Common Pickleball Injuries and How to Prevent Them

At LaserTech Pain and Back Relief, we are committed to providing a comprehensive guide on pickleball injuries and equipping players with the knowledge and tools to enjoy the game while minimizing the risk of setbacks. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the court, our goal is to foster a community that prioritizes health and wellness in the pursuit of pickleball excellence. Read on to learn all about the most common pickleball injuries, how to prevent them, and when it may be a good idea to see a pain doctor if you have become injured while playing pickleball.

Common Pickleball Injuries

• Back injury
• Shoulder injury
• Tennis elbow on outside of elbow
• Sprained ankle and Achilles injury
• Knee strains
• Hamstring injuries
• Wrist strains

How to Prevent Pickleball Injuries

Like most sports, preventing pickleball injuries is all about first warming up and then performing stretches before and after hitting the court. Here are a few warm up exercises and stretches we recommend to minimize the risk of sustaining a pickleball injury.

• Jog in place
• Butt kickers and high knee exercises
• Side steps
• Hamstring (straight leg) kicks
• Lunges
• Arm circles and swings
• Wall push-ups and sumo (toes out) squats
• Wrist curls and stretches
• Trunk rotations- on back, knees bent let knees drop to each side gently
• Generally stretch tight muscles after activity

When Should I See a Pain Doctor for My Pickleball Injury?

If your pain becomes severe or you suspect a fracture, it’s always best to see a doctor. Likewise, if pain from a pickleball injury persists after a few days or weeks, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Pickleball is a great way to stay in shape and enjoy physical activities, but injuries can be common and if left untreated result in chronic pain.

Do your warm-ups before and stretches afterwards. Then get treatment, like we have here at LaserTech, to resolve any damage, if you want to do what you can to keep in the game.