Pickleball Injuries on the Rise How to Avoid Them

By Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida

Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the United States with more than 5 million players across the country. It has been billed as a more accessible and a less intense tennis alternative, but experts say the popular pastime is still leading to a rash of injuries amongst the senior set. “Obsessed” retirees are playing several hours per day, leading to overuse injuries. This older demographic is also more likely to have weak bones, putting them at a greater risk for fractures.

A hybrid between badminton and tennis, pickleball originated in 1965 with three friends on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. But during the pandemic, its popularity soared, especially among athletic elders. Last month, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association reported that the trendy pastime has seen a massive 39.3% jump in the last two years, making it the fastest growing sport in the US. Competitive leagues have sprung up nationally.1

Shoulder problems are more common in pickleball than in any other sport. The most common pickleball injury is a problem with the rotator cuff tendon in the shoulder, which can cause shoulder pain, especially with movement and use. The problems can range from tendonitis and bursitis to a tear of the rotator cuff tendon, and bigger tears can create weakness and inability to use your arm.

Although some rotator cuff tears occur as a consequence of an accident or injury, for many people rotator cuff damage appears over time. Most adults who use their shoulders are at risk for damaging or tearing their rotator cuff tendon. Reaching overhead while playing a racket sport like pickleball requires a lot of force being generated by the rotator cuff tendon that can worsen or exacerbate rotator cuff injuries.

Although rotator cuff tears are not preventable, the shoulder performs better when it is flexible and strong, so make sure to stretch and do light to moderate strengthening to maintain the health of the shoulder.

Surgery is the only solution to treat a torn rotator cuff. Some opt out of the surgery and choose to live with it, but it can be painful and limit movement. If you are an active person, maintaining that same level of activity with a torn rotator cuff is difficult. Small tears may not bother some as much, but as the tear enlarges, it becomes harder to successfully operate. Small tears might not cause many symptoms, but they are persistent and the tear can become massive.

While a torn rotator cuff tendon is the most common, pickleball and racket sports can cause additional injuries, including:
• Meniscus tears
• Tendon ruptures
• Aggravation of arthritic knees

To prevent additional injuries, warm up and ice down after pickleball. A warmup should generate a light sweat, such as a brisk walk, jog or cycling. Stretch your shoulders, lower back, leg muscles and joints to try to get them as flexible as possible. If you feel achiness or soreness on any body part, put a bag of ice on it for 20 minutes to help it recover completely before playing again. You can also take over-the-counter pain relief medications. If the pain persists for more than a few days, see a trained professional.

Consider the following safety tips when playing pickleball:
• Be aware of your playing area and any obstacles that might cause a hazard.
• Avoid backpedaling on the pickleball court to avoid backward falls.
• Stretch and warm up before you play.
• Wear proper court shoes and eye protection. Use appropriate equipment.
• Listen to your body and give it time to rest.
• Communicate with your partner to avoid confusion.
• Improve your balance and learn to fall without injury.
• Do not play on a wet court.
• Work with a professional to improve your fundamentals.
• Have an emergency plan in case of injury on the court.

Thankfully, most pickleball injuries are overuse injuries and can be treated with non-surgical measures such as ice, anti-inflammatory medicines, and rest. If an injury is more serious, it should be treated quickly. Prompt treatment can minimize long-term damage. Visiting an orthopedic specialist who has experience in treating sports injuries will result in accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of your condition.

Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida strives to provide exceptional quality of care to patients with musculoskeletal needs. Our staff of fellowship-trained physicians remains at the forefront of orthopedic medicine, and serves as an educational resource for the Southwest Florida community.

Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida
239-334-7000 | www.osswf.com
2531 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 1
Fort Myers, FL 33901