What is the best way to deal with plantar fasciitis when you have to referee basketball?

Either call a Technical foul, or get fascetious back at him.

What is it anyway? What part of the foot?

See your doctor.

MTD, Sr.

Translation: "Seek a cone of medicality." :D

(Sorry, Mark, I can't help myself!!)

Maybe, Chuck, it's time to see *your* doctor...

Many people think that they have bone spurs in their heels when they are really suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. I had it several years ago and learned quite a bit about. The plantar fascia is a thin layer of tough tissue that supports the arch. When it tears and/or becomes inflamed, it can cause pain in the heel and the arch. It's especially bad after you rested for about 30 minutes after a game or when you get out of bed in the morning. Here are some things that work.

Tape the foot
If you're taping it yourself.
Using inch and a half tape, start at the heel and tape, in a chicken foot manner, to the ball of the foot at the base of each toe(Does that make sense?). Use 4 or 5 strips. Then tape around the foot, from big toe around the heel to little toe. This gives added support. Make sure the "chicken foot" and the "wrap around" are tight. IOW, don't just stick the tape on the foot. There must be some tension to it, so that the tape acts to perform some of the work of the plantar fascia "tendon." Tape from above, around the bottom of the foot to hold the tape in place at toes and the heel. KEEP THE TAPE OFF THE ACHILLES!

Here's a pic that shows the plantar fascia. As you can see, the taping that I described looks similiar to the way the plantar fascia looks. You just want to start further back on the heel and finsih closer to the toes. KEEP THE TAPE OFF THE ACHILLES!

http://heelspurs.com/p/pf3.jpg

If you have someone willing to tape it for you
The link below is basically how the podiatrist taped mine. But he also showed me how to use the method above.

http://www.nismat.org/traincor/pl_fasciitis.html

Orthotics
Several companies make inexpensive shoe inserts. These inserts are not cushions. They are made of hard plastic and provide support for the arch. I bought two pair, made by a company called Spenco. Do a Google search for Spenco and you should find them. The chain stores don't carry them. You're probably more likely to find them in a local drugstore.

Stretching
Stretching the calf also stretches the arch. One of the best ways is to take a towel, loop it around the ball of your foot and pull up, with the toes pointing back toward you. Do this after a game, at home when you're sitting and watching TV, and in bed, before you get up in the morning.


These things worked for me. Mine went away in a few weeks. When I went to the podiatrist, he taped my foot as I had a football game that night. I had no pain whatsoever. You can also do a google search and find all sorts of info.

See Connecticut, I'm not so bad! :D

I recommend you find a podiatrist who specializes in running and sprinting injuries. Mine showed me the taping like BktBallRef recommended and that helped a lot. But he also showed me how to fit shoes so it wouldn't happen again, and which shoes I had now that had caused the problem in the first place. A podiatrist can also write a prescription for anti-inflammatories, and will notice any other problems with your feet and ankles that you may not have realized you had.

Dan, leave Chuck alone.

Chuck, your coke's in the mail.

You always liked him best!

I just got orthodics, and my feet, kneens and legs feel 1000% better. I can't wait to see what happens when basketball season starts.

http://heelspurs.com/p/pf3.jpg

This pic BBR is showing looks very familiar...
I think I saw this footprint up here in the Pacific Northwest a few years back. ;)

Bill Laimbeer is coaching in Seattle? :confused:

Thanks for the info, I guess I'm going to have to call you
DrBktBallRef!

I have suffered with severe PF for about 3-4 years. It can be excruciatingly painful. Go see a dr, (IMO) a podiatrist is best for this problem. Juulie's advice about seeing one who runs (or is an athelete) is what I would also recommend. Do everything that the dr recommends. I tried it all, anti-inflammitories, strectching, ice, tape, cortizone shots in the foot(I,ve had about 12 shots in the foot, that is some real fun :( )and nothing helped with the pain. I finally had to resort to surgery, a release of the fascia. It was a good decision for me that I made after I exhusted all other options and had pain that limited my ability to enjoy a normal lifestyle.

Contact me if you want more details.

WOW!!! I wish I had kneens. They sound keen. How do you keep them clean? Are they shaped like a bean? Do you treat them mean? What happens if they turn green? Do they stay quite lean?

No where in the job description of a referee does it say I need to be able to spell. ;)

But the orthodics were great, for my knees. They might be a bit pricy, but that's what insurance is for. And can you really put a price on the health of your feet??

Man, officials sure are wussies.

Most cases of PF are caused by the constant "kicking out" smart-a** coaches. :D

That is why I never coach without my stunt double.

If Chuck used one, the guy would be known as a stunted double.

Nah...I guess it was a weak attempt at humor...since the Pacific Northwest is known for a certain "Big Foot" that roams the countryside.

Bill Laimbeer is Big Foot? :confused:

Just as big, and just as smart. . .

Way to go, Chuck. Now you've gone and pi$$ed off the Sasquatch.