As you watch your March Madness brackets, we know that many of you will also be playing more basketball, too. Of course, this athletic activity is a great form of exercise, and a great way to meet new people—but you may also experience foot pain after basketball games. But what could be causing your discomfort? And how can your Massapequa podiatrists resolve your discomfort and get you back in the game? Here’s what you need to know.
Why do my feet hurt after I play basketball? ![man playing basketball]()
There are many possible reasons why you could experience foot pain after a basketball game. Often, the problem is your shoes. You could be wearing low-tops that don’t provide enough ankle support for the quick cuts and direction changes that are a big part of the game. Alternatively, your shoes could lack sufficient padding to absorb the shock when you land after going up for a shot or a rebound. Or, the sneakers may simply be lacking enough traction to keep your feet from sliding on the court.
Now, many of these problems can be solved by wearing sport specific shoes during athletic activities. But here’s the thing: if you have flat feet or high arches, sneakers alone may not be enough to keep your feet from hurting after a basketball game. At that point, you may need to invest in Medical Grade Insoles (MGIs) or even custom orthotics—by wearing them in your basketball sneakers, you can reduce your risk for pain. And, as an added bonus, you may even notice an improvement in your athletic performance!
Is it normal for my feet to hurt after playing basketball?
Foot pain after athletic activity is never normal—it’s your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Now, the problem could be your foot gear, as we mentioned above. But if you’ve tried changing your shoes, or adding the additional support of MGIs or orthotics and you still have foot pain after basketball, you could have a sports injury. At that point, we will want to see you in our Nassau County podiatry practice for an examination. What will we be looking for? Here are some of the most common foot injuries related to basketball:
Heel Pain
Basketball play involves lots of repetitive motion as you jump up for balls or run up and down the court. Unfortunately, that can lead to overuse injuries such as plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of heel pain. With this condition, stress on your plantar fascia (a band of connective tissue that runs from your heels to your toes, along the bottom of your foot) leads to inflammation. And that inflammation is painful, so you experience heel pain when you first wake up in the morning. Initially, that pain may improve with movement. However, without intervention, your pain will become chronic, and you will find it tough to make it through a basketball game or even through your regular daily activities.
Achilles Tendonitis
If you have foot pain after basketball located in the back of your heel, it could be another overuse injury: Achilles tendonitis. With this condition, repetitive motion leads to Achilles tendon inflammation. Now, if you don’t start treating Achilles tendonitis pain, you could suffer an Achilles tendon rupture, so you want to come into the office at the first sign of heel pain or pain in your calf muscles or the back of your leg.
Neuromas
Because basketball involves lots of big jumps and hard landings, it can increase your risk for neuromas—inflamed nerves that can cause ball of foot pain, or make it feel like you’re walking with a rock stuck in your shoe. Most commonly, the affected nerve is located between your third and fourth toes; this condition is called a Morton’s neuroma. In addition to foot pain after basketball, you may experience numbness or tingling in the ball of your foot.
Fractures and Sprains
Like any sport, basketball play increases your risk for sprains and fractures. Your ankles are particularly vulnerable because of the quick directional changes involved in the game. Symptoms of both injuries include pain, swelling and difficulty bearing weight. So, in order to rule out a fracture, you may need an in-office x-ray—a prompt and accurate diagnosis will help ensure proper healing.
Icing Your Feet After Basketball: Should You Do It?
If your feet experience minor swelling during athletic play, quickly icing them after a game may be helpful. Also, if there’s a chance you sustained an ankle sprain or fracture during game play, immediately icing the affected area can help reduce pain and swelling. However, the icing can’t replace appropriate medical attention. So if your foot pain after icing hasn’t improved in a day or two, it’s time to come into the office for a comprehensive examination and diagnostic imaging.
Help for Foot Pain After Basketball
After reading this post, you may wonder “Is basketball bad for my feet?” The good news is that, with the right shoes and the proper precautions, basketball doesn’t have to lead to foot pain or injuries. But, if you do experience pain after playing basketball—or any sport—what you do next is very important. You see, if you try to play through the pain, you could take a minor injury and make it much, much worse. But if you take a break from the game as soon as you notice a problem—and seek prompt medical attention—you will enjoy a much faster return to your favorite activities. Already noticing discomfort during games, or foot pain after basketball play? We’re here to help! Give us a call at 516-804-9038 or request an appointment by following this link.