This is a great question. Pickleball is gaining popularity and many people are getting into the sport. It attracts people of all ages and fitness levels as it is the type of sport that can be played at different competitive levels. Pickleball is attracting people that are sedentary to get up and start playing. Of course, this is positive in that pickleball is getting people motivated to exercise but it also leads to more injury in people that are not physically equipped to start playing. In addition, pickleball involves going from standing relatively still to quick reactionary motions to get to the ball fast. This has led to a lot of achilles tendon ruptures, ankle sprains, and ankle fractures. If you want to get involved in pickleball, to avoid injury you want to make sure you warm up and stretch after play. In addition to that, you want to work on your overall strength and cardio fitness off the court to help prevent injury on the court.
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Pickleball Injuries- It Might be Time for Physical Therapy!
Pickleball has gained popularity in the past several years. Many people of all ages are jumping into the sport. At the same time, many healthcare providers are seeing an increase in pickleball injuries. These injuries range from foot/ankle injuries, falls, shoulder injuries, Achilles tendinitis, knee injuries, and elbow injuries. The majority of these injuries happen due to the person not having enough muscle strength/endurance as they push their body to play at a higher athletic level.
To avoid a pickleball injury, you want to warm-up before playing and perform appropriate stretches after playing. You also want to make sure you wear appropriate shoes for the sport. There are several sneaker brands that make shoes specific for pickleball. You also want to make sure you don’t go from living a sedentary lifestyle to immediately jumping into the sport. You want to condition your body for the sport. This is where a physical therapist can help you on your pickleball journey.
A physical therapist can perform a thorough evaluation to determine your baseline level of strength and flexibility. Then, your physical therapist can educate you on specific exercises to start performing so you improve your strength and flexibility to decrease your likelihood of injury on the pickleball court.
What is an Ankle Sprain and How is it Treated?
Ankle sprains occur when the ankle rolls, twists, or turns in an abnormal direction. They are often the result of decreased ankle strength and poor ankle stability. Ankle sprains often cause pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. They are typically classified into 3 major categories, which are broken down below.
| Phase | Days Injured (estimated) | Treatment |
| Acute Phase (Protection Phase) | 1 – 4 days | R.I.C.E. (Rest, Elevation, Ice, Compression) |
| Subacute Phase (Controlled Motion Phase) | 5- 21 days | Gentle range of motion, light stretching, and very light strengthening |
| Chronic Phase (Return to Function Phase) | 21+ days | Increased focus on strengthening, end range of motion, and progressing through return to activities/sports |
Note: The severity of the ankle sprain and specific ligaments that are affected may alter the treatment process. Consult with your physician or physical therapist to develop the perfect plan to advance safely and effectively through your rehabilitation.
Playing Golf- Improper Form Leading to Injury
Golf is a strenuous sport on numerous joints throughout the body. This is due to the high impact on the ball, the quick acceleration/deceleration forces associated with swing, the pivot forces on your legs, and the rotational forces on your cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.
Factors that can contribute to golf swing injuries:
• Overuse and over practice
• Poor swing mechanics
• Over swinging
• Improper warm up
• Rotational stresses associated with swing
• Improper set up/grip/club length
• Poor posture
If you continue to have pain while playing golf or are unable to play due to pain, please contact Harbor Physical Therapy for an evaluation. HPT will determine the cause of your discomfort and educate you on how to prevent a re occurrence.