Basketball shoes, like any sport-specific shoe, are designed with a combination of function and injury prevention in mind. Some of the most common basketball-related injuries are to the feet, ankles and knees, and these injuries can become aggravated or more common if players wear running shoes in place of traditional high-top basketball shoes.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are one of the most common basketball injuries, with the inversion sprain, caused when the ankle rolls outward, one of the most typical injuries for basketball players. The inversion sprain tears the ligaments and tendons on the outside of the ankle, and possibly damages bone depending on the severity of the sprain. Running shoes typically are cut so that they do not come up over the ankle bone, making it easier to roll the ankle when wearing them. This is why many basketball players wear high-top shoes, and a good portion tape their ankles or wear ankle braces to try to prevent sprains.
Achilles Tendinitis
Since basketball is a sport that incorporates almost constant running and jumping on the court, you may find that your Achilles tendon becomes sore or tender after playing. Running shoes often allow the feet to overpronate, which is when the foot rolls inward, placing additional stress on the Achilles tendon. Basketball shoes can help prevent this by keeping your feet snug and secure in one position. Taping and ankle braces help to prevent tendinitis as well.
Plantar Fasciitis
Injuries to the plantar fascia--which connects the heel to the toes, along the bottom of the feet--are often extremely painful and difficult to play with. Runners may develop plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation or tearing of the plantar fascia, from overuse or poor stretching. If this develops while playing basketball in running shoes, you can counteract the discomfort by wearing more supportive shoes. Rest is one of the only ways to heal this injury, so you are better off by wearing supportive basketball shoes from the start.
ACL Tear
One of the most devastating injuries that a basketball player can endure is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. This often takes surgery and a year of rehabilitation to recover from. The injury is caused by the knee ligaments twisting the wrong way and tearing. One way to prevent such an injury is to wear footwear that is conducive to the sport you are playing--in this case, basketball. Since running shoes are not designed for the pivoting and sharp cuts that basketball players make, they can stick to the ground and cause ligaments to twist in unnatural directions, sometimes resulting in ACL tears.
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