Pickleball courts are packed. Rivalries are heated. And suddenly everyone owns gear in eye-catching colors.
But as more people pick up a paddle, doctors are seeing another trend: an uptick in visits.
“There are a ton of possible injuries,” says Luke Stowers, MD, sports medicine specialist at HonorHealth. Still, he adds, “the health, exercise and social benefits of playing pickleball far outweigh the risks.”
Here are the four injuries Dr. Stowers encounters most often, and what to do next.
Trauma, no drama: pickleball elbow
Most common pickleball injuries fall into two categories: overuse injuries that happen over time and traumatic injuries that occur in one dramatic moment.
Pickleball elbow is the former. Repetitive swinging and gripping of a paddle can irritate the tendons in the outer portion of the elbow, causing subtle pain that gradually becomes harder to ignore.
If caught early, treatments are simple and can be done at home. “We initially treat with rest from any sport for a couple of weeks, and NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen,” says Dr. Stowers.
Pickleball elbow often improves with rest and strengthening exercises, but stubborn pain deserves a doctor’s attention. Depending on the severity, treatment may include bracing, physical therapy or injections.
When heels won’t heal: tendon injuries
Your Achilles tendon — that thick, flexible band behind your ankle — is especially vulnerable with pickleball because of all the quick starts, stops and lunges. Knee and quadriceps tendons can also become painful and inflamed.
Translation: your tendons can get irritated from repetitive stress, especially if you suddenly become a pickleball fanatic after years of warming your couch.
For mild cases of tendonitis and similar conditions, rest and anti-inflammatory medication can help calm things down. Dr. Stowers recommends starting with an over-the-counter diclofenac gel, commonly used for arthritis pain.
If pain keeps returning or starts interfering with everyday activities, it’s time to call an expert. “For more significant or prolonged cases, we will often recommend physical therapy, then platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections if that doesn’t work,” he adds. The good news? Surgery is rarely needed.
Wipeouts with a twist: ankle sprains
Pickleball courts may be small, but they generate an impressive number of twisted ankles. Sometimes the injury is mild enough that you can keep moving. “But if you’re in severe pain or unable to walk, we recommend an evaluation including x-rays,” says Dr. Stowers.
For less severe sprains, he suggests a few days of RICE treatment:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
Once you’re back on the court, make sure to wear supportive athletic shoes. Dr. Stowers also advises wearing lace-up ankle braces for several months after the injury.
Lunging for glory: muscle pulls
Pickleball has a way of convincing people they’re still 25. Unfortunately, your hamstrings sometimes disagree. “I most commonly see muscle strains or pulls in men over 50 after a sudden lunge while playing pickleball,” says Dr. Stowers.
The calf, hamstring and quadriceps muscles are common trouble spots, especially during sudden explosive movements.
Some strains are mild and improve with rest. “Signs of a more significant injury include extensive bruising, feeling a ‘defect’ in the muscle or noticing an abnormal contour,” Dr. Stowers adds.
For mild strains, he recommends ice or heat, plus light range of motion exercises and NSAIDs for pain. More severe pulls may require crutches, physical therapy or, in rare cases, surgery.
Protect yourself from pickleball pitfalls
Getting injured doesn’t mean avoiding the court forever. The goal is to get back to dinking and diving, but smarter. That means:
- Warming up before games
- Wearing supportive athletic shoes
- Building up gradually if you’re new
- Taking recovery days seriously
- Listening to pain before it becomes an injury
And if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Persistent pain, swelling or weakness is your cue to check in with a sports medicine specialist.
Because while pickleball may be America’s new favorite game, spending the season sidelined is no fun at all.