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Pickleball has exploded in popularity thanks to its fast pace, social nature, and easy learning curve. It’s a fun way to stay active, connect with others, and enjoy the outdoors. But like any sport that involves quick starts, stops, and pivots, pickleball can place unexpected stress on the body—especially the lower extremities.

At BROC, our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists are seeing a growing number of pickleball-related injuries. While the sport is considered low-impact, the repetitive movements and sudden directional changes can strain the feet, ankles, knees, legs, and hips. Many injuries happen when players jump into the game without proper preparation or push themselves too hard, too quickly.

The most common injuries we see include ankle sprains, knee pain, calf strains, and overuse injuries from playing on hard court surfaces. The good news? Many of these injuries are preventable with a few simple precautions.

Stay safe on the court with these do’s and don’ts:

Do:

• Warm up before every match with light cardio and dynamic stretching
• Wear proper court shoes designed for lateral movement and support
• Ease into play, especially if you’re new or returning after time off
• Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed
• Strengthen your lower body to support joints and improve stability

Don’t:

• Skip your warm-up or jump straight into intense play
• Ignore pain, swelling, or signs of fatigue
• Play through an injury or “tough it out”
• Wear running shoes or worn-out footwear on the court. Running shoes should be avoided due to the risk of ankle injuries from lack of side-to-side stability.
• Overdo it—rest and recovery are just as important as activity

Listening to your body is key. While minor soreness may improve with rest, persistent pain, swelling, or instability could indicate a more serious issue that requires medical attention.

If pickleball is keeping you active, BROC is here to keep you moving. From injury prevention to expert treatment and recovery, our team is ready to help you stay healthy and confident—on and off the court.