injuries affecting sailing
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11423
Printed Date: 13 Jul 25 at 8:22pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: injuries affecting sailing
Posted By: lionel rigby
Subject: injuries affecting sailing
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 9:28am
|
Hi everyone; unfortunately I am a bit of a lurker, I read most of the forum everyday but contribute very little, shame on me, but I will ask a bit of advice.
Unfortunately I snapped an Achilles tendon last October whilst on holiday, (nothing to do with sailing). I sail on the sea so there was no sailing for me anyway over the winter. I think I am almost over my injury with only a slight limp when I walk. This week I am about to start my 40th dinghy sailing season and I am a bit concerned about any possible reaction. Has anyone out there suffered a similar injury and did it affect you? ------------- Golden Oldie |
Replies:
Posted By: laser193713
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 9:40am
Is this not the sort of question you should be asking a doctor, not a load of people you don't know on the internet!? 
|
Posted By: lionel rigby
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 9:50am
|
Oh yes, the doctor is fine about it but I was wondering how anyone else who had a similar injury was affected. ------------- Golden Oldie |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 9:56am
|
I did a two thirds rupture, eventually it was fine, stretching is essential. Go see a good sports physio first, they tend to be better informed than your typical GP.
------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 9:57am
|
I screwed my knee up as kid sailing, generally speaking I can sail, windsurf, snowboard, bike ride without much grief.... however if I over exert then it can flare-up again and takes a good while to recover. (The pysio also said I was in high risk category for all those nasty knee injuries, which the resultant diagnosis could be no more sailing/snowboarding etc.) Bottom line for any former injuries- take it easy, build it up gently... enjoy what you do and don't push it, because re-injury is often worse than the initial injury. For me that probably means no permanent hikers (kites) and no very long-day events again. Neither being much of issue given the time available to go sailing anyway.
------------- |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 10:07am
|
My knee is being done in a few weeks time, hence the purchase of perching dinghies.
------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: transient
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 12:31pm
........no wonder so many people lurk 
|
Posted By: transient
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 12:38pm
|
Injuries on the beach or boat park are more common than on the boat IMO, fortunately the beach injuries can be avoided to some degree.
Ask others for help dragging the boat around and with launch and recovery.....If you explain your situation you might even get someone like me who'll do most of the work for you. I injured my back a couple of years ago helping to launch the safety boat when there wasn't enough people on the job.....never again. If there are not enough folk helping on that particular job then I'll not lift a finger unless someone is in danger.......I'll ask, ask, ask. I did tear a ligament in my calf a couple of years ago playing hide and seek with my grandkids. Not as bad as your injury granted. When I could walk again it hurt like hell but sailing didn't seem to aggravate it......dragging the boat about did though. |
Posted By: Thunder Road
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 12:42pm
|
Sports physio and endless stretching seems to be the answer, for mine, I had to cancel my plans to do a major event this week, heart breaking but I really want a good long summer, so have to be pragmatic. ------------- Finn GBR16 Thunder Road. |
Posted By: AndrewM
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 12:59pm
|
You don't say what sort of boat you are sailing. Most sailing is pretty low risk for your achilles as the impact loads are low and hiking is not stressing it at all. The only real exception is trapezing and even with this there is less stress on the achilles than running. However the point above is well made that your major risk in fact will be launching and particularly recovery and that's where I would take care. The meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal a few years ago which I have continued to quote to my patients ever since was categorical about stretching before exercise being actively harmful and increasing the risk of injury. The advice is a warm-up and if anything needs stretching to do it when muscles are fully warm and at working length. HTH |
Posted By: fab100
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 1:26pm
|
Well if you must damage yourself Lionel, October is far better timing than March. From the dangerous position of no medical knowledge whatsoever, I'd suggest
Get well soon And if all else fails, you could always nip around the corner and get a ride in a Troy Clive ------------- http://clubsailor.co.uk/wp/club-sailor-from-back-to-front/" rel="nofollow - Great book for Club Sailors here |
Posted By: lionel rigby
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 2:24pm
|
Ha ha Clive. Even at 67, I'm still far too young for a Troy but points 3,4 & 5 are all very valid, yes I like them. In fact all those suggestions seem fine to me. I am hoping to go out this Wednesday for my first sail. The wind looks like a nice 9-10 knot westerly, so a nice flat sea and some longish reaches sound just fine. For anyone else interested, my boat in question is a Tasar, so quite light, quite fast, very comfortable and stable. In fact a Tasar has all the ingredients necessary for a life at Porthpean ------------- Golden Oldie |
Posted By: iitick
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 2:33pm
| The great thing is that you feel like sailing. I had a week in hospital about a month ago and came out fixed but with gout (from blood thinning drugs?), a painful arm from stent insertion and three different colds in succession. I have sorted my boat ready to go but some how I just don't feel like it until the weather warms up a bit. |
Posted By: Thunder Road
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 2:59pm
|
Bird breeding season has never fitted in so well, I don't think I would have been as long suffering and calm if everybody else was out sailing and I was watching, amazing the way my recovery and the 1st. May coincides!!!???? Still back to the stretching. ------------- Finn GBR16 Thunder Road. |
Posted By: laser193713
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 4:33pm
That wasn't intended to sound like a cheap answer! People react to recovery in very different ways. I just don't think this is the kind of question I would ask any of you, no offense. Good to share stories though as is being done, however let the professionals get you back on the water safely, not us idiots
|
Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 4:40pm
given the reputation of the NHS in some parts, think I'll stick with the idiots thanks.  ------------- |
Posted By: laser193713
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 4:47pm
| You know what I meant! A good private sports physio is hard to beat! |
Posted By: Father Jack
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 6:00pm
Ahem! 'That crew' of his also lurks Clive!  I shall warn everyone else to be on the lookout for exaggerated limping too! |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 7:17pm
|
porthpean really could do with a "boat escalator" ------------- -_ Al |
Posted By: fab100
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 8:09pm
I was relying on it, Ken! ------------- http://clubsailor.co.uk/wp/club-sailor-from-back-to-front/" rel="nofollow - Great book for Club Sailors here |
Posted By: lionel rigby
Date Posted: 07 Apr 14 at 8:23pm
|
The great thing is that you feel like sailing. I had a week in hospital about a month ago and came out fixed but with gout (from blood thinning drugs?), a painful arm from stent insertion and three different colds in succession. I have sorted my boat ready to go but some how I just don't feel like it until the weather warms up a bit.
Ouch Mr i Tickle, that sounds painful. In fact I have had some of that myself stent wise, 4 years ago, with no side affects; keep taking the medicine and all will be fine. I was back sailing 4 weeks after a stent. We must keep us old timers going as many of the youth are falling by the wayside. I quite agree, sailing shouldn't be too painful for the Achilles and I will make sure that my bad leg is not taking any strain if at all possible. The thought of a bacon butty after Wednesday sailing is a good incentive. Thanks for all the advice. ------------- Golden Oldie |
Posted By: timeintheboat
Date Posted: 08 Apr 14 at 7:12am
I could not agree more. Many years ago my back got so bad I was walking bent over with a stick. Some injections in the spine and some robust treatment from a superb Aussie physio got me right. "Do you do any running?" he said, "Not any more you don't" - and I haven't since. No only did he get me right but much more important was to not be afraid to push myself (weights fine, rowing machine - careful with that posture) but be aware of any warning signs and take action (stretching etc.) when the signs re-occur. Nearly 20+ years of avoiding back-pain. ------------- Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else |
Posted By: Sheetpuller
Date Posted: 08 Apr 14 at 6:35pm
|
I also ruptured my achilles tendon last year when a bus turned right whilst the driver was looking left and drove straight into my car, writing it off. I saw him coming and stood on the brakes, and I think the hydraulics in the brake system provided some cushioning effect for my right foot; but my left foot was either on the solid footrest to the left of the clutch pedal or had floored the clutch itself, I'm not sure which. But with no cushioning either way, it was my left Achilles tendon that went with the impact.
Unfortunately, in order to repair the Achilles tendon the surgeons had to use the tendon that pulls my big toe down; now, when I scrunch my toes up, four of them curl and the big one just sits there sticking straight out in front. I can walk pretty well with almost no limp now, but I haven't got back into my boat yet. I'm seriously worried about my ability to maintain my balance during tacks and gybes, and most of all, how I'm going to stand in the boat with my feet close together with the tiller between my legs as I hoist the spinnaker. Possibly I'll be OK in flat water, but in a seaway I think it's going to be a real struggle. ------------- I'm not arguing. I'm explaining why I'm right. Merlin Rocket 3545 - 'Smooth Operator' Sprint 15 1342 - 'Still Crazy' |
Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 08 Apr 14 at 6:47pm
| Sp. There's always another way, re-rig the boat so that you don't have to stand to hoist. Maybe you have spiro poles already, rig it so you launch the pole (a much shorter length to move) and the crew hoists & drops. I've seen it done in a Five Oh. |
Posted By: lionel rigby
Date Posted: 08 Apr 14 at 7:42pm
|
Hi Sheetpuller, I think that I may have been luckier than you as I got away without surgery, but it was touch and go as the consultant reckoned there was a 10mm gap. Anyway 10 weeks in plaster and adjustable boot did the trick, so with great trepidation I will try it, sailing wise tomorrow evening. I don't think the hiking will be a problem, we only have about 5 knots forecast, only the boat recovery, which I will try and not twist my leg. If things are ok then I am sure that it won't be too long before my confidence will return. I will post how it goes. ------------- Golden Oldie |
Posted By: Sheetpuller
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 11:08am
DD, thank you for that; I have to confess that in worrying about the problem during the long recovery process (14 months and counting...) I had completely overlooked such an obvious and simple solution. I've been told I tend to overthink things, and maybe this is evidence of that. Whether there will actually be a physical problem is something that I don't actually know, and probably won't until I try it. The current, very real problem is the psychological one of confidence in my own ability to maintain my balance in all sorts of situations where previously I wouldn't have given it another thought. But I'm working on that. ------------- I'm not arguing. I'm explaining why I'm right. Merlin Rocket 3545 - 'Smooth Operator' Sprint 15 1342 - 'Still Crazy' |
Posted By: AndrewM
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 11:41am
| Just to give a Merlin-centred answer around spinny hoists and drops, I do on occasions hoist the spinny, that's on flat water and light to moderate winds, otherwise it's the crew's job - big armful of kite out of chute, pole on, hoist, my job is to keep the boat as flat & stable as possible and not hit anything! |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 11:47am
|
Rupertson just gone off to hospital to have the back of his knee x-rayed where he hurt it sailing on Saturday. I imagine he will be unable to sail for a little while.
------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Blue One
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 11:53am
Hope he's ok Rupert. At least he's young and should heal quickly, unlike most of us on this forum.
|
Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 1:38pm
|
I was diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis the season before last, which hung about for ages. Actually it was a mis-diagnosis which turned out to be a bursa, but the activities to avoid seemed to be the same either way. I'd second the comment above that onshore activities are more likely to do you harm than on the water ones. Pulling the boat up the beach is a big risk area, or even worse, pushing the club RIB up the slip (snapped Achilles are said to be common among garage mechanics who want to push cars around in a hurry). Easily avoided by seeking help. In the boat, take your time when moving and try to avoid overstretching the tendon. Worth losing the odd place for till you feel 100%. ------------- http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class |
Posted By: kneewrecker
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 2:16pm
+1
|
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 2:54pm
|
Ta for the concern. Looks like my tight hamstrings are passed on another generation (my father passed them to me!), and he has torn something when he over stretched them. He is now on a diet of stretching for ever more... ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Time Lord
Date Posted: 09 Apr 14 at 3:20pm
Sheetpuller Rather than rerigging your spinnaker system, get the crew to do the hoist. I do this when the spinnaker leg is quite tight and it is prudent for the helm to keep some weight on the side. The crew first pulls the corner of the spinnaker sheet and guy back across foredeck to level with the lowers, pops the pole on, finishes the hoisting the spinnie, pulls the snodger on and away you go. With practice, this is only fractionally slower than helm hoisting but the key is pulling out the corner of the spinnaker far enough for the crew to have enough slack in the system to get the pole on. Practice on land (on a light wind day) so that crew gets comfortable with it. ------------- Merlin Rocket 3609 |
Posted By: lionel rigby
Date Posted: 10 Apr 14 at 9:08am
|
Well I managed my first sail for over 6 months ok with no complications. The wind was a light offshore north westerly, the sea was as flat as many reservoirs. In fact it was as ideal as it can be for a first sail. The launching and recovery were straight forward as was the pulling the boat up the beach. So far so good; the downside has to be the lack of cushioning we take for granted in our heels when we either land after a jump or stand on something quite hard, and in thin soled dinghy boots you are quite susceptible when you do stand on the odd hard stone around. Very fortunately we did get some help when pulling the boat up the slipway and hill after sailing. The bacon butties in the Clubhouse afterwards all helped the back to sailing feeling. It’s almost like I’ve never been away. Good luck to anyone else preparing for a return to sailing after injury. I’m sure a lot of it is in the mind, but after a lifetime of dinghy sailing I’m not ready to quit yet. Thanks for all the tips. Now on the subject of “handicaps” which is for ever a hot topic here; I have spent most of my sailing life sailing in fleets of either Enterprises, Mirror dinghies and Tasars and to the purists that is without doubt the best form of racing. However I have also sailed in many handicap events and just have to accept that life then can become a bit of a lottery, but if you can start well, read the wind shifts correctly, handle your boat skilfully then you should be more or less competitive. Sure there are some boats and crews that sail better in light winds and some better in stronger winds, but each condition requires a certain skill set. Understand your weakness, try and overcome it, make sure your boat is in the best condition possible and sail it to the best of your ability. Results will come, but above it all make sure you enjoy it AND sail a boat that suits your environment. ------------- Golden Oldie |
Posted By: kneewrecker
Date Posted: 10 Apr 14 at 9:24am
that has to be the best summary on how to approach handicap racing I have read in a long, long time.  Glad you had a good 'first sail' too.
|
Posted By: lionel rigby
Date Posted: 10 Apr 14 at 10:13am
|
Thankyou ------------- Golden Oldie |