Are you a Basketball player suffering from ankle and foot problems and discomfort. I did not have the height to continue playing basketball past 15 years old but love the sport. Although basketball is a great sport, great for your health, great to have some fun, it can cause some serious foot problems.
Common Basketball Injuries
1. Stress fractures- A stress fracture, also known as a hairline fracture, is an incomplete fracture of the bone- manifesting as a very small sliver or crack. Stress fractures typically occur in weight-bearing bones, such as the tibia and metatarsals.
2. Achilles tendonitis- Achilles tendonitis is a painful condition caused by the inflammation, and irritation of the Achilles tendon.The Achilles tendon runs the length of the posterior leg, extending to the heel. Excessive shoe stiffness, caused by improperly fitted footwear and tying laces too tightly, is a common contributing factor to Achilles tendonitis.
3. Plantar fasciitis- The plantar fascia is the thick, connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. It originates at the heel and extends to the base of the toes. The plantar fascia tightens and stretches each time the foot is used, and is highly prone to overuse- especially if the arch is not supported by proper footwear. Pain is usually experienced on the inside of the heel and along the arch. Flat feet, also known as overpronation, are the leading cause of plantar fasciitis.
4. Shin splints- Shin splints is the term used to refer to a painful condition of the shinbone, also known as the tibia, caused by small tears in the connective tissues that attach the muscles to the bone. The overworking of the shinbone, and the affixed connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone, is a major cause shin splints.
5. Athletes Foot- Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection, which grows in dark, moist conditions. A perspiring foot in tight, closed shoes provides the perfect environment for the athlete's foot fungus to thrive. Athlete's foot can be transmitted from person-to-person in moist environments where people walk barefoot, such as a shower or locker room.
6. Blisters- Blisters can be caused by the repeated rubbing of skin against the inside of the athletic shoe. Shoes that fit incorrectly can cause blisters, as can the process of breaking in a new shoe.
7. Heel spurs- Heel spurs are caused when calcium deposits are formed in response to the plantar fascia pulling away from the heel. Excessive stretching of the plantar fascia can lead to heel and arch pain, and heel spurs.
If you are having any of these common problems please come to Family Foot & Ankle Specialists to have treatment before it worsens.
