Why Pickleball Players Get Injured (And How to Avoid It)
If you've spent any time in Scottsdale lately, you've probably noticed one thing:
Everyone is playing pickleball.
Retirees are playing. Former tennis players are playing. Weekend warriors are playing. Entire neighborhoods seem to have converted their tennis courts into pickleball courts.
And honestly, I get it.
It's fun.
It's social.
It's competitive.
It's also one of the fastest-growing sports in America.
Unfortunately, it's also responsible for a growing number of injuries.
As a physical therapist in Scottsdale, I've seen a massive increase in pickleball-related injuries over the past several years. In fact, it's become one of the most common reasons people walk through my door.
The good news?
Most pickleball injuries are preventable.
Why are pickleball injuries becoming so common?
The answer is actually pretty simple.
Many people are playing far more pickleball than their bodies are prepared for.
Someone who was previously exercising once or twice per week suddenly starts playing three hours a day, four days a week.
That's a huge increase in physical demand.
The body adapts incredibly well to stress.
But it needs time.
When activity increases faster than the body's ability to adapt, injuries become much more likely.
Research published in The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine has documented a significant increase in pickleball-related injuries over the last decade, particularly among adults over 50.
As participation continues to grow, so does the injury rate.
The most common pickleball injuries I treat
While almost any injury can occur on the court, there are several conditions I see repeatedly.
Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow
Despite the name, tennis elbow is extremely common in pickleball players.
Repetitive gripping and swinging place significant stress on the tendons around the elbow.
Over time, those tendons can become overloaded and painful.
Treatment often involves dry needling, shockwave therapy, progressive strengthening, and addressing shoulder mechanics that may be contributing to the problem.
Achilles Tendonitis
Quick starts, stops, lunges, and changes of direction place significant stress on the Achilles tendon.
Many players begin noticing stiffness first thing in the morning or soreness after playing.
If ignored, it can become a chronic problem.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is continuing to play through increasing symptoms without addressing calf strength and ankle mobility.
Plantar Fasciitis
Pickleball players spend a lot of time on hard court surfaces.
Combine that with repetitive loading and inadequate recovery, and heel pain becomes a common complaint.
Fortunately, plantar fasciitis often responds very well to a combination of shockwave therapy, strengthening, mobility work, and load management.
Knee Pain
Whether it's patellar tendonitis, arthritis, meniscus irritation, or general overuse, the knee takes a beating during pickleball.
Lunging, pivoting, and rapid changes of direction create substantial forces throughout the joint.
Improving lower extremity strength is often one of the most effective ways to reduce stress on the knee.
Shoulder Injuries
Serving, overhead shots, and repetitive swinging can irritate the shoulder over time.
I frequently treat pickleball players with:
Rotator cuff tendinopathy
Shoulder impingement
Biceps tendon irritation
Shoulder stiffness
Many of these issues improve with a combination of mobility work, strengthening, dry needling, and manual therapy.
What does the research say about injury prevention?
One of the most consistent findings in sports medicine research is that stronger athletes tend to get injured less often.
Research published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine has repeatedly shown that strength training significantly reduces injury risk across multiple sports.
The goal isn't becoming a bodybuilder.
The goal is improving your body's ability to tolerate the demands of the sport.
The stronger and more resilient you are, the better your body handles stress.
How to stay healthy on the court
If I could give pickleball players just a few pieces of advice, they would be:
Don't go from playing once a week to five times a week overnight.
Strength train regularly.
Address aches and pains early.
Prioritize recovery.
Improve mobility where needed.
And perhaps most importantly:
Don't wait six months before getting evaluated.
Most injuries are much easier to treat when they're addressed early.
How I help pickleball players at Modern Movement
The majority of pickleball injuries I see are overuse injuries.
That means we're usually dealing with tissues that have become overloaded rather than something being completely torn or broken.
Treatment often includes:
Dry needling
Shockwave therapy
Joint mobilization
ASTYM
Strengthening
Mobility work
Return-to-play programming
The goal isn't simply getting rid of pain.
The goal is keeping you on the court.
Because nobody wants to spend a Scottsdale winter watching everyone else play pickleball.
The bottom line
Pickleball is an incredible sport and one of the best ways to stay active, social, and healthy.
But like any sport, it places demands on the body.
The key is preparing your body for those demands before pain develops.
At Modern Movement Physical Therapy in Scottsdale, I help pickleball players recover from injuries, improve performance, and stay healthy enough to continue playing the game they love.
Because the best ability is still availability.
And it's a lot more fun to be on the court than sitting on the sidelines.
Take good care of your body, it's the only one you have.
Yours in health,
Dr. Michael Price