So, what are the most common Pickleball injuries, and how can we prevent them? Read on to hear what a Podiatrist has to say!

1. Ankle & Foot Fractures  Ankle and foot fractures can happen on the Pickleball court due to the various and sudden movements you exert on the foot during a Pickleball game. Sudden forward, back and side-to-side movements means the foot and ankle are susceptible to “rolling”. Proper court shoes are meant to help prevent this occurrence, but still, ankle and foot fractures, most commonly fifth metatarsal fractures, a.k.a. Jones Fractures, are still prevalent. The process for healing a foot or ankle fracture depends highly on where the fracture has taken place. To learn more about how we treat foot and ankle fractures at County Wide, visit our blog on the topic here.
2. Peroneal Tendinitis  Two muscles attached to the outside of the leg, known as Peroneals, are responsible for turning the foot out and protecting the ankle from injury. The muscles themselves have tendons that run behind the ankle and attach at the mid-foot. This group of muscles and tendons is usually injured during an ankle sprain, but can also become inflamed due to overuse and acute trauma. In this case, the pain will be experienced just below and in front of the ankle bone. As with any tendonitis, anti-inflammatory medication, icing and rest will help alleviate the pain and restore the area. Custom orthotics can also help prevent recurrence.
3. Forefoot Pain  In the game of Pickleball, players may often overload the forefoot as they stand in the “ready” position to play. But too much consistent pressure on the forefoot or front of the toes can cause inflammation. When the tendons at the end of the big toe become inflamed, it can cause metatarsalgia, which can be caused by numerous forefoot issues such as: neuromas, plantar plate tearing (ligamental tearing), sesamoiditis (which is irritation of the sesamoids underneath the big toe due to great toe or medial overload), bursitis, or capsulitis (inflammation of the forefoot joints).This can be alleviated with rest, icing and anti-inflammatories. But when the pain exists between the toes, it’s called a Neuroma, which is one of the most common forefoot issues we see with pickleball.
4. Heel Bruising  A heel bruise is an injury that is sustained over time with repetitive force, referred to as an “overuse injury”. This can happen without the patient knowing it until the pain starts hours or days after. This occurs when the fat pad around the heel experiences irritation or damage. The heel bone itself can also experience bruising. To help heal a heel bruise, Dr. Garzon recommends taking time to rest the heel, keeping weight off of the foot to promote healing. To help alleviate pain and swelling, you can apply ice to the heel in intervals. Taping the heel to add compression helps prevent further injury, and elevating the heel can also alleviate pressure and promote healing. Depending on the severity of the heel bruise, a temporary boot may be suggested.
5. Achilles Tendonitis  Another overuse injury on the Pickleball court is Achilles Tendonitis, which causes pain in the calf, swelling of the tendon and lower leg stiffness. Two types of Achilles Tendonitis can develop: non-insertional and insertional. They are differentiated by the location of the tendon tear. If not treated, a patient can experience multiple tears. Stretching when the tendon is inflamed can actually make it worse. Therefore, restricting the range of motion with a boot may be administered or a night splint which holds the foot at 90 degrees during rest in order to “passively” stretch the achilles tendon. Physical therapy or at home ROM exercises may be implemented when the inflammation is reduced or eliminated.
6. Ankle Sprain  Ankle sprains are difficult to avoid as they happen suddenly and without warning. Sprains are common Pickleball injuries, especially inversion sprains, which occur when the foot twists upward and the ankle rolls inward. The most common cause of this injury is poor fitting shoes. In addition to proper footwear, the best way to avoid an ankle sprain is to keep your focus on the court. If or when an ankle sprain does occur, take steps to help it heal quickly, like icing the ankle, keeping it elevated, and resting. Depending on the severity of the ankle sprain, bracing may be implemented. It can take days to weeks for a sprain to resolve, but full recovery is best, as recidivism injury can occur easily if excess strain is applied too early, causing further ankle instability and propensity for injury.