The Pickleball Injury Surge: What Every Player Should Know
Arianna Aaron, DC • August 14, 2025
Pickleball has taken the country by storm. With courts popping up in neighborhoods, clubs, and rec centers across the U.S., it’s no surprise that this fast-paced sport has become a favorite for all age groups. But with rising popularity comes a notable spike in injuries—particularly among older players.
A recent study using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) revealed over 53,000 pickleball-related injuries between 2012 and 2021. While players of all ages are getting hurt, the nature of these injuries—and how to prevent them—varies significantly by age.
Let’s break down what the research says and what you can do to stay safe and strong on the court.
Key Findings: Injury Patterns by Age
The data shows clear differences in how younger and older pickleball players get injured:
Older Players (Ages 65+):
- 83% of all injuries occurred in this age group.
- Most injuries were due to slips, trips, falls, or dives.
- Fractures were the most common injury, especially in the wrist, hip, and shoulder.
- Older players were nearly three times more likely to suffer fractures than younger players.
Younger Players (<65):
- Although younger players made up a smaller percentage of injuries, their injury rate is increasing rapidly.
- More likely to experience strains and sprains, especially to the shoulders, knees, and lower back.
- Injuries were often caused by dynamic movements like lunging, twisting, or stopping suddenly.
Why Are Injuries on the Rise?
Pickleball is deceptively demanding. Its small court size, rapid direction changes, and repetitive swinging motions challenge both joint stability and muscle control. While it offers a great cardiovascular workout, players often underestimate the need for proper warm-up, conditioning, and mobility.
Common Pickleball Injuries We See in Clinic
At our practice, we frequently treat pickleball-related injuries, including:
- Rotator cuff irritation and tears
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Knee ligament strains
- Low back pain and muscle spasms
- Wrist fractures or overuse injuries
- Hamstring and calf strains
Whether you're a recreational weekend player or a competitive tournament regular, these injuries can quickly sideline you.
Prevention Strategies for All Ages
For Older Adults:
- Improve balance and proprioception. Targeted exercises can reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
- Strengthen supporting muscles. Focus on hip and core stability to stay steady during lateral movement.
- Maintain bone health. Talk to your provider about bone density screening and fall prevention strategies.
- Check footwear. Grippy, supportive shoes can reduce fall risk on court surfaces.
For Younger Adults:
- Warm up properly. Dynamic stretches and light cardio help prepare joints and muscles for play.
- Focus on mobility. Tight hips, shoulders, and hamstrings are a recipe for strain injuries.
- Cross-train. Strength training can enhance joint support and reduce stress on connective tissue.
- Don’t play through pain. Early treatment prevents small injuries from becoming chronic issues.
Try These Warm-Up Stretches Before Your Next Match
Start every session with a 5–10 minute warm-up. Here are a few clinic-approved movements:
- Wrist Waves – Loosen the small joints in your forearms and wrists before repetitive swinging.
- Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch – Improves shoulder mobility and prepares the rotator cuff.
- Hip Swings – Activates your hip flexors and hamstrings for better court movement.
- Upper Body Twists with Broomstick – Enhances thoracic spine mobility and rotation.
- Calf and Hamstring Stretches – Reduces the chance of muscle pulls during lunges or sprints.
We recommend pairing these stretches with light resistance or bodyweight exercises to build joint stability over time.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Injured
Pickleball is here to stay, and that’s a good thing. It promotes activity, social connection, and longevity. But if you're dealing with stiffness, joint pain, or a nagging injury that’s affecting your game, don’t ignore it.
At Thrive, we provide:
- Sports chiropractic care
- Soft tissue therapy
- Joint mobilization
- Injury prevention screenings
- Customized exercise programs for pickleball players of all levels
Ready to Stay in the Game?
Don’t let pain keep you off the court. Whether you’re just picking up the paddle or playing competitively, our team can help you move better, recover faster, and prevent future injuries.
Source: Injury surveillance data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), 2021.
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Understanding Shoulder Pain in Active Individuals If you’re an athlete or an active individual who frequently uses your arms overhead, whether you swim, throw, lift, or play volleyball, you might be familiar with shoulder discomfort that doesn't go away. One common issue behind this pain is subacromial impingement syndrome , a condition where tendons in the shoulder become irritated and inflamed due to repeated overhead movement. But what many people don’t realize is that shoulder pain like this often begins with the shoulder blade , also called the scapula . What Is Scapular Dyskinesis? Your scapula plays a critical role in healthy shoulder movement. It acts as a stable base and guide for your arm. When it doesn't move properly, a condition known as scapular dyskinesis, the shoulder joint becomes overworked, leading to pain, weakness, and eventually injury. Common signs of scapular dyskinesis include: Shoulder pain during or after activity A visible "winging" of the shoulder blade Weakness or limited range of motion when lifting the arm A feeling of instability or “catching” during movement New Research Supports a Better Way to Treat Shoulder Pain A recent clinical study looked at young overhead athletes who had subacromial impingement. Researchers compared two treatment programs: Standard therapy, which included stretching, strengthening, and manual techniques. Scapular-focused therapy, which included all the above, plus exercises to specifically retrain and strengthen the shoulder blade muscles. The results were clear: athletes in the scapular-focused group had less pain, better shoulder function, and faster recovery than those who received standard treatment alone. What This Means for You If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, especially during or after sports or exercise, it’s not just about treating the sore spot. It’s about understanding the bigger picture, how your shoulder blade moves, how strong those supporting muscles are, and whether your body is compensating in ways that cause stress or inflammation. At Thrive, we offer evidence-based, individualized care that includes scapular assessment and targeted rehabilitation. Our goal is to not only relieve your current pain, but also correct the underlying mechanics to help you stay active long-term. What to Expect from Treatment When you visit us with shoulder pain, your treatment plan may include: A full evaluation of your shoulder and scapular movement Mobilization techniques to restore motion Exercises to retrain your shoulder blade muscles for stability and control Education on how to move safely and prevent future injury Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or simply someone who enjoys staying active, understanding the role of your scapula can be the missing link to lasting shoulder health. If you need shoulder pain relief, come see us or visit our website at www.thrivesportsandspine.info .
Keywords: cervical instability, cervical myelopathy, neck pain, facet joint degeneration, neck curve, spinal cord compression, Thrive Sports & Spine, chiropractic care
Keywords: hip pain, gluteus minimus tendinosis, hip tendon injury, hip pain treatment, chiropractic care for hip, physical therapy, sports injury, Thrive Sports & Spine, hip physical therapy, side hip pain
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