By Morgan Kacalek
Over the last few years, pickleball has become America’s new favorite sport. According to NBC news, the number of pickleball players has increased from 4.8 million to 8.9 million from the year 2021 to 2023. Author Khalid Yousuf says, “Pickleball is considered the fastest-growing recreational sport in the U.S. since 2019, and quite possibly in the world.”
Pickleball is a game played on a badminton-sized court with a net that involves players using small paddles and hitting a plastic ball with holes in it in a tennis-like manner. The sport can be played on a tennis court and typically requires two teams of two players. The rules of pickleball are very similar to the game of ping-pong, which contributes to its growing popularity among people of all ages because the rules are so simple and easy to learn.
Due to the increase in pickleball players across the nation, doctors have reported a spike in pickleball-related bone and muscle injuries. According to information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), “Bone fractures related to pickleball have increased 200% over the last 20 years.” Bone fractures are among the most common injuries related to playing pickleball along with muscle/ligament tears. These injuries specifically include soft tissue injuries like sprained ankles or debilitating knee injuries such as damage to the ACL. Author Linda Carroll from NBC News also reports that, “Other common pickleball injuries include rotator cuff injuries, worsening of arthritis, achilles tendon tears/strains and foot fractures.” It has also been confirmed that 92% of these injuries have been caused by a fall.
Yousuf declares that, “According to a recent study of pickleball related injuries in the ER, 90% of the injuries affected people aged 50 and older and approximately half were either sprains or fractures.” While pickleball’s popularity has increased among people of all ages, it seems that most serious injuries are far more common among older generations. In an article written by Don Rauf, discussing pickleball injuries, he cites a study done by the AAOS that explains, “more than 87% of those who sustained a fracture were age 60 or older.” In the same article, director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sports Medicine at Stanford University in California, Michael Fredricson, says, “In this older population, your bones are not as strong as when you were younger — they are starting to thin,” when discussing why we are seeing more injuries in people who are older.
While people over 50 years old may be at a higher risk for injuries that come with playing pickleball, young adults are still at risk as well, and it is important to know how to prevent these injuries from happening. Schools all over the country have even implemented pickleball into physical education classes which proves the importance of young kids and teens knowing how to protect themselves against getting hurt while playing the sport.
Experts explain that one easy way to prevent muscle injuries is simply by stretching. Doing some stretches before you begin playing can help your muscles loosen up so they will be less likely to tear when strained. Another thing doctors recommend is making sure you have the right kind of shoes. Because most serious injuries happen after falls, it is important to make sure that you are wearing court shoes, or other shoes that are safe to wear on an outdoor court. Other things that could help prevent falls include clearing the court before you play, or making sure there is no debris like rocks, sticks, or glass that could cause you to trip and fall. The last tip that experts emphasize is hydration. Staying hydrated can prevent heat stroke and dizziness that can lead to more serious injuries.
Pickleball can be a great sport to play on a sunny day with friends and family, and is a great way to stay active while having fun. While this sport can be a great experience, it is important to stay informed and know the risks of getting hurt and how you can prevent injuries that are commonly associated with pickleball.
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