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Pickleball Injuries

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, offering a fun, social, and relatively low-impact workout. However, despite its accessibility, especially for older adults, the sport can lead to a variety of injuries due to quick movements, repetitive motions, and sudden directional changes. Many of these injuries result in the need for physical therapy to manage pain, restore function, and prevent recurrence.

Injuries We Treat The Most

This is one of the most common shoulder injuries in pickleball, often caused by repetitive overhead motions like serving or smashing. Players may experience pain, weakness, and a reduced range of motion in the shoulder. Physical therapy typically focuses on strengthening the shoulder stabilizers, improving mobility, and gradually restoring functional use.
Despite the name, tennis elbow is also prevalent in pickleball due to repetitive paddle strokes that strain the forearm muscles. This condition causes pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow, especially during gripping or lifting. Physical therapy helps reduce inflammation, strengthen the forearm muscles, and correct movement patterns to avoid further irritation.
Quick lateral movements and sudden stops can easily result in an ankle sprain, especially if a player lands awkwardly or missteps. Symptoms often include swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Therapy aims to reduce swelling, restore joint mobility, and improve balance and strength to prevent re-injury.
Pickleball can put stress on the knees due to frequent squatting, pivoting, and lunging. Injuries such as meniscus strains or patellofemoral pain syndrome are common, especially in players with poor biomechanics. Physical therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles around the knee, improving joint alignment, and teaching proper movement techniques.
Twisting motions, bending, and poor posture during play can lead to lower back strain. Players often report tightness, aching, or stiffness in the lumbar region. Treatment through physical therapy includes core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on proper body mechanics both on and off the court.

Start Your Path To Pain Relief With A Specialist

If you or a family member have been dealing with persistent pain for more than three weeks without improvement, a visit to a licensed physical therapist could be highly beneficial. While many aches and pains improve on their own, ongoing issues often need a professional evaluation from a musculoskeletal expert.

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