Pickleball Injuries: Why They Happen and How to Stay on the Court
Pickleball courts across Winter Park and Orlando are busier than ever, and it is easy to see why. It is social, approachable, and easy to pick up regardless of your fitness background. But as more people pick up a paddle, more people are also showing up to Physical Therapy with pickleball-related injuries. If you have started noticing pain in your elbow, shoulder, knee, or Achilles after playing, you are far from alone.
Why Are Pickleball Injuries So Common?
Pickleball looks low impact from the sidelines, but the actual demands on your body are significant. Quick stops, sudden direction changes, lateral lunges to reach a wide shot, and explosive pushes off the line all require strength, mobility, and control that many players have not used in years.
Many people come to pickleball after a long period of lower activity or after years of playing a different sport with very different movement demands. Tendons, muscles, and joints that have not been asked to move this way recently are suddenly being asked to do so two or three times a week, often for several hours at a time. That sudden increase in demand is one of the biggest drivers of pickleball injuries.
The Most Common Pickleball Injuries
Some injuries show up far more often than others on the pickleball court. The most common include:
Pickleball elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow, caused by repetitive gripping and the jarring impact of paddle on ball
Achilles tendon strains and, in more serious cases, ruptures, often from explosive pushes and quick stops
Knee pain from repeated lateral movement, pivoting, and lunging
Shoulder and rotator cuff irritation from overhead shots and serving motions
Ankle sprains from rapid direction changes and uneven court surfaces
Each of these has its own specific causes, but they share a common thread. In most cases, the injury is not caused by one bad shot or one wrong step. It is the result of tissue being asked to handle more load, more often, or in a different pattern than it has been prepared for.
Why These Injuries Often Catch Active Adults Off Guard
A lot of the people we see for pickleball injuries describe themselves as active. They walk, they go to the gym, they stay on their feet most of the day. The issue is not a lack of general fitness. The issue is that pickleball asks the body to move in ways that general fitness routines often do not include, particularly fast lateral movement, quick deceleration, and rotational power.
This is not about age. It is about preparation. A 35 year old who has not done explosive lateral movement in years is just as susceptible to a pickleball injury as a 65 year old in the same situation. The good news is that this also means these injuries are largely preventable with the right preparation.
Can Physical Therapy Help Prevent Pickleball Injuries?
Yes. A movement assessment can identify the specific strength, mobility, and control deficits that put you at the greatest risk on the court, before they turn into an injury that sidelines you.
For pickleball players, this often means looking closely at hip and ankle strength and control, shoulder mobility and stability, and how well your body tolerates quick changes of direction. Addressing these areas proactively through a targeted strength and mobility program can significantly reduce your injury risk while also improving how you move and feel on the court.
What to Do If You Are Already Dealing With Pickleball-Related Pain
If you are already dealing with elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle, or Achilles pain from pickleball, the most important thing is not to ignore it and hope it resolves on its own. Many of these issues respond very well to treatment when addressed early, and tend to become more stubborn and more limiting the longer they are left unaddressed.
At Cross the Line Physical Therapy and Performance, treatment for pickleball injuries often includes a combination of manual therapy, Dry Needling for muscle tightness and trigger points, and Blood Flow Restriction Training for tendon injuries like pickleball elbow or Achilles issues where heavy loading is not yet appropriate. Most importantly, treatment addresses the underlying strength and movement deficits that led to the injury in the first place, so the same problem does not keep coming back.
Getting Back on the Court Stronger
Whether you are dealing with a current pickleball injury or want to make sure you stay off the sidelines this season, a Physical Therapy Evaluation with a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist can give you a clear picture of where you stand and what to do about it.
Call, text, or fill out our contact form to schedule an evaluation at Cross the Line Physical Therapy and Performance in Winter Park, FL.
