COMMON INJURIES IN PICKLEBALL
You’re smart to ask—while pickleball is low-impact, those quick, lateral lunges and sudden stops make it a major injury magnet.
Here are the most common ones to watch out for in 2026:
Lower Body (Most Frequent)
· Ankle Sprains (#1 injury). Rolling your ankle during a quick side-step or stepping on a stray ball. Often happens at the non-volley zone line.
· Achilles Tendonitis / Ruptures. From explosive forward lunges. A sudden pop in the back of your ankle is a red flag—this is increasingly common in older players.
· Knee Pain (Patellar Tendinitis / MCL). Repetitive bending and pivoting can strain the kneecap or ligaments, especially on hard courts.
· Calf Strains. Pushing off hard for a drop shot can overstretch the calf muscle.
Upper Body (Overuse)
· “Pickleball Elbow” (Lateral Epicondylitis). Like tennis elbow, caused by repetitive backhands, poor grip, or paddles that are too heavy.
· Shoulder Impingement / Rotator Cuff. From overhead smashes and deep serves.
· Wrist Strains. Locking your wrist too much or using a paddle with too much torque.
Other Injuries
· Low Back Strain. Hunched posture while bending for low balls.
· Eye Injuries (rare but serious). Getting hit by a hard-drive volley when you’re too close to the net.
Top 3 Prevention Tips:
1. Wear court-specific shoes (like the ones we talked about!) with good lateral support—never running shoes.
2. Warm up dynamically (leg swings, lunges, arm circles) for 5–10 minutes before playing. Static stretching is better after.
3. Learn proper lunge form—keep your chest up and heel down to protect your knees and Achilles.
If you’re feeling any twinges, ice and rest are your best friends. Are you currently dealing with any of these, or just trying to stay ahead of the game?
See your orthopod now.
ZP