

 

[KoralKat]

Thanks for the quick post!

Will be extra careful on the dives, and still have one more week of rehab - am doing it diligently, to try to get the strength up to par. Hope this works!

Is the current really bad in NC? We've dove heavy current in Hawaii before with no trouble, but that was without prior injury.

I know the cautious thing would be to wait, but... this trip has been booked for four months, and we haven't been in the water for almost a year (except for a pool)-- so am really driven to go.

We will stay heavily on the cautious side, though... if it gets too tough, will call off the dive.

Thanks,
Kat

 

[munkispank]

Hi Kat,

I don't know what the current is like in NC, I have yet to dive there. I would check with the dive operator so you can gauge conditions.
It is always frustrating when you get problems before a trip. I would probably dot he same as you and go anyway-I am sure doctors would go crazy at such "reckless" behavior. Just make sure your buddy stays close in case you need that tow.
I was finning with one leg for about half the dives and it was really only a problem towards the end.

Hope you have a great trip!!

Jacqueline