Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and a lot of that growth is happening among adults in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. It's easy to learn, social, and doesn't require the endurance of tennis or the joint-pounding of running. That reputation as a gentle sport is part of why it catches people off guard. The quick stops, side-to-side movement, and sudden lunges for a ball can strain muscles and joints that haven't done that kind of work in years.
Here's what some of the most common pickleball injuries actually feel like, in plain terms. This isn't meant to diagnose what you're dealing with. It's meant to help you recognize when something's worth getting looked at.
Achilles strains and ruptures
The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel, and it takes a lot of the load when you push off quickly or change direction. A strain usually feels like tightness or soreness in the back of your lower leg, especially after quick starts and stops.
The rupture giveaway
A full rupture feels different. People often describe it as feeling like they were kicked or hit in the back of the ankle, sometimes with a pop they can hear or feel. Walking normally afterward is usually difficult, and pushing off on that foot may not work at all. That's not a wait-and-see injury.
Rotator cuff issues
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder. Overhead shots and repeated swinging motions can irritate it over time, or it can happen suddenly with an awkward reach. It usually shows up as an ache in the shoulder, especially when lifting your arm overhead or reaching behind your back, sometimes along with weakness or a catching feeling.
Ankle sprains
Ankle sprains happen when the ankle rolls or twists beyond its normal range, usually from quick direction changes or landing wrong after a shot. A few signs point to something worth having checked out rather than just resting at home:
- Swelling or bruising that's significant, not mild
- Pain that makes it hard to put weight on the ankle
- A feeling that the ankle could give out again
Mild sprains without those signs can often be managed with rest, ice, and support.
Wrist fractures from falls
Falls are one of the more common ways people get hurt playing pickleball, especially when reaching for a low shot or losing balance during a quick pivot. The instinct to catch yourself with an outstretched hand puts a lot of force through the wrist, and a fracture usually causes immediate, sharp pain, swelling, and difficulty gripping with that hand.
Visible deformity or numbness in the fingers are signs to seek care right away rather than waiting to see if it improves.
Knee strain
Pickleball involves a lot of pivoting, lunging, and quick stops, all of which put stress on the knee. Strain can show up as soreness around or behind the kneecap, a feeling of instability, or discomfort that's worse on stairs.
Not every knee ache needs a same-day visit, but a few things do:
- Sudden swelling right after the injury
- A popping sensation at the moment it happened
- A knee that feels like it's going to buckle when you put weight on it
When to seek care
A good general rule: if pain is mild, swelling is minimal, and you can still put weight on the area, rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relief for a few days is often a reasonable place to start.
For sudden, severe injuries, such as a suspected fracture or an Achilles rupture, Adena Urgent Care can evaluate and get you pointed in the right direction, including a referral to orthopedics if needed. For pain that's been building over time or hasn't improved with rest, Adena Sports Medicine can take a closer look and talk through treatment options.
Ready to get back on the court? Call (740) 779-4598 to schedule an evaluation with an Adena Sports Medicine specialist, or visit Adena.org/types-of-care/specialties/sports-medicine to learn more.