Pickleball Injuries: The Fastest Growing Sports Problem

Pickleball player

If you've spent any time around community courts, recreation centers, or local parks recently, you've probably noticed the growing popularity of pickleball. What was once considered a niche activity has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports. Its appeal is easy to understand. The game is social, easy to learn, relatively inexpensive, and suitable for players of all ages and fitness levels.

But as participation continues to soar, so does another trend that isn't quite as exciting: pickleball-related injuries.

As a physiotherapist, I am seeing more patients coming into the clinic with aches, pains, and injuries directly related to pickleball. While the sport may appear less demanding than tennis or squash, it still places significant stress on muscles, joints, and tendons—especially when players jump into the game without adequate preparation.

The good news is that many pickleball injuries are preventable with the right approach.

Why Pickleball Can Be Harder on the Body Than It Looks

One reason injuries occur so frequently is that pickleball often attracts people who may not have participated in regular sports for several years. The smaller court and slower ball speed create the impression that the game is gentle and low-risk.

However, once play begins, participants quickly find themselves performing rapid starts and stops, lunging for shots, twisting, reaching overhead, and changing direction repeatedly. These movements place considerable demands on the body.

Unlike walking or casual exercise, pickleball requires quick reactions and explosive movements that can challenge balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility. When these physical demands exceed what the body is prepared for, injuries can occur.

The Most Common Pickleball Injuries

Shoulder Pain

Repeated overhead shots, serves, and smashes can place strain on the shoulder muscles and tendons. Players who lack shoulder strength or mobility may develop rotator cuff irritation, tendonitis, or general shoulder discomfort.

Many recreational athletes don't realize how much shoulder conditioning is required until pain begins affecting their game.

Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow

Despite its name, tennis elbow is extremely common among pickleball players. Repetitive gripping of the paddle and repeated forearm movements can irritate the tendons around the elbow.

Symptoms often begin as mild soreness but can gradually become painful enough to affect daily activities such as lifting objects, opening jars, or typing.

Knee Pain

Frequent squatting, lunging, and sudden directional changes can aggravate existing knee issues or contribute to overuse injuries.

Players with underlying arthritis may notice increased symptoms after long matches, while others may develop tendon irritation around the kneecap.

Achilles and Calf Injuries

One of the more common injuries I see involves the calf muscles and Achilles tendon. Quick acceleration toward a short shot can place significant strain on these tissues.

Many players describe feeling as though someone kicked them in the back of the leg, only to discover they have suffered a calf strain or Achilles injury.

Falls and Fractures

Perhaps the most serious pickleball-related injuries occur when players lose their balance and fall. This is particularly concerning among older adults, where falls can result in wrist fractures, shoulder injuries, or hip fractures.

The fast-paced nature of the game can sometimes encourage players to reach for difficult shots without considering their balance and stability.

Weekend Warrior Syndrome

One of the biggest risk factors for injury is doing too much too soon.

Many enthusiastic players discover pickleball and immediately begin playing several times per week for hours at a time. While the excitement is understandable, the body often needs time to adapt to new physical demands.

Muscles, tendons, and joints respond best when activity levels increase gradually. Sudden spikes in playing time can overwhelm tissues that haven't yet developed the strength and endurance required for the sport.

Prevention Starts Before You Step on the Court

The best injury treatment is prevention.

A proper warm-up before playing can significantly reduce injury risk. Five to ten minutes of brisk walking, gentle stretching, and dynamic movements help prepare muscles and joints for activity.

Strength training is equally important. Strong leg muscles improve stability and power, while strong shoulders and core muscles help support efficient movement and reduce stress on vulnerable joints.

Balance training can also be particularly beneficial, especially for older players. Simple exercises performed regularly can improve coordination and reduce the likelihood of falls.

Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You

Many injuries begin as small warning signs that are ignored.

A little soreness after a game is normal, particularly for new players. However, persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, or discomfort that worsens over time should not be dismissed.

Too often, players attempt to push through pain because they don't want to miss court time. Unfortunately, this approach frequently transforms minor issues into more significant injuries that require longer recovery periods.

Early intervention often means quicker recovery and less time away from the activities you enjoy.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy can play an important role in both preventing and treating pickleball injuries.

A physiotherapist can assess movement patterns, identify areas of weakness or stiffness, and develop an individualized exercise program designed to improve performance while reducing injury risk. Treatment may include manual therapy, strengthening exercises, flexibility training, balance work, and education on proper recovery strategies.

For those already dealing with pain, physiotherapy can help address the underlying cause rather than simply masking symptoms.

Play Smart, Play Longer

Pickleball offers tremendous physical, mental, and social benefits. It keeps people active, encourages community involvement, and provides an enjoyable way to maintain fitness at any age.

The goal isn't to avoid the sport because injuries can happen. Rather, it's to approach the game with the same preparation and respect you would give any physical activity.

By warming up properly, building strength, listening to your body, and addressing problems early, you can continue enjoying the fastest-growing sport around while minimizing your risk of becoming part of the fastest-growing injury trend as well.