Swimming with an ankle sprain

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

srcoyote — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:16:49 GMT

I know this one. I sprained my ankle two weeks before my first Big Shoulders years ago. I'm a two-beat kicker so while I used a lot of pool buoy for that two weeks, I didn't always use one. The biggest challenge in training was not pushing off of the wall on that ankle in flip turns. Then came race day. One of my first open water swims, I wasn't smart enough to start on one end, and had quite a bit of pain in the opening scrum as arms raked across that ankle. Once I was in clear water, though, it wasn't a problem. Hope all went well Saturday. It was a great day for a swim, and I had a blast.

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

Nancy H. — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:01:57 GMT

I sprained my wrist four weeks ago when a car hit me as I was crossing a street. The driver came out of nowhere, and my right hand shot out instinctively. Her car bumped into my hand, and when she saw I was standing up/ not bleeding or doubled over, she took off (total hit & run). I went to the hospital, where they told me I had a fractured bone (and that I'd be in a cast for 6 weeks). I went to my orthopedic doctor the next day; he looked over my hand and the x-rays, and he said it was sprained, not broken. I was in a splint for two weeks, at which point it was x-rayed again, and still no sign of fracture. (Big sigh of relief!) By this time, my pool had closed for cleaning, so there was another enforced two weeks out of the water. Last night was my first night back (sheer bliss!). I took it easy, 1800 yards, alternating strokes and kicking--no pulling. Today my hand is a bit stiff/ sore, but otherwise fine. During my layoff, I did a lot of drylands--long walks when the weather permitted; gym sessions focusing on lower body and core. I'm just beginning to add in some upper-body work (with like 2-lb. hand weights)--wearing a splint to keep my wrist supported. I'm still wearing the splint at night, and icing the wrist/ taking Advil or Tylenol as needed. I aim to gradually build up my yardage over the next month. Injuries that keep you from swimming just flat-out stink. But it's so important to listen to your doctors and take their advice. And to listen to your body--if something really hurts, stop. In hindsight, I'm glad the pool cleaning kept me out of the water for two additional weeks, which gave the injury a chance to heal. Mostly I'm just glad I wasn't hurt any worse than I was.

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

Former Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 06:31:19 GMT

better stop for a while and turn to your coach when get a ankle sprain

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

orca1946 — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 11:17:32 GMT

Have you gone to the doc yet?

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

Former Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 10:55:25 GMT

Another vote to talk to your doctor. I am now 4 years beyond my ankle sprain. I waited about 4 months to go see my doctor and I probably ruined it as a result. Since that time I have had 2 surgeries, 4 injections, physical therapy and 16 weeks in a boot. Don't wait, go see the doc now! How long did it take you to get back into swimming following surgery? I had surgery 7 months ago. I tried swimming with docs permission after 4 months but it was still quite painful. Any advice for getting back into it?

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

ForceDJ — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 04:18:14 GMT

As a triathlete I find this interesting in that if/when I get a leg/ foot injury that keeps me from running...I usually fill that workout time with additional swimming. Dan

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

Allen Stark — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 10:51:11 GMT

Ok I am suffering from an injured foot that will not heal. My doctor said swimming would be great. I have not swam since I was young. I want to possibly join the masters league but am scared that I will be horrible or in the way. Can anyone join? or do you need to be a great swimmer? Anyone can join.Go to a workout and talk to the coach.

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

orca1946 — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:41:40 GMT

See the Doc. & ask if you can one leg kick with arms normal . If you can do this & KEEP from kicking then give it a try. You are iceing the ankle ----yes?

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

aztimm — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:42:05 GMT

Another vote to visit a doctor. I've sprained both ankles, and both times I tried to swim way too soon (you'd think I would have learned). "I'll just use a pull buoy," I thought... Well that just doesn't quite work. Most doctors will say that walking in a pool is good recovery.

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

swimshark — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:45:58 GMT

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

Former Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 05:59:48 GMT

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

Former Member — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:51:31 GMT

I would agree with talking to your doctor, you don't want to cause further damage; however, when they thought I had torn my meniscus my workouts turned into nothing but pulling with a buoy, so that's also another way to go if it hurts to kick.

RE: Swimming with an ankle sprain

Rob Copeland — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:05:47 GMT

Any advice? Thanks!Talk to your doctor.