PTTD and rowing?

General discussions about getting and staying fit that don't relate directly to your indoor rower
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lhenecke
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PTTD and rowing?

Post by lhenecke » February 2nd, 2009, 12:05 am

Recently diagnosed with PTTD (Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction) :( . Apparently caused by acute adult flatfoot (right foot only). Orthopedic surgeon cleared me to resume rowing but not sure how familiar he is with the mechanics of the rowing stroke. Anyone out there have any experience with this condition? Thank you in advance.
Leif

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grams
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Post by grams » February 2nd, 2009, 12:45 pm

Bingo! I have had both posterial tibial tendons replaced over the years. The right one (soccer injury) was done 24 years ago. A simple replacement-no toe fusing etc. I gave it a lot of unnoficial exercise right away, as I got married 5 weeks later. Its been great.

Left ankle started to fail 10 years ago, a result of hiking, climbing, and an undiagnosed ruptured acl. I had the full meal deal surgery in 2000. Toe fusion, arch fusion and pins, tendon replacement, achilles(?) tendon 'lengthening'. I started rowing a couple of years later.

Recovery was much longer with the 2nd surgery and I still don't have full sensation in my 4 fused toes. I continued to have ankle weakness untill I had my acl replaced (25 years after the injury no less). That stabilized my leg and took strain off the ankle. I used a lace-up ankle brace for a while after surgery.

Re rowing: Its good, because you are applying force with both legs at the same time. I always wear good athletic shoes with arch supports. I use a low drg factor (100) and stroke rate (20-21) and pay attention to what hurts and how. No jerking or sudden thrusts with my legs, just good firm push and pull.

The lingering problem is that I don't have equal feedback from both feet due to the nerve damage in my toes, so I tend to push too hard with that leg.

Take it easy and enjoy the rower. It is a great low impact form of training.

grams
(great) grams 71 yo 5'3"
5 kids, 6 grandkids, 1 great-granddaughter
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