Dr. Tom’s Top Insole & Orthotic Picks
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Dr. Tom’s Top Pain Relief Picks
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Editorial Policy
✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026
Pickleball Foot Injuries Are Exploding: A Podiatrist’s Prevention Guide
By Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Updated March 2026
Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in America — and ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles injuries from pickleball are flooding podiatry offices across the country. The sport’s quick lateral cuts, frequent direction changes, and hard court surface create a perfect storm for foot and ankle injury. Here’s how to protect yourself.
The Most Common Pickleball Foot Injuries
Ankle Sprains: The most common acute pickleball injury. Quick lateral cuts on hard courts create high-torque ankle inversion moments — especially for older players whose proprioception and reaction speed have declined. Prevention: court-specific shoes with lateral support + ankle bracing for players with prior sprain history.
Plantar Fasciitis: The repetitive impact of hard courts without adequate cushioning causes chronic fascial inflammation. Players who transition from walking/running to pickleball are particularly vulnerable. Prevention: court shoes + PowerStep insoles from day one. [AFFILIATE LINK — PowerStep Pinnacle]
Achilles Tendinopathy: The explosive push-off of pickleball rallies stresses the Achilles. Combined with the tight calves common in recreational athletes, this leads to midsubstance Achilles pain. Prevention: calf stretching before and after play, heel lift insoles, gradual increase in play time.
Stress Fractures: Metatarsal stress fractures from repetitive impact on hard courts — particularly in players who rapidly increase their court time. Prevention: proper cushioning, gradual progression of play volume.
Best Insoles for Pickleball
🥇 PowerStep Pinnacle: Our top pick for pickleball players. The semi-rigid arch shell provides the structural support needed for lateral cutting, and the deep heel cup protects against impact. Fits in most court shoes. [AFFILIATE LINK — PowerStep Pinnacle]
🥈 Curex RunPro: For lighter, faster players who prioritize dynamic response over maximum structure. The adaptive arch handles multi-directional loading better than fixed-profile orthotics. [AFFILIATE LINK — Curex RunPro]
Best Court Shoes for Pickleball
Use actual court shoes — not running shoes. Running shoes are designed for sagittal-plane motion; court shoes have lateral reinforcement. Top picks: New Balance 806, ASICS Gel-Court Speed, K-Swiss Hypercourt. Add PowerStep insoles to any of these for optimal support.
FAQ
Can I play pickleball with plantar fasciitis? With proper insoles and court shoes, mild PF can be managed with continued play. Moderate to severe PF requires reducing court time. At what age does pickleball injury risk peak? Players 55-75 have the highest injury rates — combining high enthusiasm with reduced proprioception and Achilles flexibility. Pickleball injury? Book an evaluation
Expert Podiatric Care for Michigan Patients
Michigan patients dealing with foot and ankle problems benefit from evaluation by a board-certified podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment plan — rather than relying on symptom management alone. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we combine clinical examination, advanced imaging when indicated, and a comprehensive understanding of foot biomechanics to identify the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms and design a treatment plan that addresses it. Our podiatrists are fellowship-trained in foot and ankle surgery and provide the full spectrum of care — from conservative treatment and custom orthotics to minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery. Michigan patients can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 for same-week appointments at our Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208) locations.
When to See a Michigan Foot Specialist
Michigan patients often delay seeking podiatric care, hoping that foot and ankle pain will resolve on its own — and sometimes it does. But there are clear clinical indicators that warrant timely professional evaluation: pain that persists beyond 4–6 weeks despite rest, icing, and over-the-counter treatment; pain that is worsening rather than stable; visible structural change such as swelling, bruising, or deformity; pain severe enough to alter your gait or limit your daily activities; or any foot problem in a patient with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or peripheral neuropathy, where even minor issues can progress rapidly. Balance Foot & Ankle makes it easy for Michigan patients to access expert care — we accept most major insurance plans, offer same-week new patient appointments, and have convenient locations in Howell and Bloomfield Hills. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule your evaluation.
Related Treatment Guides
Michigan patients experiencing foot or ankle problems can schedule an appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle — with locations in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.
Insurance Accepted
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Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
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Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your AppointmentPros & Cons of Conservative Care for foot care
Advantages
- ✓ Conservative care first
- ✓ Same-week appointments
- ✓ Multiple insurance accepted
Considerations
- ✗ Self-treatment can mask issues
- ✗ See a podiatrist if pain >2 weeks
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for foot care
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we use with patients.
Footnanny Heel Cream Dr. Tom’s Pick
Best for: Daily moisturizer for cracked heels
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-day appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Twp. Most insurance accepted. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM & team.
Book Today — Same-Day Appointments Available
Call Now: (810) 206-1402
About Your Care Team at Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon. Specializes in conservative-first care, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and complex reconstruction.
Dr. Carl Jay, DPM · Accepting new patients. Specializes in sports medicine, athletic injuries, and routine podiatric care.
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM, AACFAS · Accepting new patients. Specializes in surgical reconstruction and pediatric podiatry.
Locations: 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 · 43494 Woodward Ave Suite 208, Bloomfield Twp, MI 48302
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · (810) 206-1402
Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)
If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist + Amazon Associate. Picks shown are products he prescribes to patients at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All products independently tested + reviewed for 30+ days minimum. Last verified: April 28, 2026.
PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Dr. Tom’s most-prescribed OTC orthotic. Lateral wedge corrects overpronation that causes 90% of foot pain. Deep heel cradle stabilizes the ankle. Built by podiatrists, used by patients worldwide.
- Lateral wedge corrects pronation
- Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
- Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
- Trim-to-fit any shoe
- Used by 10,000+ podiatrists
- Trim-to-size required
- 5-7 day break-in for some
CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
3 arch heights for custom fit (Low/Med/High). Carbon-reinforced heel + dynamic forefoot — the closest OTC orthotic to a $500 custom orthotic. Engineered in Germany.
- 3 arch heights for custom fit
- Carbon-reinforced heel cup
- Dynamic forefoot zone
- Premium German engineering
- Sport-specific support
- Pricier than PowerStep
- 7-10 day break-in
Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Menthol-based natural pain relief — Dr. Tom’s #1 brand for fast relief without greasy residue. Safe for diabetics + daily use. Cleaner formula than Voltaren or Biofreeze.
- Menthol-based natural formula
- No greasy residue
- Safe for diabetics
- Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
- Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze
- Pricier than Biofreeze
- Strong menthol scent at first
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)