I had surgery on 4/6 for a broken fibula and torn deltiod ligament. I am non weight bearing for 6 weeks (5/18). Headed to Cozumel 5/23 and the doctor has told me from the beginning I should be able to scuba. I'm going to ask him about braces today that I can wear during scuba and in and out of the pool at the resort, but I am not sure he is going to have alot of experience with it. Anyone have a similiar experience, diving and pool lounging with an unstable ankle. A medical brace company recommended the Aircast A60 to me. I am not sure if I will be able to get it inside my full foot fin, so I may also be looking at buying some open foot fins and booties.
On the bright side, the diving conditions should be ripe. I am headed to aura cozumel and I hear their onsite dive shop does mostly nearby 1 tank dives, then you do any short intervals back at the resort. I do need to contact them and ask about donning gear in the water so I am not putting extra pressure on my ankle.
richkeller
May 3rd, 2012, 04:47 PM
I cannot help you with the brace but I would suggest split fins as they will put less stress on your leg. I have bad knees and they have been a big help. Donning equipment in the water should not be a problem but climbing up the ladder at the end could be a problem.
g1138
May 3rd, 2012, 07:21 PM
If you can get your hands on some Force fins that would be even better. Some models of split fins can still put strain on your calf.
If going with splits I think you may want to look for a pair that are very flexible so they don't give back resistance when your kicking.
For your dive op, you should definitely give them at least a days notice about your condition and any special accommodations you might need.
nelsonrl
May 3rd, 2012, 08:56 PM
My wife crushed her ankle, when she fell from a ladder. She landed standing up. Doc told us afterwards he is surprised she can even walk with it. After trying several fins, the Apollo split fins are just the ticket. You should consider open fin with a spring strap. As for getting out of the water, she takes her equipment off in the water and lets her dive buddy (that would be me) get on the boat and lift it out of the water while she is hanging onto the ladder. Works well.
asha
May 3rd, 2012, 09:01 PM
My husband broke his fibula and shore dove in Curacao a couple months later with minimal problems. I did drag his gear into the water so he could put it on there.
I wouldn't bother with split fins. He stated that the resistance in the act of finning (with solid, heavy jet fins) actually made his stiff post-op ankle feel much better.
Randy43068
May 3rd, 2012, 09:28 PM
Bigg, I have a very similar injury. I broke the my fib and have a bunch of screws and a plate holding it together.
I got my foot stuck in some rocks making entry with doubles on, fell over and the fib broke in more than one place. OUCH.
Do the PT, don't shortcut it. Push yourself. Follow docs orders by keeping it elevated and do not put weight on it until he says to do so.
Stretch exercises work well for me. I use full Jet fins and now have no trouble underwater whatsoever. I do limp now and again but it's not been an issue for diving, with the only exception is that I dive double 130s and extra weight makes that leg feel weaker. It's a very heavy load. I'll notice some soreness in the broken leg the next day. I can also tell that the broken leg isn't as strong as it once was. My fault for not doing the PT as instructed. But there isn't much affect on diving, and I dive COLD water.
bryce1993
May 3rd, 2012, 10:24 PM
Might I also suggest trying different fin kicks to see what's best - either flutter, frog or normal, full blade style kicks.
Randy43068
May 3rd, 2012, 10:28 PM
You should be doing all of them.
Primarily I do the frog, but depending on the situation I will employ all kicks.
If the doc did his job correctly, and he does the PT fin kicks should not be an issue whatsoever. None whatsoever when he's healed.
Might I also suggest trying different fin kicks to see what's best - either flutter, frog or normal, full blade style kicks.
MMM
May 3rd, 2012, 10:49 PM
I broke my ankle in mid November 2011 and have pins and a plate in it. I was walking on crutches within about a week of the surgery and had full weight on it by about Christmas or New Years. I tried diving a few times in January but it hurt and I had a hard time getting my bootie onto my foot which was still very stiff, swollen and tender. I never thought of how much you use your ankles during diving for stabilization, turning etc. By mid February, I was better and by mid-March diving was dandy. So 3-4 months. I'm now six months post surgery and it is still somewhat swollen (surgeon said it could take as much as a year to return to normal) but can now run up and down stairs. I find if I am on my feet for several hours it gets sore. Broken ankles are worse than broken arms. I have done both...was diagnosed with osteoporosis recently.
Randy43068
May 3rd, 2012, 11:36 PM
I forgot to mention, it took me at least a year, maybe more before it started to feel normal. I was out of the water for a year, too.
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Randy43068
May 3rd, 2012, 11:38 PM
Not sure mine will ever be the same, but it has little effect on my diving. I did it in 2008
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CuracaoJ
May 4th, 2012, 07:59 AM
I have had 7 ankle surgeries during my dive career. Often I've used a brace while diving. It was a lace up with different stiffness inserts that went along the inside, and relatively thin. I was able to wear it under my booties and get into open heel fins. Also, if you are unable to find a workable brace nothing really beats a good tape job to keep things locked in place. I find frog kicking, for me, is by far the least ankle-straining. I suspect you'll find a kicking style that should be able to reduce the tenderness you are likely to feel post dive.
Good luck!
scubamask
May 4th, 2012, 08:31 AM
I had surgery on 4/6 for a broken fibula and torn deltiod ligament. I am non weight bearing for 6 weeks (5/18). Headed to Cozumel 5/23 and the doctor has told me from the beginning I should be able to scuba. I'm going to ask him about braces today that I can wear during scuba and in and out of the pool at the resort, but I am not sure he is going to have alot of experience with it. Anyone have a similiar experience, diving and pool lounging with an unstable ankle. A medical brace company recommended the Aircast A60 to me. I am not sure if I will be able to get it inside my full foot fin, so I may also be looking at buying some open foot fins and booties.
On the bright side, the diving conditions should be ripe. I am headed to aura cozumel and I hear their onsite dive shop does mostly nearby 1 tank dives, then you do any short intervals back at the resort. I do need to contact them and ask about donning gear in the water so I am not putting extra pressure on my ankle.
You need to talk to your ortho doctor about this. Depending upon the hardware (syndesmotic screw? plate? etc) and degree of healing, your doctor may prescribe a brace or none. The A60 provides minimal support; you may need the Air-Sport or even the Air-Stirrup, or even a Cam-walker. Talk to your doctor.
Generally, swimming and diving will actually provide good rehab. The up-down movement is excellent for ankle PT; and there is only mild "in - out" (inversion/eversion) stress. Good for increasing range of motion and strengthening. My actual only real concern would be a Giant Stride entry applying somewhat uncontrolled stress on the ankle. I'd suggest having crew assist you to the entry point (to limit weight directly on the ankle) and do back roll entry. Final caveots: (1) if it hurts, don't do it; (2) talk to your doctor.
Mr.Bigg
May 4th, 2012, 09:51 AM
Appreciate all the replies, managed to get a prescription for the Active Ankle Power Lacer. I got it home and sure enough, I can just get it on under my full foot fin, which is a split fin, so hopefully I am in good shape. Only problem is the doctor doesn't want me walking in anything but the boot, so I am going to have to lug that thing all over the resort. Luckily the other brace seems compact enough I won't have to switch to enter the water, I can just keep it on under my boot.
Next step, contact the dive shop. Out of curiosity, you guys that have had ankle surgery, how long after surgery did you begin PT?
---------- Post added May 4th, 2012 at 08:59 AM ----------
You need to talk to your ortho doctor about this. Depending upon the hardware (syndesmotic screw? plate? etc) and degree of healing, your doctor may prescribe a brace or none. The A60 provides minimal support; you may need the Air-Sport or even the Air-Stirrup, or even a Cam-walker. Talk to your doctor.
Generally, swimming and diving will actually provide good rehab. The up-down movement is excellent for ankle PT; and there is only mild "in - out" (inversion/eversion) stress. Good for increasing range of motion and strengthening. My actual only real concern would be a Giant Stride entry applying somewhat uncontrolled stress on the ankle. I'd suggest having crew assist you to the entry point (to limit weight directly on the ankle) and do back roll entry. Final caveots: (1) if it hurts, don't do it; (2) talk to your doctor.
2 Sydes-whatever screws, no plate. I plan to ask to do back rolls or strides without my gear don in the water. He had orginally prescribed an air-stirrup for water activities, but the prosthetics department had me try out a few options and then they talked the doc into a lace up (I just don't get to walk in it)
Max Speed
May 4th, 2012, 08:20 PM
Your timeline is agressive. Unless maybe you're 12 and heal fast. No weight on leg and then diving a week later? Let me guess... you're a rugby player.
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kwsjimmy
May 5th, 2012, 12:17 AM
don joy braces are good, i use one for diving
trtldvr
May 5th, 2012, 01:07 AM
First of all keep in mind all breaks are different and everones pain is different. I was very fortunate when I broke my anle several years ago. I broke it on a Thursday morning and was in the water with my DM students on Saturday morning ( it was good training for them).
Regardless of which fin you settle on, I would suggest getting into a pool and doing some laps before you are out in the open water. The good news is Cozumel is practically all drift diving.
Good luck and safe dives
Trtldvr
diversteve
May 5th, 2012, 06:24 AM
I plan to ask to do back rolls or strides without my gear don in the water.
The good news is Cozumel is practically all drift diving.
The bad news is it may not be possible to don your gear while drifting away from the boat - esp. when most of the divers will be submerging asap to stay together. You might want to ask about getting a private DM to accompany you the first couple of times if that's your plan.
mala
May 5th, 2012, 06:49 AM
thought about renting a scooter?
Mr.Bigg
May 5th, 2012, 10:15 AM
The bad news is it may not be possible to don your gear while drifting away from the boat - esp. when most of the divers will be submerging asap to stay together. You might want to ask about getting a private DM to accompany you the first couple of times if that's your plan.
