Common Pickleball Injuries And How to Fix Them
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. As it continues to grow, so does the prevalence of pickleball- related injuries. Since the sport attracts players of all ages and levels of fitness, the risk of falls or developing an overuse injury has become more common. These common pickleball injuries can keep players out of the game and affect the quality of play.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON PICKLEBALL INJURIES?
1. Rotator Cuff Strain Racket sports place a lot of emphasis on shoulder dexterity and power, if the rotator cuff does not offer enough support in stabilizing the shoulder, then strains, sprains, and tears may occur. Playing for long durations or changing serve types can put excessive stress on the shoulder muscles and contribute to an overuse injury. 2. Pickleball Elbow Pickleball requires force absorption with every volley of the Wiffle ball; this repetitive impact can strain the forearm muscles that attach at the elbow over time. Pickleball elbow may occur with repetitive rotation of the forearm or poor form which places stress on the small, stabilizing muscles that protect the elbow. 3. Achilles Tendon Irritation Pickleball is a high-intensity sport that requires explosive movements such as running, cutting, and jumping. The Achilles tendon is found at the base of the calf muscle, and during greater impact activities, is responsible for generating the power to push off. With excessive jumping and cutting, the heel can get over-irritated from repetitive loading on the joint and can become inflamed and painful. 4. Meniscus Injury Due to the dynamic nature of the game, multi-directional shuffling and cutting are required to pursue the ball. These movements put excessive stress through the front part of the knee and may lead to meniscus wear and tear over time.
A report in the Journal of Emergency Medicine estimates there are about 19,000 pickleball injuries per year with 90% of them affecting people 50 and older.
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