Pickleball – Got Game with a Bit of Achilles’ Pain?

Pickleball is a fast-moving sport that incorporates tennis, ping pong and badminton all into one fun game that many people of all ages enjoy. In fact this sport has recently gained much popularity.

Due to its fast pace, players must be quick on their feet moving forward, backward, and laterally with many quick stops. According to a top Scottsdale podiatrist, Dr. Mark Forman DPM, M.B.A., F.A.P.W.C.A this can place a lot of stress on your feet causing issues to arise. One common injury is Achilles tendonitis.

Achilles tendonitis, according to Mayo Clinic, is the strain the tissue endures that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. There are many ways people develop Achilles tendonitis; however, according to Dr. Forman and   it typically is the result of overuse of the tendon that links the calf muscle to the heel bone.

Dr. Forman explains that this can be caused by tightening of the area due to the overuse of the heel, quick changes in speed, or the size of the shoes’ heels.

Dr. Mark Forman strongly encourages his patients to take proper care of their feet especially when playing sports or being active. Some suggestions include: proper footgear, socks, and foot exercises/stretching.

Proper footgear is important because the whole foot must be supported for every movement necessary in the sport. The shoes must protect the ankle along with solid support around the whole midsection to prevent midfoot injuries.

Many people might not think how important socks are, but they do play a role! Socks not only can increase the support around your foot, but proper socks can also minimize problems such as plantar warts, blisters, and toenail injuries. Purchasing socks that are tailored to your sport game like Pickleball can help protect your feet from further injuries, allowing you to surpass your opponents!

Dr. Forman and his specialized team at Put Your Feet First can help you heal from your pain in their Scottsdale office. Some treatments include orthotics, Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP), MLS Laser, and surgery.

We offer custom-made orthotics that are incredibly helpful to provide the needed support throughout your entire foot. Although orthotics can be bought at a drugstore, they are designed for the average foot. Needless to say, they don’t help many people. At Put Your Feet First, Dr. Mark Forman and his team use state-of-the-art technology to scan every minute detail of your feet to create a 3D image. This image is sent to the lab in which the orthotics are created and shipped back to Dr. Forman’s office.

Once orthotics are placed in your shoes, you’ll never want to take them off! The support for your balance, stance, and pressure is superb allowing you to stand upright, move quickly, and swing your racket appropriately.

PRP is a newer method that has been proven to be highly effective. Dr. Forman draws your blood and screens/spins it to collect all your rich platelets. These platelets are then injected into the injured area. This method decreases inflammation quickly and helps the area regenerate healthy cells and tissue, allowing for full recovery.

MLS Laser treatments is an FDA-Cleared treatment shown to help patients with pain relief. It does not require any downtime or pre or post care. MLS Laser utilizes a light that penetrates deep beneath the skin to the cellular level. It deadens the injured cells and tissue and helps rejuvenate the area with healthy new cells and tissue.

Most patients need several sessions, each session lasting no more than 10 minutes. Dr. Forman finds patients benefit the most with six-ten treatments.

Surgery is the last consideration, as Dr. Forman and the staff at Put Your Feet First want to help you heal with the least invasive methods. If it is necessary, then Dr. Forman and his superb team will meet with you to discuss the process and the care needed for pre and post treatment.

We, at Put Your Feet First, do not just put your feet first, we put YOU first! Please schedule a consultation with us today to discuss the best approach to help you heal from your injury and prevent any injuries from occurring.

Reach us through our website or by phone at 480.423.8400. We look forward to helping you get back on the court quickly!