The Fall That Changes Everything: Fractures
In my experience, nothing changes a player's relationship with pickleball quite like a fracture. They account for 27% of all pickleball injuries, and I've seen enough of them to spot the pattern.
Last week, I treated a 58-year-old woman who'd been playing for two years without incident. She was rushing to the net for what looked like an easy put-away when her feet got tangled. The result? A wrist fracture that kept her off the court for three months.
The most common fractures I see are:
- Wrist fractures (29% of all fractures) - usually from trying to break a fall
- Lower arm fractures (16%) - often from awkward landings
- Lower trunk fractures (16%) - typically from backward falls
Here's what the data doesn't tell you: 92% of fractures happen during falls, but most of these falls are completely preventable with better awareness and technique.
The Twist That Sidelines You: Sprains
Sprains tie with fractures at 27% of all injuries, and honestly, they can be just as frustrating. I've watched players dismiss a "minor" ankle sprain only to deal with chronic instability months later.
The ankle sprains usually happen during those lightning-quick directional changes that make pickleball so addictive. Your mind says "go," but your ankle says "not so fast."
The Slow Burn: Overuse Injuries
These are the injuries that sneak up on you. You don't crash to the ground; you just notice things gradually getting worse.
Pickleball Elbow has become my specialty by accident. I see it so often that I've developed a specific treatment protocol. It's essentially tennis elbow's cousin, but with some unique characteristics related to the pickleball grip and swing mechanics.
Rotator Cuff Issues are particularly common among players who've ramped up their game intensity too quickly. The overhead shots and aggressive serves can overload these small but crucial muscles.
What I've noticed is that players often ignore the early warning signs—that nagging ache after play, the stiffness in the morning—until it becomes debilitating.
The Ones That Catch Everyone Off Guard
Achilles problems surprise players because pickleball doesn't seem like a jumping sport. But all those quick pivots and direction changes put more stress on this tendon than most people realize.
Lower back strains are often the result of poor posture during play, something I see especially in players transitioning from recreational to more competitive levels.
