Ankle Injury

[Bill D.]

I have a severe high ankle sprain. I haven't been allowed to put any weight on it for the last two weeks, soft cast on it. Today I was put in a plastic walking cast/boot and it is removable. I have a dive scheduled in 8 days to clean a boat hull and to put out a artificial reef (screw in some sand anchors to keep everything in place). Neither dive requires much of a swim and I'll be putting my gear on/off in the water so weight on the ankle isn't a problem. Only problem is side to side support of my ankle while diving. Does anyone have any good ideas for making a brace I can dive with? BTW- -
Doc's words were, "I'm not going to tell you not to dive, because knowing you you'll do it anyway." Good to find a Doc who understands.....
Thanks...

(didn't want to use the FS forum, some dork might want to have me put in jail)

[dothanfrogman]

Any neoprene ankle wrap should do the trick. Or talk to your Doc about a rigid ankle support.
Just my .02.

[f94gator]

I agree. Don't know how bad it is, but if there's any way you can warm your leg up or stretch it out or something beforehand, you'll probably be much better off. With everything cooling off, it might be easier to aggravate it.

[dive4food]

I had to dive with a gel cast for a while because of an ankel sprain. Doc stuck me in one of those and I didn't have much of a problem except for getting tossed around on the deck in 4 footers. The gel cast is a rigid plastic brace that has gel pockets on either side of the joint and velcro straps so you can really cinch it down. It will keep the side to side movement to nothing, but does have a pivot point so you can move your toes up and down. Worked great for me.

[Bill D.]

Thanks, I'll check into the ideas and see what I think will work best.