Baseball is tough on your feet, which isn’t surprising as it involves lots of running, pivoting and sliding. Add in the fact that the game is always stopping and starting, and you can see why foot injuries are common. Here’s a guide to what they are and how to treat them.
Bruises
A fast-moving baseball is going to hurt when it hits your foot – and, sooner or later, it will! You’re unlikely to play much without suffering a few bruises, which you can also pick up if you collide with an infielder while sliding into base.
- Most bruises, though they can be painful, are minor injuries and can be treated easily at home.
- Simply resting will allow the bruise to heal in a few days. You can also use ice packs to numb the pain.
Plantar fasciitis
This is an injury that you’re most likely to suffer if you’re a catcher, because of the way you move in that position. It’s caused when an area underneath your foot becomes swollen, and is worst on the arch of your foot.
- A common treatment is to use specially shaped inserts to support your feet better inside your shoes.
- This can be a tricky condition to pin down yourself, so you should always get advice from a podiatrist.
Achilles tendinopathy
This condition affects the Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to the heel bone. Because your lower legs get such a workout in baseball, it’s one of the most common serious problems – it can put you out of the game for six months.
- People who overdo training have a higher risk of developing this condition, so be realistic and sensible.
- You’ll need to rest and get advice on your shoe fit. Your podiatrist may also decide that you need medication or even surgery.
Fractures and sprains
You’re most at risk from these when you’re working hard, for example trying to make a difficult play by turning too quickly. Running the bases is also a time when you may suffer an injury like this.
- You’ll need plenty of rest. Raise the injured foot up and use an ice pack to reduce the swelling and calm the pain.
- It’s important to see a podiatrist, because you can suffer long-term problems from a sprain or fracture if you don’t.