What Is the Most Common Pickleball Injury? (and How to Prevent It)

What Is the Most Common Pickleball Injury? (and How to Prevent It)
- Edd Siu
  October 29, 2024

Pickleball’s fast pace and agility demands make it prone to injuries. Understanding the most common ones helps you play safer and stay on the court longer.

In This Guide
• Common Injury Types
• Overuse Injuries
• Extremity Injuries
• Falls and Traumatic Injuries
• Other Common Injuries
• Age-Specific Risks
• Prevention and Treatment

Illustration of a doctor in a white coat examining an X-ray in a medical office with an exam table, window blinds, and a cabinet with a potted plant.

Common Injury Types

With pickleball’s fast pace and high physical demands, injuries are unfortunately common, particularly in musculoskeletal and traumatic categories.

These range from shoulder strains and sprains to fractures, often stemming from overuse, repetitive motion, and sudden direction changes. Let’s break down these injuries and understand why they’re so prevalent in this sport.

Illustration of two people playing tennis on a court. One player is preparing to serve, while the other is in a ready position. Tennis balls and a racket lie beside the court.

Overuse Injuries

Repetitive strain and overuse injuries are the most prevalent in pickleball, affecting muscles and tendons with continued stress from the game’s quick motions.

The high frequency of swings, reaches, and quick stops can lead to cumulative wear on certain muscle groups:

Shoulder Strain: Continuous arm extension and swinging cause strain, especially on the rotator cuff, leading to pain and limited range. If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, try our Ice Cold Wrap – designed to reduce inflammation and provide cooling relief, perfect after a long game.
Pickleball Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Akin to tennis elbow, this injury occurs from repeated gripping and swinging, causing forearm tendons to inflame due to overuse.

Extremity Injuries

Quick pivots and rapid movements target the extremities, particularly the arms and legs, creating frequent and often severe strains in these areas. Quick lateral shifts and sudden stops increase the risk of:

Ankle Sprains: The sudden, sharp movements involved in pickleball strain the ankle ligaments, leading to painful sprains.
Knee Strains: Lateral shifts and quick direction changes stress knee joints, making them vulnerable to strain. Support your knees with our Knee Compression Sleeve – offering stability and compression to prevent injury while keeping you moving freely.

Falls and Traumatic Injuries

Falls are a major cause of traumatic injuries on the pickleball court, especially for older players, and can result in painful and sometimes debilitating outcomes. Whether due to a slip, stumble, or dive, falls increase the likelihood of:

Fractures: Older players face a higher risk of fractures, especially in the arm bones (radius, humerus, ulna), legs, and ankles.
Muscular Strains and Sprains: Though generally less severe than fractures, these soft-tissue injuries can take weeks to recover and often occur in the legs and arms. Reduce recovery time by applying our Ice Cold Wrap after your game to cool down sore muscles and help decrease inflammation.

Illustration of a tennis player mid-action, leaping to hit a shot at the net on an outdoor court with floodlights in the background.

Other Common Injuries

Beyond the commonly mentioned strains and sprains, repetitive bending and reaching actions in pickleball can result in additional injuries affecting mobility and performance.

These include:

Lower Back Pain: Swift twists and pivots during games can strain the spine, leading to chronic lower back pain over time.
Achilles Tendonitis: Regular, repeated stress on the Achilles tendon due to stop-start motions leads to inflammation and discomfort.
Wrist Strains: Excessive use of the wrist for repeated swings can cause painful strains, especially among players heavily reliant on their dominant hand.

Additional Resources

Explore our range of products designed to support knee health:

- Oversize Universal Cold Wrap
- $19.99
- Color:
- add to cart >

- Knee Brace Compression Sleeve
- $9.99
- Size:
- add to cart >

Age-Specific Risks

Older players encounter unique risks in pickleball, with age-related declines in strength and stability making certain injuries more common and severe.

Studies reveal that individuals aged 50 and over account for a substantial proportion of these injuries, especially among women over 60, who are more susceptible to fractures and related complications.

Understanding age-specific risks is crucial to maintaining long-term health while enjoying the game.

Prevention and Treatment

Preventing injuries in pickleball is about proper preparation and physical conditioning, as well as understanding individual limits. Simple steps can significantly lower the risk:

Warm Up: Gentle stretching before a game helps improve flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness.
Wear Proper Footwear: Shoes with appropriate traction reduce slipping and help stabilize sudden lateral movements.
Keep the Court Clear: Tripping hazards can increase injury risk, so it’s essential to remove any debris from the playing area.
Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration ensures muscle endurance and helps prevent cramping.

For knee support during play, use our Knee Compression Sleeve – its snug fit helps stabilize joints and reduce fatigue from lateral movements, so you can focus on the game.

For minor injuries, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) remains effective, while more severe issues may need professional medical attention or physical therapy.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the types and causes of common injuries can help prevent them.
• Age and activity level play significant roles in injury risk, especially among older players.
• Proper preparation, such as warm-ups and hydration, is vital for injury prevention.