Is Pickleball Dangerous? Pickleball Injuries and Prevention.
With the rising popularity of the Pickleball game, more people are interested to know, “Is Pickleball dangerous?”
A short answer will be it depends. It depends on many things to call Pickleball a dangerous sport. Especially it depends on the health and age of the player to call Pickleball playing as dangerous.
Pickleball is one of the most popular sports in the USA and people from all age groups more or less enjoy playing Pickleball in the USA.
However, the sport is very popular among older people. More than half of all serious pickleball players in 2021 were 55 years old and older than 55 years.
This segment of Pickleball players is more vulnerable to some common injuries that are also found in tennis.
So if you are an older person, following injuries may make Pickleball dangerous for you.
Common injuries in Pickleball:
Common injuries are those injuries that may occur regularly or frequently if you are playing Pickleball for a long time.
Besides most of the time, these injuries have less severity and may not end your Pickleball playing forever.
Ankle sprain:
An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle fast and in an awkward way.
Most ankle sprains naturally heal without the need for surgery. And even a completely torn ligament heals with proper rest.
So it is recommended to take proper rest and protect your ankle. These are the initial recommendations for a sprained ankle.
Achilles Tendonitis:
It is a common type of injury that occurs in the large tendon. This injury occurs when the large tendon that goes down to the back of your lower leg becomes irritated and inflamed while you are playing Pickleball for a long time.
And as tendons can’t repair themselves so if you tear your tendon while playing, it will leave a scar.
Even if you make attempts to repair your torn tendon, the tissue will not have the same ability in terms of strength and elasticity.
So be careful not to put too much repetitive strain on the Achilles tendon.
Shoulder Impingement:
This injury, also known as rotator cuff tendonitis, can occur to you when the tendons of the rotator cuff get compressed against the shoulder blade.
Most of the time it results from the overuse of the shoulder very quickly while playing Pickleball.
This injury is very common in athletes and sports persons.
So when you are playing Pickleball for a long time and using too much strength to get power in each shot, this injury can take place.
When it happens, Patients usually experience swelling and tenderness in their shoulders. These injuries cause pain and stiffness when the injured person tries to raise the arm.
It results in a loss of strength or ability to move the hand freely.
Wrist fracture:
A wrist fracture is not a common injury that can happen from moving your hand while playing Pickleball.
This injury occurs when players pall onto an outstretched hand.
So if you are feeling pain in your wrist after a long hour of playing it may not be true that you have fractured your wrist.
A wrist fracture pain will not go within a day, and if you see wrist pain for longer than a day, then it is good advice to meet a doctor and stop using a heavyweight wooden Pickleball paddle.
Pickleball elbow:
It is a common injury that causes pain in the elbow, and it results from overuse of the elbow while playing Pickleball.
Pickleball elbow is like tennis elbow, and just like tennis, if you play Pickleball with improper training and form, this injury may occur.
This injury may cause soreness and ache near the elbow, and it can get worse if you do not take rest.
Heel bruising:
This injury is a slowing-growing injury. Heel bruising can develop slowly over time beneath your foot.
If the fat pad that is beneath your foot heel area feels irritating and looks damaged, then there is a possibility you have developed internal heel bruising.
Over time it can get worse and affect your heel bone and can increase the severity of the problem.
It happens due to repetitive contact and movement on the heel for a long time. So when it happens, it is better to contact a doctor and prevent its growth.
How to avoid Pickleball injuries:
Wear proper shoes:
Wearing proper shoes is very important for playing Pickleball. Wearing proper shoes can reduce the chance of your feet getting injured. It prevents heel bruising too.
And by proper shoes, I meant the best available shoes for the pickleball court and tennis court.
While choosing shoes, make sure it perfectly fits your feet, and it comfortably grips and provides ankle support.
Rubber shoes that have tread patterns underneath can help you to get quick lateral movements.
And don’t forget that shoes have an expiry date too, and you should replace your pickleball shoes after about 60-80 hours of playtime or every four or six months.
Don’t take injuries lightly. Even a small injury can destroy your career or can keep you in bed for months.
Conditioning:
Conditioning can help to improve your strength and endurance and prevent injuries. Besides, it can improve your playing performance on the Pickleball court.
There are many types of exercises you can do regularly to improve in this area.
And your exercise should include different types that enhance balance, mobility, strength, endurance, flexibility, and focus on any object.
Protect your eyes:
Protecting your eyes may not look like that much important task, but when you are playing on an outdoor court, there is a high chance that the ball may hit your eyes at high speed.
It may not get hurt if the ball hits your arms or shoulder, but it can definitely cause a serious issue in your eyes.
Hard Pickleballs can cause serious injuries, including bruising, swelling, or even internal bleeding in the eyes and retinal detachment.
And To protect your eyes from these kinds of damages, it is recommended to use protective eyewear, especially when you are playing in an outdoor Pickleball court.
Hydrate properly:
It is important to remain hydrated throughout the day. It is an essential aspect of everyday life and even when you are playing on the court.
Without hydration, your body will be unable to regulate heat while playing Pickleball. And this will result in tiredness and lack of stamina.
So it is better you ensure you’re drinking enough water before and after your matches. Although water requirements change from person to person, on average, you should at least drink 8 glasses of water daily.
And you should drink more than 8 glasses a day when you are playing Pickleball.
Warm-up:
As exercise enhances your stamina, strength, and overall physical health, warming up before playing
Pickleball can also help you to perform better and reduce the chance of getting injured.
Good stretching before playing can ensure better motion too. You can start with a simple walk.
A simple walk is a really good way of starting your warm-up schedule; besides, it will increase the blood flow throughout your body.
Then after a walk, you can take a quick stretching of your arms and legs. It can help you to reduce your muscle tension and rigidity.
This is how with a basic warm-up, you can reduce the chances of getting injured while playing Pickleball.
What to do when you face the dangers of Pickleball?
Getting injuries while playing is an uncertain thing even with proper precautions, so if you somehow get injured while playing, you can do the following
Gauge the severity of the injury:
If you get injured, you can start measuring the severity of the injury by gauging it at the initial stage.
It can help you understand whether you should rest or you should see a doctor. Besides, it can help you to take accurate measures based on the severity of your injuries.
You will be able to decide whether a scheduled appointment or immediate medical assistance is required.
Do not make any frequent movements:
Some injuries are related to the bones of your body, such as fractures or the breaking of bones.
Although there is less chance of getting your ankle fractured as a precaution, do not make frequent movements if you somehow get hardly hit in bones or muscles.
If you get a bone fracture and move too much, then the fracture can turn into a proper breaking of bones.
So do not move too quickly when you see swelling and feel too much pain in it.
Contact the orthopedic doctor:
Some injuries do not require immediate treatment but can get worse with time, such as heel bruising.
And if those injuries do not require your emergency attention, then you better schedule an appointment with a primary care physician or an orthopedic specialist.
Doctors can professionally determine the extent and severity of your injury, and they can prescribe an effective treatment plan for you to obey.
Follow the treatment:
It is a very common tendency in young adults and even old people that they do not properly follow the treatment prescribed by doctors.
So when you feel that you are totally fine and the injury is totally healed, do not get into delusion and follow the treatment to the very end.
Because injuries may look like they are gone but still can be there.
FAQ on Is Pickleball dangerous?
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Is Pickleball dangerous for baby boomers?
A simple answer is yes. The dangers of Pickleball playing are the chance of getting injuries.
And as the baby boomers are old and their muscles and bones are weaker, they have a high chance of getting injured if they do not follow some basic warm-up and excursive guide. -
What is the most common injury in Pickleball?
The most common injury in Pickleball is an Ankle sprain. It happens when a frequent roll, twist, or turn of your ankle happens.
These kinds of injuries usually get healed without the help of doctors. -
Is Pickleball safer than Tennis?
Pickleball can be side as a lighter version of tennis in which the paddle is less heavy than a tennis racket, the size of the court is also small, and the movement of the player is also slower in this sport. Because of these reasons playing Pickleball is considered safer than tennis.
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How common are Pickleball injuries
How commonly a person can get injured while playing Pickleball depends on many things, such as how experienced a player he is, if he has done warm-up exercises or not, and for how long he is playing Pickleball, etc.
Final Words:
In conclusion, while pickleball, like any sport, carries inherent risks, it can generally be considered a relatively safe and low-impact activity.
With its smaller court size and slower pace compared to sports like tennis or racquetball, pickleball is often perceived as a less dangerous option.
However, as with any physical activity, there is always a potential for injuries, such as sprains or strains, if you do not warm up properly or use incorrect techniques.
By practicing proper safety precautions, maintaining good sportsmanship, and wearing appropriate protective gear, you can mitigate the risks and enjoy the many physical and social benefits that pickleball has to offer.
