Pickleball has taken Canada by storm as the fastest growing sport in the country. Pickleball is easier on our body than most other sports, but, like any other sport, there is always the risk of injury that comes with playing.
Some of the more common injuries seen with pickleball include:
Ankle sprain
Most ankle sprains heal without any need for treatment. Remember the R.I.C.E. principal to heal mild injuries, Rest Ice Compression and Elevation. For the more serious ankle sprains, physiotherapy is indicated to improve your range of motion, reduce swelling, increase the ankle strength and improve balance.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that develops from high impact exercise or repetitive stress to the lower leg. It occurs when the tendon running down the back of the leg becomes irritated or inflamed. Tendons, when injured or torn, create “scar tissue” in an attempt to heal and repair itself leaving the tendon compromised in terms of strength and elasticity. It is important to see a physiotherapist to help regain normal strength and range of motion in the tendon and help avoid further injury.
Shoulder Strain
A common injury to the shoulder seen with Pickleball is rotator cuff tendonitis due to overuse of the shoulder. Symptoms include swelling, tenderness and pain in the front of the shoulder. Stiffness and loss of range of motion when raising the arm along with loss of strength are also common symptoms. Physiotherapy helps with decreasing the inflammation on the tendon, and works on increasing the strength of the rotator cuff muscle group to help avoid reinjury.
Pickleball Elbow/Tennis Elbow
“Pickleball Elbow” is similar to tennis elbow and causes pain when the elbow is overused due to repeated movements of swinging the racquet. This can put ongoing stress on the elbow over time. Pickleball can cause soreness on the outside of the elbow and may be aggravated by gripping movements. It is important to get treatment before it becomes chronic and more difficult to treat.
How to Avoid Pickleball Injuries
- Stretch and warm up your body before you play
- Wear proper court shoes that are comfortable and have rubber soles with a tread pattern conducive to quick lateral movements. Pickleball shoes do have an expiration date, usually they should be replaced after 60 hours of play
- Improve your conditioning. Improving your overall strength and endurance will help prevent injury and improve your overall performance on the court. Choose exercises that include balance, flexibility, strength and endurance
- Avoid wet pickleball courts
- Always communicate with your partner to avoid confusion on the court which may lead to accidents
If you sustain an injury playing Pickleball, contact one of our physiotherapists at the Durham Orthopedic & Sports Injury Clinic at 905-428-7800 to help get you on the road to recovery and back to playing your sport.
