Pickleball is a fun sport combining several elements of different sports: tennis, badminton and ping-pong. According to the executive director of Pickleball Canada, participation in the pickleball game went from 350,000 people across Canada a year ago to over a million now. Pickleball appeals to an older crowd, and many play under the myth that you can't get hurt playing pickleball. Plantar fasciitis is a common running injury that occurs due to an inflamed plantar fascia. It's a dense tissue band located in the base of the foot and stretches from the heel to the toes. Runners suffering from the injury usually experience intense pain in their heels.
The pain is often worse when they first start walking in the morning. If you have tight calf muscles and a high arch, you're more inclined to a plantar fasciitis injury. So make sure to prioritize calf stretches before starting your runs. You should also try icing the heels of your feet after running and get plenty of rest.
What types of injuries do pickleball players experience?
Injuries mainly resulting from playing Pickleball range from tennis elbow to a broken wrist to foot and ankle injuries. If you're a pickleball player, you should be familiar with ways to avoid pickleball injuries. Keep reading for some tips from a foot doctor in Windsor that can help.
Common Injuries Arising Out Of Pickleball Sport
Picklers face a variety of injuries when playing this popular sport. Let's take a look at some common ones.
Ankle Sprains
Sometimes players land wrong on their feet, lose their balance or step wrong, causing a twisted ankle and an injury to the ligaments.
Plantar Fasciitis
The Plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue running across the foot's bottom. It connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band becomes inflamed.
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is in the back of the ankle and connects the calf to the heel. It can get strained with stop-and-go movements associated with the game.
Tips To Avoid Pickleball Foot Injuries
While some injuries are common while playing pickleball, there are some things you can do to avoid them.
Proper Footwear
The shoes you wear while playing pickleball should give you support and stability. You don't want to slip or roll an ankle, but your feet must slide slightly. Opt for court shoes rather than running shoes. Running shoes are designed to dig into the surface and don't give enough ankle stability.
Stretch and Warm Up
When your muscles haven't warmed up, you risk getting injured. Stretching before the game gives you more flexibility and increased stability. Your muscles will be looser, giving you a better range when playing.
Don't Play on a Wet Surface
A wet surface can be dangerous for a game like a pickleball. If your foot slides out from under you as you go to hit the ball, you could fall and suffer severe consequences.
Custom Orthotics
Custom shoe inserts called orthotics can help you manage and cure foot pain. Using them in your court shoes will provide additional foot support as well.
Don't Play While in Pain
If your body is telling you that something is wrong, listen. You'll risk an injury if you overwork your muscles by ignoring the signs.
Foot Doctor Windsor
You may have figured out that knowing how to avoid ending up with a pickleball injury and doing so are two different things.
If you've suffered a foot injury on the court, have questions about foot care in general, or have plantar fasciitis in Windsor, do you know who can help?
The Complete Foot Care & Orthotic Centre is here for you. We have the finest foot doctors in Windsor. Please browse our website for more information and to schedule a consultation.