Pickleball Injuries are Rising Fast - Here's How to Avoid Them

Fort Collins, we need to talk about pickleball.

I love it, you love it, your retired neighbor loves it... so much in fact that they now have VERY strong opinions about kitchen violations and play six days a week.

Pickleball is exploding, and so are pickleball injuries.

A recent JAMA report found pickleball injuries increased 7-fold over six years, far outpacing the growth of the sport itself.

At Renovo Physical Therapy and Wellness, we’re seeing it firsthand with active adults and retirees alike throughout Fort Collins.

So what’s getting hurt most often?

• shoulder and elbow tendinitis

• Achilles irritation

• ankle and knee sprains

• muscle strains

• falls and fractures

  
  

A recent study found 78% of pickleball injuries were overuse injuries, with the knees, shoulders, and elbows taking the biggest hit. Beginners were also more likely to get injured than experienced players.

The good news?

Most of these injuries are preventable.

Here’s How to Stay on the Court Longer

Get a movement screen

A physical therapist can evaluate your mobility, strength, balance, and movement limitations before they become injuries.

Think of it as a preseason tune-up for your body.

Wear actual court shoes

Your running shoes were not built for quick lateral movement.

Neither were your lawn-mowing sneakers.

Warm up before you play

Your Achilles tendon would really appreciate this one.

A few minutes of mobility and dynamic movement can go a long way.

Build strength off the court

Strong hips, legs, rotator cuffs, tendons, and balance systems matter — especially for injury prevention and reducing fall risk.

Don’t go from zero to 100!

This is a main offender for sure, likely the biggest one, and so preventable!

Gradual progression is one of the most effective injury prevention strategies you have.

Too often, people wait until the pain becomes severe enough to force them off the court for weeks or months.

That’s where physical therapy can make a huge difference.

Whether you’re already injured or simply want to stay ahead of problems before they derail your season, a movement assessment can help identify mobility restrictions, strength deficits, balance limitations, and movement patterns that may be increasing stress on your body during play; and a strength training program off the court can ensure your body is prepared for as much pickleball as you can manage!

Want to Keep Playing Without Paying for It Later?

Renovo Physical Therapy and Wellness provides one-on-one, cash-pay physical therapy for active adults and pickleball players in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. Don't wait until you are hurt to book! Come see us for a movement screen and/or a tailored strength program to bulletproof your body so you can stay on the court all season.

Book an evaluation with us today.