Concept2 Forum

My wife recently started rowing and is experiencing bad ankle pain after each row. I have never had this problem, so I have no idea how to help her. Does anyone know what might be causing this and/or ways to help rectify this problem? Thanks!

Of course, this could be a lot of things. However, my guess is that she is twisting her ankles and not pushing off with her feet aligned. The action of the feet on the footplate is similar to a deep knee bend where the footplate is the floor. If it doesn't look like this, she has a technique problem. If it does, then maybe she has an unrevealed stress fracture or something like that [really out of my realm].<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Neil<br />M/LW/38/US

I just received my Model D and I was worried about my Achillies... It has been sore for quite a while from a treadmill injury. I am happy to report that the rowing seems to be helping.<br /><br />I do notice that the back of my heels are getting raw from wearing only socks though.<br /><br />No ankle problems though... I really dont have the strongest ankles either. <br /><br />Sorry, dont have specific help for you... just thought I would toss out my experiances.<br /><br />RoCKo

<!--QuoteBegin-RoCKo+--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(RoCKo)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I do notice that the back of my heels are getting raw from wearing only socks though. </td></tr></table><br />Check out the Swing Sling on <a href='http://www.ps-sport.net' target='_blank'> Paul Smith's site</a>. Looks like a great idea. I haven't made a set yet, but I intend to. I hate having to put sneakers on to row.

Neil,<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestion. I will check our her form and see if we can figure anything out. Maybe she is pushing off wrong.<br /><br />Scott

<!--QuoteBegin-Ducatista+Apr 1 2005, 12:44 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Ducatista @ Apr 1 2005, 12:44 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Check out the Swing Sling on <a href='http://www.ps-sport.net' target='_blank'> Paul Smith's site</a>. Looks like a great idea. I haven't made a set yet, but I intend to. I hate having to put sneakers on to row. <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Is it good for your feet/ankles/knees to row without socks? I do this also, but I always feel like it might be best to wear shoes, but I have no reasons why this would be true.

<!--QuoteBegin-norman78+Mar 31 2005, 08:00 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(norman78 @ Mar 31 2005, 08:00 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My wife recently started rowing and is experiencing bad ankle pain after each row.  I have never had this problem, so I have no idea how to help her.  Does anyone know what might be causing this and/or ways to help rectify this problem?  Thanks! <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Ok, I'm not going to even tout that I know what I'm talking about, but here goes.... I am a novice rower, but very mindful of good technique in order to prevent any injuries. I have noticed that from my personal experience, my ankles and achilles feel better since I have switched from my true running shoes (they are very supportive due to pronation issues) - to a very flexible type of tennie. The flexible sole and flexible heel back allows me to monitor how I am beginning the drive with my feet and how my ankles are positioned. My running shoes just seemed too stiff for me to get a feel if I was overstretching my ankle position with the recovery, etc.... Please excuse any mistakes with terminology, etc... Thanks, hope this helps someone....

<!--QuoteBegin-sailorgirl+Apr 1 2005, 03:10 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(sailorgirl @ Apr 1 2005, 03:10 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-norman78+Mar 31 2005, 08:00 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(norman78 @ Mar 31 2005, 08:00 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My wife recently started rowing and is experiencing bad ankle pain after each row.  I have never had this problem, so I have no idea how to help her.  Does anyone know what might be causing this and/or ways to help rectify this problem?  Thanks! <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Ok, I'm not going to even tout that I know what I'm talking about, but here goes.... I am a novice rower, but very mindful of good technique in order to prevent any injuries. I have noticed that from my personal experience, my ankles and achilles feel better since I have switched from my true running shoes (they are very supportive due to pronation issues) - to a very flexible type of tennie. The flexible sole and flexible heel back allows me to monitor how I am beginning the drive with my feet and how my ankles are positioned. My running shoes just seemed too stiff for me to get a feel if I was overstretching my ankle position with the recovery, etc.... Please excuse any mistakes with terminology, etc... Thanks, hope this helps someone.... <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I think this is a good point. Maybe do some shoe research... the rowing shoes I've seen online seem more flexible that your normal tennis shoe. <br /><br />RoCKo

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Ok, I'm not going to even tout that I know what I'm talking about, but here goes.... I am a novice rower, but very mindful of good technique in order to prevent any injuries.  I have noticed that from my personal experience, my ankles and achilles feel better since I have switched from my true running shoes (they are very supportive due to pronation issues) - to a very flexible type of tennie.  The flexible sole and flexible heel back allows me to monitor how I am beginning the drive with my feet and how my ankles are positioned.  My running shoes just seemed too stiff for me to get a feel if I was overstretching my ankle position with the recovery, etc....  Please excuse any mistakes with terminology, etc... Thanks, hope this helps someone.... <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Thanks a lot for this advice. That very well might be what is happening because my wife does use a very stiff running shoe. I'll be sure to mention this to her to see if this helps. Thanks again for your help; I really appreciate it.<br />Scott

Had a mild problem like this, changed from my very stable and cusioned running shoe to a "fashion" sports-shoe with practically no sole cushioning- very very flexible. Pain went almost immediately (also had to adjust the height of the footstraps up a notch to take up the lack of heel padding). <br /><br />Good luck.

<!--QuoteBegin-norman78+Mar 31 2005, 11:00 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(norman78 @ Mar 31 2005, 11:00 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->My wife recently started rowing and is experiencing bad ankle pain after each row.  I have never had this problem, so I have no idea how to help her.  Does anyone know what might be causing this and/or ways to help rectify this problem?  Thanks! <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi<br /><br />Your wife could try doing 3/4 slides instead of full slides.<br /><br />By this I mean on the catch you move the seat forward until you are just about to lift the soles of your feet from the foot plate, but don't. The feet stay firmly planted on footrests.<br /><br />It could be that her ankles are complaining about an unfamiliar stress and extension. She should work up the time spent rowing gradually. Most importantly, remember to stretch before and after the workout.<br /><br />Good luck