Frog Kicks and Dodgey Hips

[Bubblesong]

Since I swim occasionally to keep in shape for SCUBA, but I have arthritis in right hip, I have found that the regular Frog kick is painful. When trying to pull legs back together, this pulls on already hurting inside hip area, ( right side of where inner leg meets crotch area). This weekend, I am going to try modified frog kick which I THINK, means swimming with legs bent upwards at knees in a right angle, but this requires being completely submerged rather than swimming on surface of water, so I can only get a few kicks in at depth before coming back up for air.
If anyone has any advice about hip arthritis and finning, I really appreciate your input.

 

[RyanT]

Hey Francesea, have you tried a sculling kick? The idea is the you keep your fins turned in at maybe 30-45 degrees or so (unlike turning them outwards nearly vertical for the frog kick) and sweep your legs inwards. You don't get as much propulsion as a frog kick, but in dives where there is little current and you're not in a hurry, you can move with minimal effort.

 

[Bubblesong]

I am going to try that in hotel pool if I can, (road trip for kids hockey tournament, so I have no idea if hotel pool will be suitable)
Thank you!

 

[Altamira]

You might consider making an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon that specializes in hips and knees and get a professional opinion. If the surgeon is not a diver, show him/her the various fining styles and see what response you get as to which finning style is going to put the least amount of strain on your hips and knees. Final recommendation: If you are going to need a hip replacement, do it sooner rather than later. It is a hard lesson to learn that you waited way too long, and have subsequently damaged other joints and your back. Been there.

 

[Bubblesong]

I have met a great surgeon, and I am not scared of surgery. I was hoping that more progress could be made in re-surfacing hip joints, so I didn't have to get the metal piece that sets off airport security when flying. i keep researching this regularly to see what is the latest.

 

[_Ralph]

Frog kick - hips don't move and knee's move to 90 deg

Modified Frog Kick - knee's don't move (kept at 90 deg) and it's all in the ankles


_R

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Is your flutter kick OK? Or are the hips not liking that either. Seems like less joint stress, but probably not for everyone.

 

[Bubblesong]

My flutter kick is very strong, and with my stiff, old fashioned fins I can motor through the water. But the frog kick is for the easygoing, no silting style diving.

 

[Altamira]

Frog kick - hips don't move and knee's move to 90 deg

Modified Frog Kick - knee's don't move (kept at 90 deg) and it's all in the ankles


_R

Ralph,
From my experience with a trashed hip and knee joints, I do not think you are correct about what joints moves or don't with either the frog kick or modified frog kick. You might not be aware of the movement if you have healthy joints. To demonstrate my point, try this. Press your thumbs against your hip joints while you lay on your stomach in your favorite frog kick position. Then do the kick. You will feel a torquing movement on the hip joint. Do the same with your knee joints when you think you are just moving your ankles. If you have healthy joints, that torque may not be noticeable or hurt, but throw in moderate to severe arthritis, and you might have a completely different experience. I know that I did. At one point, any torque on my hip or knee would sure get my attention. That old kid's song "...the ankle bone connected to the shin bone, etc., etc.," is truth wrapped in verse and melody.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Yes, I see Francesea. Particularly important for marine science. Good to know that your mobility is strong otherwise.