Pickleball Injuries-What to do for Knee Pain and Arthritis?

Pickleball is getting more popular, especially with older adults. This sport has led to more injuries. Players face issues like shoulder strains, tennis elbow, ankle sprains, and wrist fractures. Knee health is a big concern for pickleball players.

If you love pickleball or are just starting, knowing about knee pain and arthritis is key. We'll look at the sport's demands, common knee injuries, and how shockwave therapy can help. This therapy is a non-surgical way to manage knee pain and arthritis.

Don’t let knee pain sideline your pickleball game! Whether you're a seasoned player or just picking up a paddle, knee pain and arthritis can sneak up fast. The good news? You don’t have to endure the discomfort. Discover the best strategies to alleviate pain, protect your joints, and keep enjoying the game you love. It’s time to reclaim your court time – pain-free and stronger than ever. The fastest growing treatment, most preferred by doctors and patients, is non-surgical shockwave therapy for knee pain. Check your local area to find a reputable provider to get you back to your pickleball league and dinking the ball with no knee pain.

Key Takeaways

Pickleball, while considered a low-impact sport, still poses risks of injuries, particularly to the knees. The repetitive lunging causes significant wear and tear on the knee joint, patellar tendon and the meniscus.
Common knee injuries in pickleball include meniscal tears, ligament strains, patellar tendinitis and osteoarthritis.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-surgical treatment option that can help alleviate knee pain and facilitate healing. This non-invasive therapy uses high energy sound waves to stimulate a natural, healing response to help with knee conditions.
Proper warm-up, strengthening exercises, and modifications to play style can help reduce the risk of knee injuries in pickleball.
Arthritis management is crucial for older adults who wish to continue enjoying the health benefits and social aspects of pickleball. Active people over age 50 are seeing a higher incidence of osteoarthritis, this can be managed with the right therapy and preventative measures.

The Popularity of Pickleball Among Older Adults

Pickleball is now a hit with older adults, with 52% of players over 55 and 32.7% over 65. It's loved for its mix of fun, skill-building, and social benefits. Plus, it's great for health.

Pickleball's Attractiveness for Older Adults

Pickleball is a great way for older folks to stay active and make friends. It's easy to learn, has a small court, and uses light paddles. Plus, it's all about friendly competition and teamwork, building a strong community.

Health Benefits of Playing Pickleball

Improved cardiovascular fitness: Pickleball's active play boosts heart health and endurance.
Better joint health: It's tough on the joints of the feet, hips, low back and knees; it gives these joints a great workout but you have to be careful of the wear and tear.
Enhanced balance and coordination: Quick moves in pickleball improve balance and reduce fall risks. As we age, a big problem is balance; we never work on balance exercises enough; pickleball definitely helps with this.

Pickleball is gaining fans among older adults for its fun, social, and health perks. It's a great way for them to stay fit, make friends, and keep their minds and bodies sharp.

Pickleball Player Demographics	Percentage
Players aged 55 or older	52%
Players aged 65 or older	32.7%

Is Pickleball a Low-Impact Sport?

Pickleball is seen as a sport with less impact than tennis. Its smaller court and lighter gear make it easier on the body. Yet, players must move and change direction, which can still strain the knees and other joints. It seems like there are not as many injuries in tennis as there are in pickleball. With pickleball the court is smaller so you don't have to run as much; but you are constantly lunging with quick starts and stops; because of this it is really straining to the plantar fascia, the Achilles tendon, the calves and the knee joints.

Physical Demands of Pickleball

Pickleball doesn't ask as much from players as tennis does, but it still needs agility and good mobility. Moving side to side, stopping quickly, and changing direction can lead to injuries. It's key to use proper technique, warm up, and do strength exercises to avoid these injuries.

Running and Mobility Requirements

To play well in pickleball, players must move fast and cover the court. Even though the court is smaller than a tennis court, players need good running and mobility skills. Backward running and lunging, a common move in pickleball, can be tough and increase the risk of ankle and Achilles tendon injuries.

To play pickleball safely and have fun, players should work on their fitness, flexibility, and their mobility. Getting advice from a physiotherapist, chiropractors or sports medicine doctors can help make a personalized plan to prevent injuries and enjoy the game. Let’s face it, most people playing pickleball are addicted; they are playing 4-5 times a week and just the thought of not playing is miserable.

Pickleball Injury	Causes	Prevention Strategies
Ankle Sprain	Lateral movements, sharp turns	Proper footwear, ankle strengthening exercises
Elbow Tendonitis ("Pickleball Elbow")	Overuse of forearm tendons	Proper grip, strengthening exercises, rest periods
Shoulder Strain	Repetitive overhead and lateral swinging	Warm-up, shoulder mobility and strengthening exercises
Knee Injury	Quick movements, changes in direction	Proper form, strength training, knee bracing
Wrist Sprain	Overuse, falls	Proper form, wrist strengthening exercises, use of wrist guards
Low Back Pain	Repetitive reaching, bending, twisting	Core strengthening, proper posture, stretching
Calf Strain/Achilles Tendonitis	Overstretching during running and jumping	Calf strengthening, proper warm-up, footwear selection

Even though pickleball is seen as a low-impact sport, players should still pay attention to its physical demands and injury risks. By focusing on proper technique, strength training, and flexibility, players can enjoy the game while reducing the risk of common injuries like knee pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, meniscus injury and pickleball elbow.

Knee Pain and Pickleball: Risks and Common Injuries

Pickleball is a sport that can be tough on your knees, especially for older players or those with joint problems. Knee pain, arthritis and injuries are common among pickleball players. Knowing the risks and common knee issues can help you protect your joints and play the game safely.

Is Pickleball Hard on Your Knees?

Pickleball's fast movements, sudden stops, and side steps can stress your knees, including your patellar tendon, meniscus and collateral ligaments. The sport's repetitive nature, along with the need for pivoting and lunging, can make existing knee problems worse or cause new ones like knee sprains and medial meniscus injuries. It's important to use proper technique, warm up, and do strength exercises to lessen the impact on your knees.

Common Knee Injuries in Pickleball

Knee Sprains: Sudden changes in direction or awkward landings can hurt ligaments, leading to swelling, pain, and instability. The repetitive lunging causes a strain to the quadriceps muscles, the hamstrings, the patellar tendon and collateral ligaments. These can all give pain, swelling, weakness and even instability of the knee.
Meniscus Tears: The shock-absorbing cartilage in the knee can tear from sudden twists or impacts, causing sharp pain and trouble straightening the leg. Meniscus injuries happen in pickleball because of the compression and twisting of the knee when bending and lunging. This cartilage wears down over time; when injured it can cause a lot of pain and swelling in the knee. Shockwave therapy for knee pain and meniscus tears, helps to regenerate and repair the tissues. Occasionally if the meniscus tear is causing too much discomfort, they can do orthoscopic surgery to shave off the damaged cartilage.
Osteoarthritis Flare-ups: Pickleball can make existing knee osteoarthritis worse, leading to more joint pain, stiffness, and less mobility. Osteoarthritis is pickleball players over age 50 is very common. It is important to take the right preventative measure to strengthen and stabilize the knee as well as taking joint healing supplements like Glucosamine Sulphate, fish oil and magnesium. Shockwave therapy for osteoarthritis helps to reduce inflammation creating a healing environment for this type of knee injury.

Knowing about these common knee issues and how to prevent them can help improve your pickleball longevity; being able to play the game you love as you get older.

Shockwave Therapy for Knee Pain

If you love pickleball, keeping your knees strong and stable is key. The sport is great but can stress your joints, causing stress and pain in your knees. Luckily, shockwave therapy is a non-surgical way to ease your knee pain and help heal and repair those damaged tissues.

Shockwave therapy for knee pain, or ESWT, is a top choice for treating knee injuries among doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists. It uses sound waves to kickstart healing and target pain sources like the meniscus, patellar tendon, collateral ligaments and joint arthritis. This method is non-invasive, effective and there is little to no down time. Studies show shockwave therapy helps with knee pain and improves mobility, perfect for pickleball players. A trial found it reduced pain and improved knees with osteoarthritis. It also helped with bone marrow edema in the knee. ESWT helps boost blood flow to the area and at the same time reduces inflammation; this creates a perfect environment for healing.

This therapy boosts the healing of cartilage cells by bringing in more blood flow, oxygen and stem cells in the area. It's a great option for knee issues like osteoarthritis, tendinitis, and bursitis. It helps keep your cartilage healthy.

Many people feel much better after a few sessions, which are short and usually don't hurt. It's safer than surgery and works well with few side effects. We recommend an initial shockwave therapy protocol of 10 visits over a 6–8-week period of time. Tissues take about 6-8 weeks to heal, says Dr. Hamel, of Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness, he provides shockwave therapy to the north Houston area. We want to promote everything that compliments shockwave therapy like corrective exercises, the proper nutritional supplements and proper rest. Dr. Hamel is an avid pickleballer; he knows how much people love this sport and how they do not want to be sidelined for very long. Take care of yourself, make sure to allow enough time for proper healing and most pickleballers can get back to having fun and playing leagues in 6-8 weeks.

If knee pain is holding you back from playing pickleball, consider shockwave therapy. This is a relatively new, cutting edge, technology that has changed natural healing and repair. We used to see 3 months or more of active physical therapy or chiropractic care to try and get knees better. Now with shockwave therapy for knee pain; we are seeing consistent healing and repair within 8 weeks; these pickleball players returning to their sport feeling better than ever.

Condition	Effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy
Knee Osteoarthritis	Studies show it helps with knee pain and improves function in osteoarthritis.
Patellar Tendinitis	It's effective for treating pain and inflammation in patellar tendinitis, common in pickleball players.
Bursitis	It reduces pain and swelling from bursitis, a knee condition.
Runner's Knee	It helps manage pain and improve knee function in runner's knee.

"Shockwave therapy has been a game-changer for my knee pain. After just a few sessions, I experienced significant relief and was able to get back on the pickleball court without worrying about my joint discomfort."

Playing Pickleball After Knee Replacement Surgery

Pickleball is a great sport for older adults, but sometimes knee injuries are too far gone for more conservative treatments. Many people come in to our office, says Dr. Hamel, asking for shockwave therapy so they do not have to get knee replacement. It is a major undertaking and take at least 6 months to be strong and active again in pickleball.

Recovery Timeline for Knee Replacement

The recovery after knee replacement surgery has a set timeline:

Initial Recovery (0-6 weeks): You'll work on getting your knee moving, strong, and mobile. This includes physical therapy, chiropractic care and starting with easy activities.
Intermediate Recovery (6-12 weeks): As your knee heals, you can do more physical activities. This includes walking and cycling on a stationary bike.
Advanced Recovery (3-6 months): By now, you might be ready for more active sports like pickleball. Always check with your doctor first and follow their advice. Ease back in to pickleball because it puts a lot of stress on the knee, start by playing doubles or skinny singles.

When you can start playing pickleball again depends on how well you recover and what your doctor says. Be patient, listen to your body, and work with your physical therapist or chiropractor. This ensures a safe and successful return to the sport. To successfully return to pickleball after knee replacement, focus on your recovery and listen to your doctor. Some patients can get back on the court as early as 3 months while others take up to 1 year to feel comfortable enough. The key to getting back on the pickleball court is to start slow and easy; see how you feel during and after playing; do you still have pain or swelling afterwards? Slow and steady wins the race; do not overdo it and risk re-injuring your knee by playing pickleball every day or for hours at a time.

Warming Up for Pickleball to Prevent Knee Injuries

As a pickleball enthusiast, it's key to warm up before playing to prevent knee injuries. A good warm-up gets your muscles, joints, and ligaments ready for the sport. This reduces the chance of knee pain and injuries. A mix of dynamic and static stretches makes up a great warm-up for pickleball. Dynamic stretches involve moving like you will on the court. They boost blood flow, make joints slippery, and wake up the muscles you'll use. Always warm up the entire chain; so, for your knee you want to make sure to warm up your hips, low back and ankles; they are all part of one big chain.

Examples of dynamic stretches for pickleball include leg swings, calf stretches, calf raises, piriformis stretching, knee hugs, and lateral shuffles.
These exercises get your body ready for the fast starts, stops, and side movements in the game. You will do a lot of lunging and quick starts and stops in pickleball so you have to get your body prepared.

Static stretches also play a big part in your warm-up. They stretch and relax muscles, making you more flexible and moving better. This is especially good for the muscles around your knee, like the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves.

Try holding static stretches for big muscle groups, like calf raises, quadriceps stretches, and hamstring stretches, for 20-30 seconds each.
Always focus on doing stretches and exercises with the right technique to avoid injury.

By using both dynamic and static stretches in your warm-up, you're getting your body ready for pickleball. This simple step can greatly lower the risk of knee injuries. It helps you stay on the court and play your best. By taking even 5 minutes to warm up before starting your pickleball match; you can prevent serious injuries from happening.

Arthritis and Pickleball: Managing Joint Pain

Pickleball is a fun sport for older adults, combining fun and social activities. But it can be tough for those with arthritis. This condition causes joint pain especially when you are running and lunging constantly like when playing pickleball.

Impact of Arthritis on Pickleball Performance

Arthritis makes quick moves, sudden stops, and repetitive actions hard in pickleball. It causes pain and stiffness in the joints. This can limit how well you move, hit shots, and stay on the court. Many knee pain patients seeking out shockwave therapy for knee pain have already been to an orthopedic doctor, they have taken x-rays which show osteoarthritis in the knee. Osteoarthritis affects the knee joint itself so often times the patients is feeling consistent pain and often swelling all of the time.

But, players with arthritis can still play pickleball. Here are ways to manage joint pain and osteoarthritis:

Use braces or sleeves for extra support and stability.
Apply heat or ice before and after playing to ease pain.
Take more breaks, take your time outs during a match.
Do strength-training exercises to help your joints and muscles. Strengthening muscles around the knee joint is one of the best ways to stabilize the knee and help lessen the symptoms of arthritis.
Go to a reputable shockwave therapy provider in your area to get series of sessions to help your knee heal and recover. Usually start with 10 sessions over a period of 6-8 weeks. One of the best things about shockwave therapy is that you will know if it is going to help or not within 3 treatments. You don't have to go for months hoping that it is going to help your knee pain; you and the doctor will know right away.
Talk to a healthcare professional for a personalized plan involving the right exercises for the knee, hips, low back, core and ankles. Also a few lifestyle changes like taking the right nutritional supplements for joint healing and support like Glucosamine, Protein, Magnesium and Fish Oil.

With these tips, players with arthritis can keep enjoying pickleball and manage their joint pain. Remember that pickleballers are hard core; they do not want to miss even one week of playing; it is very important to look after their knees.

Conclusion

Pickleball is getting more popular, a year ago we were seeing mostly 55+ players but now they have junior tournaments and even collegiate tournaments. For all ages, It's important to know about the knee injuries and joint pain it can cause. Even though it's a low-impact sport, it still requires a lot of movement and can be hard on the knees, especially if you already have knee problems. Pickleball is not high impact in terms of jumping but there is significant repetitive stress on the feet, plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, ankles and knees.

But, there's good news. Treatments like extracorporeal shockwave therapy can help with knee pain and make moving easier for people with osteoarthritis and general tendinitis. Many studies have shown that shockwave therapy can really help. It reduces pain, reduces inflammation and swelling, improves movement, and makes pickleball more enjoyable.

Also, doing the right warm-ups, stretches, and taking time to recover can help prevent knee injuries. This way, you can keep playing pickleball safely and it to your later years. Preventative joint care and non-surgical treatments are the healthiest way to maintain good knee health over time. Don't get sidelined from pickleball with an injury; stay on top of your knee health with physical therapy, chiropractic care and shockwave therapy for knee pain.

FAQ

What are the common knee injuries associated with playing pickleball?

Knee injuries from pickleball include sprains, meniscus tears, and worsening osteoarthritis. The sport demands a lot from the knees, especially for older players or those with joint problems. Knee joint pain caused by arthritis, meniscus tears and patellar tendinitis is what we see the most says Dr. Hamel; they are basically all repetitive overuse injuries.

How can shockwave therapy help manage knee pain and arthritis from pickleball?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive way to ease knee pain and boost joint mobility for pickleball players. It sends focused, high energy sound waves to the affected area to stimulate a healing response. Shockwave therapy helps boost blood flow and reduce inflammation which sets up a perfect environment for the healing and repair of a meniscus injury, patellar tendinitis or osteoarthritis.

What is the typical recovery timeline for returning to pickleball after knee replacement surgery?

After knee replacement surgery, it's key to follow a recovery plan and get a doctor's okay before playing pickleball again. The recovery includes a step-by-step increase in physical therapy and activity levels. This ensures a safe and successful return to the game, to get full strength and stability back in the knee you are looking at one year. Many picklers are able to get back in the court within 3 months but making sure not to overdo it.

How can players with arthritis manage joint pain and continue enjoying pickleball?

Players with arthritis can still play pickleball by managing their joint pain. They can use braces, medicine, apply heat or ice, take natural joint support supplements, do shockwave therapy, and chiropractic care or physical therapy. Before getting on the court make sure to do a combination of static and dynamic stretching to warm up the hips, knees, and ankles.

What are the key benefits of playing pickleball?

Pickleball is gaining popularity among all ages for its competitive nature, skill-building, social benefits, and health perks. It improves heart health, joint health, and balance. This makes it a great sport for older people wanting to stay active, have fun and enjoy hanging out with likeminded picklers.

What are the best natural supplements to take for joint support, pain and healing?

For joint support the best supplements are Glucosamine Synergy, and collagen. For healing and repair of joints and muscle we recommend taking Gotu Kola, amino acids and vitamin D. For pain and inflammation, we recommend taking vitamin D3, magnesium, fish oil, turmeric, Salgesic and probiotics.

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Pickleball Injuries-What to do for Knee Pain and Arthritis?

August 20, 2024