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Calling All Pickleball Athletes: These 5 Injuries Are Common—Here’s How to Beat Them
Pickleball might look low-impact at first glance
but regular players know better.
The quick bursts, lateral cuts, and explosive reactions are tough on the body. And with pickleball now one of the fastest-growing sports among active adults and competitive athletes, we’re seeing more players walk (or hobble) into UNITE.rehab.perform with a familiar set of injuries.
Here’s the good news: these injuries are not just treatable—they’re preventable. With proactive movement screening, personalized sports physical therapy, and smart recovery strategies, you can stay pain-free and on the court for years to come.
Below are the top 5 most common pickleball injuries we treat—and how we help athletes like you bounce back stronger than ever.
1. Pickleball Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Much like tennis elbow, “pickleball elbow” results from repetitive stress on the wrist and forearm tendons. It’s common in players with poor swing mechanics, limited mobility, or who ramp up too quickly without proper conditioning.
How We Fix It at UNITE:
- – Movement screening to pinpoint faulty swing mechanics
- – Manual therapy to reduce inflammation and improve tissue mobility
- – Targeted strength programming to rebuild tendon tolerance
- – A customized plan that reduces pain and improves performance—so you can swing stronger, longer.
2. Achilles Tendonitis
Pickleball’s stop-start nature—short sprints, lunges, and direction changes—puts major strain on the Achilles tendon. Left unchecked, this can lead to chronic tightness, reduced power, or even partial tears.
Why It Happens:
- – Limited ankle mobility
- – Poor calf strength or endurance
- – Weak glutes or hamstrings forcing compensation
- – Overloading patterns during explosive movements
Our Approach at UNITE:
- – In-depth gait and movement analysis
- – Strength testing across the kinetic chain (glutes, hamstrings, calves)
- – Progressive load management to strengthen the tendon safely
- – Restoration of balance between mobility, strength, and tendon resilience
3. Knee Pain (Patellofemoral Syndrome or Meniscus Strain)
Sharp lateral movements and lunges stress the knees—especially if there are glute imbalances, quad-dominance, or poor landing mechanics. Knee pain is common in pickleball athletes, but it’s rarely just a “knee” problem.
Why UNITE is Different:
- – We don’t treat symptoms in isolation—we treat movement dysfunction
- – Our team evaluates everything from hip control to foot alignment
- – We use strength coaching and sports performance training to reduce stress and improve your mechanics long-term
4. Low Back Strain
Pickleball demands more than legwork—there’s rotation, lunging, overhead reach. If you’re sitting at a desk all day or lacking core stability, your low back takes the hit.
Who’s Most at Risk?
- – Desk-bound athletes with limited hip mobility
- – Players without proper rotational strength or spinal control
How We Help:
- – Full-body performance movement screens
- – Core and hip stability training to reduce compensation
- – Corrective loading strategies to build a stronger, more resilient spine
- – Bonus? You’ll feel better in everyday life too—not just on the court
5. Ankle Sprains
A sudden pivot or misstep? Classic setup for a lateral ankle sprain—the most common acute pickleball injury.
How We Prevent Re-Injury:
- – Focused neuromuscular training to improve reaction time and joint control
- – Balance and proprioception drills to stabilize the ankle under load
- – Corrective movement patterns that restore trust in your body
Why Movement Screening Matters
Most injuries don’t come from a single incident—they come from movement patterns that break down over time. That’s why we use full-body athlete movement screens at UNITE.rehab.perform. We identify the root causes before they sideline you.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete or weekend warrior, movement is your secret weapon.
Future-Proof Your Pickleball Game
At UNITE.rehab.perform, we specialize in sports physical therapy and athlete recovery for people who want to stay active, competitive, and injury-free for the long haul. From equestrians and lifters to tennis and pickleball players, we help build stronger, smarter bodies.
Don’t wait for injury to force you off the court. Let’s assess your movement, sharpen your performance, and keep you competing at your best.