These shoes are made for squash, you bet

Sore foot – is it regular squash player problem?

Published: 18 Jan 2006 - 21:00 by drop-shot

Updated: 25 Nov 2008 - 16:03

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I used to use already Adidas Stabil shoes for 1 year and from 6 months I am using Asics Gel Construct and Gel Blast, as I found insole in these shoes fitting the foot shape much better. From few past weeks I have sore feet in the sesamoid bones area (the bone where the thumb connects with the sole area) and this has nothing to do with Calluses (dead layers of the skin) at all. Look at the attached picture where I indicated the sore area. My question to more experienced players, coaches is: Is this common squash “problem”, should I change shoes? Is this only my problem? Any recommendations? The pain is getting to kill me and I am just planning a long break to let it heal

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From snuffy - 25 Nov 2008 - 16:03

Hey "Drop shot".

Did you end up getting orthodics for squah? How are these working out?

I got a pair of custom orthodics. I put them in my shoes, but I find that my foot is in a much higher position then before. Do you get used to this? I am afraid of using these in a match situation.

I'm still "breaking in" the orthodics for the next week before I wear them in a match.

From Daren - 07 Sep 2006 - 15:11

"Attention Daren -
You not looking through the Forum Archives?"

How the Internet Works

Rule 15 - (Newton's Law)

"For every noob that comes to a forum posting the same old tired questions, there must always be someone to counter with "hey buddy, use the damn search! " Thus balance is achieved and the internet continues to function."

Thanks for the heads up Rita.

From rippa rit - 07 Sep 2006 - 12:52

Attention Daren -
You not looking through the Forum Archives?

From raystrach - 29 May 2006 - 10:50

you have got to remember that if you come from aus as i suspect pug505man does, the exchange rate is about $2.50 to £GB1. That makes a big difference, so $150 - $200 is in the range of those shoes.

not all shoes suit all people as i said earlier. expensive is not necessarily better although a set of sorbothane insoles (or an eqivalent) will improve shock absorbtion in any shoe and is worth the extra cash. (take out the ones that come with the shoe and put in the sorbothane of course)

in my case the sorbothane also lasts more than one set of shoes and extends the life of each pair. (as i said in an earlier post, usually the shock absorbtion qualities have gone from the shoes long before they start to fall apart.)

From BizarreCo - 23 May 2006 - 20:43

$200?!?!?!

That's ridiculas! Why don't you contact Squashdiscount.com and find out how much they'd want to ship out to whatever country you're in. Even if it's an extra $30 dollars, it will still come to less than $100 for the whole thing!

I use a pair of Adidas Stabil 5's in the ink colour (a very very dark blue (almost black)), and have to say that they are the best shoes I've ever had. Light, comfortable, manouverable and hard-wearing. They have great support and I really can't complain. In fatc I might just buy another pair before they sell out everywhere (the Stabil 6's are out now so 5's are limited supplies!)

Cheers

ADZ

From pug505man - 23 May 2006 - 11:51

I have found my game improved after I stopped wearing my squash design shoes n put on a pair of Nike cross trainers.
I used to wear lotto squash shoes which were ok, but I need the heel support (under the heel not the back of the heel) which you just cant get with indoor court shoes.

I also don't much like soles which don't curl up around the sides of the shoe - I like to feel my foot is IN the sole somewhat not ON top of it - I have a broad foot n it seems to help my balance.

I think these days shoe choice should be about what you feel comfortable in and be non marking.

Having said that i cannot comment on your adidas stabils etc as I simply cannot afford to take a punt that a $200 shoe will be ok when I cant (where I am they simply arent availaable even if i could afford them) even try them on. Of The shoes I can afford the cross trainers seem to offer me the things I need in my shoes. Which is the important thing i reckon.

From rippa rit - 05 Feb 2006 - 18:31

Yep Slavi - that's the spirit.
Look forward to your review.

From drop-shot - 05 Feb 2006 - 07:10

"PS. The Gear Review on squash shoes will be a beauty when you finally submit it Slavi. !"

Consider it done... just give me few more days to put my thought on comparison between Adidas, Asisc and Hi Tecs.

And I love your sarcasm, Rita!!!!!

From rippa rit - 04 Feb 2006 - 20:36 - Updated: 04 Feb 2006 - 20:38

Wow Slavi - your feet have been a popular topic, moreso than the skills

Anyway, beware of joggers and cross trainers just the same on the squash court, because I was led to believe, from a lecture I once attended, they might stick to the floor (grab), so the shoe stays and you keep going sort of business, and then you can have more trouble by spraining an ankle or twisting a knee.

Let us know the absolute answer to your problem when you have found it anyway.
PS. The Gear Review on squash shoes will be a beauty when you finally submit it Slavi. !

From raystrach - 02 Feb 2006 - 22:24 - Updated: 02 Feb 2006 - 22:25

That's good to hear slavi

by coincidence, i have two related stories...

I have been wearing a shock absorber in my shoes (not sorbothane - i couldn't get them at the time) anyway, i felt that they were pushing into my arch too much. I decided to wear a pair of asics cross trainers that i have and, bingo, my left knee which has been giving me trouble was not sore at all, after a hard match last night (i had a similar experience with an expensive pair of mizuno shoes - knees were sore and getting worse, kept tripping over my own feet - changed shoes, hey presto, all fixed!)

aother story of a friend who had been having feet and hip trouble. he has a job where he does a lot of walking. he has very flat feet and was recommended for orthotics. since, his hips got so bad he considered having a hip replacement. They were getting progressively worse.

after a chance conversation with a colleague,, he took his orthotics out and his hips have been getting better ever since. they aren't perfect but much improved.

figure all that out!

From drop-shot - 02 Feb 2006 - 21:46

Good news dear squashers, good news regarding my sore feet. Actully, what sore feet?
New shoes (Hitec Elite 500 with stronger toe area bumpers; new pediatric insoles tailormade for my feet and I am newborn on the court.
Diagnosis of the specialists watching the movie with my practice and game stated "pain comes from hitting the floor while starting to the ball and it's the effect of plenty of touch shots with specific feet move on the court (pretty often I do approach the drop shots with the back leg foot lying on sesamoid bone! - you got the point I hope)

So, from now on I am back to trainings and my real life.

From drop-shot - 25 Jan 2006 - 04:00

Well, sure I do, Rita. After the training or a game I spend 10-20 minutes warming down and stretching.
But the pain I got recently is a good sign as I think about it. I really do think I move better and more liquid on the court making bigger lounge as the last step to the ball (previously it was... well a bit ... chaotic...) and it seems my injured (sore) feet influenced my mind to change the movement and leg usage in the court. So, according to new way of footwork, my muscles and strings work harder than before.

From rippa rit - 24 Jan 2006 - 20:24

Slavi - just a thought.

Are you warming down after your matches?
I mean as soon as you come off the court do not sit down for at least ten minutes but keep walking around to move the lactic acid out of the muscles? This same thing applies to the break in between games - movement is good.
I used to keep walking around as I would be like a lioness for a little while, but I see some players just collapse in a heap on the chair.
Then once your heart rate has recovered do a stretching routine - much easier when you are warm and just off the court than the next morning. This will increase the flexibility over time too.

From drop-shot - 24 Jan 2006 - 19:34

Oh, it would be so perfect just to replace my sore feet with the new ones (new clean tread, super high friction)... new squash player on court, nope???

Regarding your delight feeling towards my "new way of movement" - yes, I think everybody has spotted I move different. Though nowadays my strings and strains were really sore. Thanks god i am on 4 days break. I'll be on court only on Friday afternoon for the club team training. Though day by day I do stretching and warm up session to keep my body aroused.

From rippa rit - 24 Jan 2006 - 06:50

Good work Slavi - join the club of people who just have to keep their bodies going and reviewing what the hell they are "really doing" - at times we do not have a clue what is actually going on.
If it was a motor car and the front tyre kept getting worn out we would soon get a wheel alignment, so why are we any different?

From drop-shot - 24 Jan 2006 - 03:10

Yes, sir. Ray, it is pretty incredible situation, but since I discovered that unbereable pain in my feet and I consulted you, my coach, doctors and masseurs, I turned that into positive and started to think about my footwork, fluid and efficient court coverage, my game improved a lot :)

From raystrach - 24 Jan 2006 - 00:52

it is good to hear that news about your performances slavi - don't hide your light under a bushell will you!

From Viper - 23 Jan 2006 - 20:44

I wear : http://www.ashawayusa.com/pages/FootwearModels.html

From drop-shot - 23 Jan 2006 - 20:05 - Updated: 28 Oct 2008 - 21:05

Yes, Viper, here you are perfectly right. Well, as I told you last friday, I am on the Squash Holiday this week. Yesterday I played in the tournament (National Ranking), I performed very good, defeating the blocks ranked 70-100 above me. I was fast, focus and fit. After first match (Qualifying round) everybody was watching me more carefully as I devastated the folk being ranked around 250 (I am just 320). One of the secrets of my perfect performance was a hint from Rita, to use both legs to start to the ball and being more careful with running. So my footwork and movement on the court was brillianltly fluid and efficient. I beat him 9-0, 9-3, and I was already qualified to the main draw of the tournament? in the main draw match I met the guy from the TOP of list and we played hard match. He won 2-1, but the match was long and tiring for the ref and the spectators :) [everybody thought I am the underdog and will be easy to beat, though I did test the guy's fitness and tactics prety well], and they said, my court coverage was brilliant: two, three steps, split, lounge, recovery... And they said they respected my lobs as well, they easily found out who's my teacher – national master of defending game and making the opponent run till he dies ... Though I feel every muscle and strain today :-D I think I did not succeded because I felt too much respect for my opponent. So I have to work on the mental approach. I gave up in the third game whenm he was leading 6-0. It was my mistake. I know. I feel ashamed. But, please do not forget, I do play squash just for 18 months, I joined the National Ranking in September 2005, so i still have to pay the price of rookie in those tournaments. I play the guys with 4-7 years of experience, 10 years younger. I just forgot that when we play the match we are equal and we have the same rights :-) Needles to say, no pain today in my feet, though I take a break, three-four days of rest for the tired feet. Ah, one more thing - Adidas seems to fit my feet better than Asics. What do you wear, guys?

From Viper - 23 Jan 2006 - 07:51

"You see, Viper, sometimes it's not too much weight on equipement and tools :) in squash"

Shoes are the most important piece of equipment in squash I reckon.

My point was that any top dedicated squash shoe will be a quality product and the difference between them just becomes a personal fit.

From rippa rit - 23 Jan 2006 - 07:30

Slavi - it is a pity you cannot walk on your hands to give those feet a rest - oh only joking.

Shoes are like toothbrush, personal.
There is a strong push for New Balance brand by the Podiatrist here - check them out too for quality and comfort.

From drop-shot - 21 Jan 2006 - 19:47

Hi all,
Thanks again for massive support and help. I truly appreciate it.
Ray – I always obey the rule that it's not about being fashionable and funky, that's why I did try and check various types of shoes, apart of overwhelming domination of Adidas Stabil model (at least in Hungary it's huge). That is why i went to Asics, that's why I am going to check out Hi-Tec soon.

Regarding "too much insole", APrice, I agree. The higher heels you build, the more dangerous you make it for your ankles. So I will be carefull with that axe, Eugene :)

So now I take few days of break (AFTER SUNDAY TOURNAMENT), to let it heal and recover.

You see, Viper, sometimes it's not too much weight on equipement and tools :) in squash.

From rippa rit - 21 Jan 2006 - 06:42

Gooday Slavi - Well things are sorting out according to elimination, and that is the only way to do it, so you will soon get to the bottom of it. Just one other thing that happens when any body part is sore:

In the case of feet - we alter the way we walk, to protect the area unknowingly,so that then puts pressure on other parts of the foot causing more irritation elsewhere.
In turn this altered foot strike can then affect the knee, and so on.
The orthodics can sort of retrain our walk too.

So the story goes on.

Orthodics are normally not very thick, and you also then disgard the existing innersole which makes more room for the new innersole.
Make sure the shoe is not too tight both in length and breadth, as we do not want your toes to end up looking like claws!!

True story.

From aprice1985 - 21 Jan 2006 - 03:33

Glad the x-ray is okay but remember that small fractures won't show up immediately so take a bit of a break just in case and a warning on too much insole as if it is too thick you will alter your balance and may be more likely to go over on your ankle so dont over pad.

From raystrach - 20 Jan 2006 - 21:59 - Updated: 28 May 2006 - 22:04

slavi

i am glad you got onto sorbothane (or similar products)

i think these products are a necessity for nearly all shoes. they not only protect the feet but ALL joints, especially in the knee and the back.

this is actually a good warning to players who play on shoes which look ok, but where the shock absorbtion has all but disappeared. the sorbothane insoles will help extend the life of shoes.

From drop-shot - 20 Jan 2006 - 19:52

Last update - xray did not show any flaws and problems with the bone fracture. So it's good news.
Second good news is that my feet are much better with additional shock absorbtion insole (the one I mentioned before - SORBOTHANE). Next week the doc will join me on the training to see my movement and to evaluate it.

Here's to better health.

From drop-shot - 19 Jan 2006 - 19:30

Oh, guys, thanks for massive help. So many questions and comments, I do appreciate it.

So, first answer for Viper – Well, I do play a lot of squash, but I do care for recovery time a lot. Massage, sauna, stretching after and before the game. I tell you, I used to be more volnureable and injury positive when I played less ;)
Honestly speaking I do n ot feel feet as fatigue, it is just a part of the feet that aches SOMETIMES, recently far too often.

Now, Arthur:
My feet look good, believe me :) there are no bruised or swollen areas, I do not have any "bloody" spots over there, neither blisters. Looks like I really have jumped on that part of the foot a bit too much.

Today in the morning my feet were overviewed/ examined quickly by the physiothereapist from the club. First recommendation – use softer insole in the shoes, give it a rest, but tomorrow I will see the doctor who takes care for national squad, so i will know more details.

I have to tell you - I put on my old Adidas on Fire, Asics insole and the special "Sorbothane shockstoppers and the game was more pleasureable than before". As I felt it, my feet needed to have softer insole and my arch of the feet needed to be put up a bit. Now I do not feel pain at all in my left foot and just small itching in the right one.

I will keep you updated.
Once more, thanks for massive help

From rippa rit - 19 Jan 2006 - 16:03

Yep Arthur and Slavi - all that stuff sounds pretty good.
Slavi it could be a bit of all of the above of course. Ice sure is a safe thing to do and rest from the pounding will help the inflammation.

Take notice of a few things:-

Do you always tend to use the same foot to lead into the swing? Try to use both legs (50/50) when doing court work, including lunging and turning movements. (That is when pushing off the ball, and alternately too, not all feet at once 'cos ya might fall over!!)
Change the direction of where and how you jog so that the same leg is not doing all the work, eg on uneven slope, oval, etc. In fact going up hills will cause more pull on the toes too.

I have orthodics, as I had a problem with Moretons Toe (Ithink you call it) where the nerve is compressed at the base of my third and fourth toe, and it would feel like I had a really hot blister/needle under my foot, especially on the bitumen tennis court surface), then the planter fascia gave me curry and it took about 8 weeks to come right. So I had to get all new sports shoes, a size bigger, to fit in the orthodics. Yeah, I am old and going droopy!!!
By building up a small area, around the arch area, it can take the pressure off that joint and it may not be necessary to have both left and right adjusted, but of course you need the same type sole for each foot so you are not lopsided in the shoe.

Slavi don't tough it out - it will no doubt improve with rest, but as soon as you start resuming the load it will probably play up, so ACT NOW to save any permanent damage. Repeated trauma causes
osteo-arthritis, and you don't want that to happen as you get older....go to the Sports Podiatrist that attends to your national squash players.

From aprice1985 - 19 Jan 2006 - 08:51

Hi slavi, unfortuantly you are a month too early, i do orthapedics next but it sounds like imnpact is on the first metatarsal or hallux area, the sesamoid bones are in that area but less important, stress fractures of the metatarsals are not uncommon although normally the 5th is common but like rita said your anatomy may differ. If it is a fracture of this or the sesamoids there is little that can be done except rest and trry to avoid movement of that joint but see a GP (not A+E been on rotation there they wouldn't like it) and they will advise as the only big risk is that oyu can damage blood vessels. Does your foot look bruised or darker colour than normal? It sounds like it could also be what is reffered to as bone bruising where there has been impact but no fracture and all you can do is rest it and protect it more in future. Until you see a doctor try ibuprofen to relive the pain and see if putting ice on helps.

From Viper - 19 Jan 2006 - 07:34

Also sounds like foot fatigue, ie you are playing too much squash.

From drop-shot - 19 Jan 2006 - 07:25

Doh, that's awesome answer, Rita, Cheers

though it sounds pretty scary.

"It is most probably you are hitting the floor with the area under your big toe taking most of the weight, and then pushing off putting extra strain on that joint."
Yes, I guess so, my right leg seems to be stronger and the right foot aches more. So, you say it is not the shoe's fault but my anatomy?

I will see the doc soon, I promise to keep you up-to-date on that. By the way - I use already special pads, only for the heel,s, I think I will use full foot insoles like that:
"SORBOTHANE SHOCKSTOPPER DOUBLE STRIKESorbothane Shockstopper Double Strike footbeds are replacement insoles which are contoured to give support to the heel and arch of the foot and have Sorbothane in the heel and ball areas. They provide comfort asnd support as well as shock absorbancy and are recommended as replacement insoles in all types of sports shoes and also in outdoor footwear.Sorbothane is a unique patended material that absorbs impact shock and helps prevent heel strike injuries. It has been scientifically proven to prevent and rehabilitate bone and ligament disorders such as achilles tendonitis, shin splints, calf strain and back pain." for more details goto: www.sportdiscount at squash accessories.

From rippa rit - 19 Jan 2006 - 07:09

Hi Slavi - you must attend to this immediately, as the condition can become chronic.. "Yes Mum" !!

We all have some pecularity in our structures, and in sport, things like weight transfer, alot of which probably can even come from the gait (the way the leg swings from the hips), and so it all transfers to the joints in the knees, ankles, and then feet.
Those genetic factors again.
We are stuck with, eg knock knees, bandy legged, flat feet, high instep, broad/narrow feet, bunions, uneven leg length, uneven feet size, etc though with the latest technology a Sports Podiatrist will be able to help.
Many of our top players wear orthodics to prevent calusus, blisters, bruised toe nails, etc.
Also, we tend to use one particular foot to push off so that foot will tend to take more strain than the other. My advice:-

Get the Podiatrist to make up a pair of temporary orthodics for you to try for a couple of weeks, before doing up the real thing.
Make certain the material of the sole of the orthodic is pliable, as you do not want restricted movement.

It is most probably you are hitting the floor with the area under your big toe taking most of the weight, and then pushing off putting extra strain on that joint.
The Podiatrist will be able to look at your stance under a mirror like stand, to see how your weight is distributed onto your feet. By building up an inner sole it is possible to redistribute your weight and therefore relieve that area that is being punished.

Slavi, I am one who has had to work at keeping my body tip top over many years, and things like shoulders, backs and feet take a lot of stress over time, not only while playing sport but at work, and leisure too, and in your case jogging. There are lots of things we have done over time which has aggravated our feet too, eg wearing shoes too small, too narrow, unsuitable heels, no absorption etc..
If you do get orthodics they must be right, they must be comfortable (they will increase your shoe size too by the way). Many orthodics purchased end up under the cupboard - negative.

Let us know how you go. Good luck with this.

From drop-shot - 18 Jan 2006 - 21:00 - Updated: 19 Jan 2006 - 03:42

I am sorry if this post appeared more than once - I put it once only but it did dissappear.

so I put it again and again...