The Top 5 Pickleball Injuries: Symptoms, Prevention and When to See a Doctor

Contributed by: Jensen Kolaczko, MD / Orthopedics

The Top 5 Pickleball Injuries: Symptoms, Prevention and When to See a Doctor

Pickleball is popular for good reasons. It’s social, fast-moving and easier to learn than other racket sports. The court is smaller than a tennis court, but that doesn’t mean the sport is risk-free.

Players still make quick starts, sudden stops and fast turns. These movements can lead to injuries.

“Pickleball uses a smaller court, but we still see many of the same injuries people get from tennis or similar sports because players are still making fast, explosive movements,” says Jensen Kolaczko, MD, an orthopedic specialist at MetroHealth.

Here are five common pickleball injuries, plus tips to help prevent them and signs that it’s time to see a doctor.

Why Do Pickleball Injuries Happen?

Pickleball may look less intense than tennis, but it can still put stress on the muscles, joints, tendons and bones. Many injuries happen because of quick starts and stops and sudden changes in direction. Other common causes include:

• Slipping or landing awkwardly
• Falls while reaching for the ball
• Playing on wet or uneven courts
• Wearing shoes that don’t provide enough support
• Returning to play before an injury has healed

Older adults are more likely to break a bone if they fall. But pickleball injuries can happen at any age.

“The older population that plays may be at risk for certain things, but people in their teens and 20s play, too,” Dr. Kolaczko says. “They may recover faster, but they’re still at risk.”

The good news is that pickleball is easier on the body than other sports. Still, injuries have become more common as more people take up the game.

The 5 Most Common Pickleball Injuries

1. Achilles tendon injuries

The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel. It helps you walk, run and jump. An injury can happen when a player suddenly sprints, pushes off or changes direction. You may feel sharp pain in the back of your ankle or calf. Some people say it feels like someone kicked them in the leg. Walking may become difficult, and you may not be able to put weight on your foot.

Achilles tendon tears need prompt medical care.

“You don’t want someone to tear their Achilles on a Saturday, walk around in regular shoes for a week and then come in later,” Dr. Kolaczko says.

Treatment may include wearing a boot or brace, physical therapy or surgery. Recovery can take several months.

2. Ankle sprains

An ankle sprain can happen when a player cuts, pivots, slips or lands awkwardly.

Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and trouble walking. Mild sprains often improve with rest and time. But you should see a doctor if you can’t put weight on your foot or swelling continues to get worse.

“If someone has problems walking or bearing weight, especially after a leg or ankle injury, they should get checked out,” Dr. Kolaczko says.

Treatment may include rest, a brace or boot, medicine to reduce pain and swelling, physical therapy or additional testing if needed.

3. Knee injuries

Knee injuries often happen during quick turns or twisting movements. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness or a feeling that your knee might give out.

Minor knee injuries often improve with rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medicine. But worsening pain, increasing swelling or an unstable knee should be checked by a provider.

4. Wrist fractures

Wrist fractures often happen when a player falls and tries to catch themselves with an outstretched hand.

This is more common in older adults, especially those with osteoporosis.

Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and trouble using your hand or wrist.

“If symptoms aren’t improving, are getting worse, or the person can’t use their hand or arm, they should be evaluated,” Dr. Kolaczko says.

Treatment may include a cast or splint. Some fractures may require surgery.

5. Shoulder injuries

Shoulder injuries may happen after a fall or from repeated overhead movements during play.

Symptoms include shoulder pain, weakness, limited movement or trouble using your arm.

Some shoulder injuries improve with rest, physical therapy and medicine. Others may require additional testing or surgery. If pain gets worse or you can’t use your arm normally, see a doctor.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Injury

Don’t let the risk of injury keep you off the court. Pickleball is a fun way to stay active, exercise and spend time with friends. To help prevent injuries, Dr. Kolaczko recommends that players “hydrate, stretch, wear good footwear and be ready to play.”

He also recommends:

• Warm up before you play
• Stretch after warming up
• Wear supportive shoes and tie them securely
• Avoid wet courts
• Remove anything that could cause you to trip
• Rest between games
• Listen to your body instead of playing through pain

Signs You Should See a Doctor

Some soreness after exercise is normal, especially if you’re trying a new activity. But certain symptoms should not be ignored.

See a doctor if you:

• Can’t put weight on your foot or leg
• Have pain that gets worse
• Have swelling that is severe or keeps getting worse
• Can’t use your hand, arm or leg normally
• Don’t improve after resting

“If it’s only soreness after a fall, that may be different. But if someone can’t function properly, that’s a problem,” Dr. Kolaczko says.

Waiting too long can make recovery harder. What seems like a mild sprain could be a broken bone or another injury that needs treatment.

Treatment for Pickleball Injuries

Treatment depends on the injury.

Your doctor will examine the injured area and may order X-rays. Some injuries also need an MRI or CT scan to look more closely at the bones, tendons or other soft tissues.

“The important things after an injury are basic imaging, usually X-rays, and a thorough physical exam,” Dr. Kolaczko says. “Depending on the injury, we may move forward with advanced imaging.”

Some injuries improve with rest, a brace or boot, medicine to reduce pain and swelling and physical therapy. More serious injuries, such as torn tendons or certain fractures, may require surgery.

Recovery time depends on the injury. A mild sprain may heal in a few weeks, while a broken bone or torn tendon can take several months.

The Final Score on Pickleball Injuries

Pickleball is a fun way to stay active, but like any sport, injuries can happen.

“The main takeaway is that pickleball injuries are similar to other sports injuries,” Dr. Kolaczko says. “They can range from mild sprains, aches and bumps to fractures or torn tendons.”

Warm up before you play, listen to your body and don’t ignore pain or swelling that gets worse. Getting care early can help you recover faster and get back on the court safely.

Your Questions Answered

Q. Should I see a doctor for a pickleball injury?

A. See a doctor if you can’t put weight on the injured area, pain or swelling gets worse or you can’t use your hand, arm or leg normally.

Q. Can older adults safely play pickleball?

A. Yes. Pickleball is a great way to stay active and spend time with others. Older adults should take extra care to prevent falls and allow injuries to heal before returning to play.

Q. How can I prevent pickleball injuries?

A. Warm up before you play, wear supportive shoes, stay hydrated, avoid wet courts and don’t ignore pain.