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How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

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matanshapira
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How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby matanshapira » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:22 pm

How do you suggest to avoid twisted/broken ankle besides bindings ?

What is better:
tight straps so a leg wont slip out ?
medium straps, so it holds well. and u can still get rid of the board if the jump doesn't go well ?
loose straps, so you hold with your toes bent up and can get rid of the board easily when the jump doesn't go well ?

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kitezilla
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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby kitezilla » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:57 pm

To answer that question, it would be best to start by answering the question: "What situations commonly result in twisted/broken ankles?"

Dry land practicing?
Shallow water landing?
One foot slipping out of the strap and the other foot smashing into the edge of the board?
One foot slipping out of the strap and the other foot getting torqued by the board in the air or on hitting the water?
Both feet slipping out and one leg smashing the loose board on hitting the water?
Bad technique while learning the trick?
Misjudgment after learning the trick?
Fast dropping flat landings from way up high?

Not kiting with release bindings will probably be the answer to most of the broken-ankle scenarios... This was the answer to the problem in the somewhat similar activity of skiing for the first 50 years of its popularity.

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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby BWD » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:16 pm

Basically, I would say medium.
The problem is when the foot is too far into the strap.
The foot works as a lever on the board with the strap as the fulcrum.
The foot/toe joints let you lock the foot in by riding position and foot flex, and release the board by leaning forward and extending the toes.
The line of max tension over the foot needs to be close enough to the toe joint line that toe extension will reduce pressure and let your foot pivot out.
Kind of simplified but that is how it works.
straps.GIF
So, I think tighter/smaller is better than too loose/too big.
It is really nice, if one foot comes out, to know the other foot can be kicked out too,
so the board does not become a giant torque wrench wrecking the other leg.

Some may want to lock their foot in more, for better freestyle or something
-the risk is breaking ankles and lower legs. Or use bindings and blow out a knee instead.
There are definitely times you want the feet secure on the board,
personally I'd rather blow a landing than an ankle.

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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby bri » Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:51 pm

I wear ankle support straps like you get for running. then gaffer / duck tape. Keeps the ankle firm. Be sure not to do it too tight

nomorebikinis
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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby nomorebikinis » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:12 pm

the fragility of the ankle is always in my mind. @BWD what a perfect picture you posted there; don t understand the words pivot or fulcr...but as i see it you just tighten up the straps and only the toes come out because than the range of flexibility is the highest. It's a shame that these slippers don't have something to support the hollow of your foot in a better way. I also believe in wrapping your ankle with some tape, just for support and strength. But i also see that every one wraps in a different way, I do it vertically and then on the top just a few straps horizontally.

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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby BWD » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:24 pm

thanks, "fulcrum" is the point a lever rotates around. The foot's like a lever, the fulcrum point would be on the fat red line in the picture above. Too high on the foot = not enough leverage or flexibility to get out easily.

matanshapira
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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby matanshapira » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:41 pm

BWD, thanks a lot.

In all the boards i have seen, it looks like the straps and pads are designed so the strap (fullcrum) will be located more like you painted in the top sketch. Maybe if we really tighten the straps so smaller part of the leg will be able to get inside it, we can use it as you mentioned in the bottom sketch.

Any other ideas ?

Watch the ankle injury in 1:26 here:
http://kitemovement.com/2009/03/05/batm ... the-movie/

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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby Ivel » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:01 pm

Go Strapless

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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby Robsw6 » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:00 pm

Avoid shallow water and be very careful coming in to the beach & heading out

Unstrapped is safer

For strapped - wedge your feet in to avoid unwanted one footed moments

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Re: How to avoid twisted/broken ankle ?

Postby slingshotucf » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:36 am

ride a bike to keep the ankles loose and strong. You want to have straps that are tight on the sides but loose in the center so you can come out easily if needed.


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