It's official: America is obsessed with pickleball. It's fun, social, and a great way to stay active. But as the sport's popularity has exploded, so has the number of pickleball-related injuries, especially in the foot and ankle. The quick lateral movements, sudden stops, and explosive pivots put immense stress on the lower extremities.
As a board certified foot and ankle surgeon in Las Vegas, a city that has fully embraced the pickleball craze, I am seeing a sharp increase in patients with injuries sustained on the court. The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable, and with the right treatment, you can get back to playing the game you love quickly and safely.
The Top 5 Pickleball Foot & Ankle Injuries
| Injury | Why it Happens in Pickleball | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Sprains | Quick, cutting lateral movements and sudden changes in direction on a hard court. | Pain, swelling, bruising on the outside of the ankle; instability. |
| Achilles Tendonitis/Rupture | Explosive push-offs at the net or lunging for a shot, especially without a proper warm-up. | Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the back of the heel. A pop or snap for a rupture. |
| Plantar Fasciitis | Repetitive impact from running on a hard surface, often exacerbated by improper footwear. | Sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning. |
| Stress Fractures | Overuse and repetitive stress, particularly in the metatarsal bones of the foot. | Deep, aching pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. |
| Morton's Neuroma | Compression of the nerves between the toes, often from tight or improper-fitting shoes. | Burning, tingling, or the sensation of a pebble in the shoe. |
Treatment: From Conservative Care to Advanced Healing
For most acute injuries, the initial treatment follows the R.I.C.E. protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. However, for persistent pain or more severe injuries, advanced treatment is necessary.
- Ankle Sprains: Physical therapy is key to restoring strength and proprioception. For chronic instability, regenerative medicine can help tighten and heal damaged ligaments.
- Achilles Tendonitis: It is crucial to address this early to prevent a full rupture. MLS Laser Therapy can reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. For chronic cases, regenerative injections can rebuild the damaged tendon tissue without surgery.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Custom orthotics, stretching, and regenerative medicine are the mainstays of treatment. Stem cell therapy can provide a definitive cure for chronic cases.
Prevention: The Best Medicine
1. Wear the Right Shoes
This is the single most important factor. Do not wear running shoes to play pickleball. Running shoes are designed for forward motion. Court shoes (tennis or pickleball-specific shoes) are designed with reinforced sidewalls to provide lateral stability and prevent your foot from rolling over.
2. Dynamic Warm-Up & Cool-Down Stretch
Cold muscles and tendons are much more susceptible to injury. Before you play, perform a dynamic warm-up with light jogging, leg swings, and torso twists. After you play, perform static stretches, holding each stretch for 30 seconds. Focus on your calves, hamstrings, and Achilles tendons.
3. Strengthen Your Foundation
Incorporate exercises that strengthen the muscles that support your feet and ankles. This includes calf raises, ankle circles, and balance exercises like standing on one foot.
4. Listen to Your Body
Don't play through pain. If something hurts, stop and assess it. Pushing through a minor ache can easily turn it into a major, long-term injury.
When to See a Podiatrist
If you heard or felt a "pop" at the time of injury, are unable to bear weight on your foot or ankle, the pain is severe and not improving with rest and ice, or you have recurrent injuries to the same area, it's time to see a specialist.