Pickleball and Shoulder Injuries: What to Know

Pickleball, Smickleball! If you haven’t heard of pickleball, you must be living on another planet. It is one of the most popular sports today for older Americans. It doesn’t take a lot of practice to learn how to play since it’s part tennis, part badminton, and part ping pong. It seems like the perfect activity for weekend warriors to socialize and get some exercise too. However, be careful. Pickleball and shoulder injuries: what to know.

Most Common Pickleball Shoulder Injuries and Causes

Watch out for these common pickleball shoulder injuries.

Fractures of the Clavicle or Collarbone

This bone is frequently injured by falls on pickleball courts if a player lands on their shoulder or outstretched arm.

AC Joint Separation

This injury occurs when a player falls directly on the shoulder. There are 3 grades of separation:

• Stretched AC joint causing pain and swelling
• Widening of joint
• Complete disruption of joint with severe pain and swelling

Shoulder Dislocation

You can dislocate your shoulder usually by falling or running into someone else.

Rotator Cuff Tear

This can be due to overuse. With this injury you can’t raise your arm directly up at the side.

Strains/Sprains and Other Inflammatory Problems

These kinds of injuries are usually seen from trauma, overuse, or improper techniques. Use ice immediately with pain, decreased mobility or swelling.

Frozen Shoulder

Sometimes this occurs without any noticeable reason. It can happen from a traumatic injury after shoulder surgery. Extreme stiffness is the main symptom which limits motion.

Preventing Shoulder Injuries Playing Pickleball

If you are experiencing pain after playing pickleball, see shoulder specialist Samuel Koo, MD, MPH before the discomfort becomes worse.

Practice the following to prevent shoulder injuries:

• Stretching and light to moderate strength training will help to keep the shoulder more flexible.
• Warming up and stretching before any activity along with post cool down.
• Before pickleball try gentle shoulder rolls, shrugs, shoulder rotation, and upper body stretches.
• Put your arms in front of you and rotate your shoulders forward and back.
• Weight training may prevent future injury by strengthening muscles around the shoulder.
• A strong low back and strong abdominal muscles help to lower the risk of shoulder injuries with racket sports.

In addition, choose a paddle that is right for your weight. A lighter paddle might be better as it provides less strain and fatigue in your arms. Get some lessons to help with proper technique.

You can truly enjoy playing pickleball with a little forethought as it lowers blood pressure and decreases depression in older adults.

Contact Dr. Koo if you are having chronic shoulder pain when playing pickleball. Give us a call at (425) 823-4000 to get started, or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources:

Pickleball and Shoulder Pain: Everything You Need To Know (p3physio.com)

Pickleball & Rotator Cuff Injuries In The Shoulder | Franciscan Health

Common pickleball shoulder injuries and how to prevent them | Selkirk Sport – We Are Pickleball