Basketball is an intense, high-impact sport that demands quick movements, jumps, and sudden changes in direction. These physical demands place significant stress on the feet and lower limbs, particularly for children and adolescents whose bodies are still growing.
At My Family Podiatry, we work with a number of basketball players ranging from juniors and representative players through to professionals and even Olympians. Aside from providing the athlete a stable base to propel from and improving their jump power and stability, we also work with a number of athletes on various injuries common with a sport such as basketball. This blog discusses some of the more frequent issues we see basketball players presenting with in clinic and the crucial role podiatry can play in improving performance and preventing injuries.
Common Foot and Leg Issues in Basketball Players
1. Ankle Sprains: Frequent in basketball due to the constant jumping, pivoting, and quick direction changes. Sprains occur when the ligaments supporting the ankle stretch beyond their limits or tear.
2. Plantar Fasciitis: This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It often presents as pain through the heel or arch and is common in athletes due to repetitive stress and impact of running and jumping on a hard court.
3. Shin Splints: Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints cause pain along the shinbone. Large amounts of running without proper support can lead to overload of the tibialis posterior muscle, resulting in shin splints and potentially more serious lower leg issues like stress fractures.
4. Achilles Tendinitis and Sever’s Disease: The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, can become inflamed from overuse or sudden increases in physical activity. In junior athletes, this tends to present as Sever’s disease, a painful irritation of the growth plate in the heel. Both of these conditions can cause significant pain and limit mobility.
5. Knee Pain: Conditions such as patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee) and Osgood-Schlatter disease are common among young basketball players due to the high-impact nature of the sport.
6. Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and sometimes infection. This can result from improper nail trimming, trauma, or tight footwear, all common in young athletes.
How Podiatrists Can Help Improve Basketball Performance
Custom Foot Orthotics
Custom foot orthotics are specially designed insoles tailored to the unique shape and biomechanics of an individual's feet. They provide several benefits for young basketball players:
- Improved Foot Alignment: Orthotics help in correcting abnormal foot positions, promoting better alignment and reducing stress on the feet and lower limbs.
- Enhanced Shock Absorption: When the bones and muscles are sitting in the correct position, the body is more tolerant to the forces it experiences during basketball training and games. Orthotics can also be made with some additional cushioning if required.
- Injury Prevention: Properly fitted orthotics can prevent common injuries by supporting the feet and distributing pressure evenly, thereby reducing strain on muscles and tendons.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses shockwaves to stimulate healing in damaged tissues. It can be particularly effective for:
- Achilles Tendinitis: ESWT promotes tissue regeneration and reduces inflammation, aiding in quicker recovery.
- Plantar Fasciitis: The therapy helps restore the elasticity of collagen fibres and increase blood flow, facilitating the healing process.
Manual Therapies and Exercise Rehabilitation
Manual therapies including massage and dry needling can be helpful in the recovery process from pain and injury. By reducing the tension in the muscles we can improve an individuals pain and get them back to activity sooner. Once pain levels are reduced, we can work through a tailored exercise program to ensure the athlete is strong and reduce the risk of future injuries.
Treatment of Ingrown Toenails
For young basketball players suffering from ingrown toenails, podiatrists offer several treatment options:
- Conservative Care: This involves gently removing the ingrown edge of nail and working to prevent the nail from becoming ingrown again.
- Partial Nail Avulsion: In more severe cases or if the athlete is repeatedly developing ingrown nails, the podiatrist may perform a partial nail avulsion. This is a minor surgical procedure where part of the nail is removed permanently to prevent it from growing into the skin.
- Education on Proper Nail Care: Podiatrists also provide guidance on proper nail trimming techniques and footwear choices to prevent future occurrences of ingrown toenails.
Podiatry can play a critical role in the development and performance of basketball players. From producing custom foot orthotics that stabilise the foot, allowing for improved power production and decreased likelihood of injury through to exercise rehabilitation and removal of ingrown nails, your podiatrist is here to ensure your performance is not limited by foot issues.
At My Family Podiatry, we are committed to providing tailored solutions that address the unique needs of each athlete, ensuring they stay on top of their game while maintaining optimal foot health. If you or your child is experiencing foot or lower limb pain, contact us today through the button below to schedule an assessment and learn how we can help support their athletic journey.
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