Pickleball Injury Specialist
Have you recently started playing pickleball? Maybe you are a long-standing pickleball champion and have been for years. If you experience an injury while playing this wildly popular sport, it is important to get an evaluation early so that proper treatment can be begin. Doctor Ronak Mukesh Patel, orthopedic sports medicine specialist, treats patients from Sugar Land, Pearland and the Houston, Texas areas who have experienced a pickleball injury. Contact Dr. Patel’s team today!
Houston – #6 in the nation for Pickleball!
In an article by the Houston Chronicle “Chron” in June of 2023, the city of Houston had the nation’s sixth-most dedicated pickleball court facilities. The facilities boasted over 200 individual courts, which doesn’t even count the pickleball facilities and parks in Sugar Land, Pearland, Spring and other surrounding cities. The outrageously popular sport has been growing since!
Where did Pickleball come from?
Pickleball actually started in the 60’s when two dads decided to “invent” something to entertain their families. They used an empty swimming pool as a “court” and it’s grown from there. Pickleball became extremely popular, thanks to the pandemic when people were looking for something to cure the boredom, get them off the sofa, and do something fun that still allowed “social distancing.” Pickleball is easy to learn, can be played without a lot of investment and without having a high skill level.
What about Pickleball Injuries?
As with any sport, pickleball comes with some risk for injury. A hybrid combination of ping-pong, tennis, and badminton, pickleball appeals to both older and younger age groups. Injuries from this sport do not discriminate due to age or athletic ability, and certain injuries can be common among pickleball players. With the increase in popularity of this sport, emergency room visits due to injury have also increased. In fact, last year alone there were over 18,000 estimated emergency room visits due to pickleball. Doctor Ronak Mukesh Patel specializes in orthopedic injuries caused by pickleball (and other sports). He sees patients from Sugar Land, Pearland, and the Houston, Texas area and can diagnose and offer treatment for your pickleball injury.
What are common Pickleball injuries?
Although Pickleball is a sport with fewer injuries across the board, injuries can still occur. The most common injury you might experience is knee pain. Knee pain can be caused by something as simple to treat as localized swelling from overuse or something more involved like a ligament tear. Here are some very common Pickleball sports injuries Dr. Patel sees in his office:
- Knee Sprains
- Meniscus Injuries or Tears
- Ligament Strains or Tears
- Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendonitis)
Why do my knees hurt after playing pickleball?
Any time you start a new sport, you might experience a period of painful adjustment, while your body gets used to the new movements required from pickleball. Some soreness or a few aches and pains that go away with rest and time are to be expected. However, if the soreness persists or gets worse, you may want to see an orthopedic specialist to avoid further injury.
When should I see a doctor about my Pickleball pain?
If you are playing Pickleball and feel any sharp, severe pain in the hip, knee, or shoulder, these could indicate a serious problem and you should have it evaluated right away. Most Pickleball injuries can be treated non-surgically, with conservative measures; however, there are some injuries that need to be taken care of as soon as possible. Here are some symptoms you should not ignore if you feel pain while playing pickleball:
- Swelling in the knee
- Bruising around the knee joint
- A popping, cracking or crunching sound
- Pain that worsens with activity
- Pait that keeps you awake at night
- Pain that keeps you from playing pickleball
- A change in your gait due to hip or knee pain
- Persistent pain in the knee, hip, or shoulder
How can I avoid a Pickleball injury?
According to a recent study, Pickleball has been deemed safer than tennis and better for individuals with heart problems. As with any sport, even pickleball can have some risk for injury. The best way to avoid injury while playing pickleball are fairly straight forward:
- Gradually increase the intensity over weeks.
- Walk slowly – working up to a brisk walk or slow jog
- Warm up before playing!
- Slowly stretch your muscles.
- Stretch your neck, shoulders, torso, arms and legs.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water before, during and after your match
- Stretch afterward
- Cool down with a walk (preferably while drinking water intermittently)