While pickleball is generally a safe sport, certain injuries can catch players off guard. Beyond the common pickleball elbow or knee strain, here are some less-discussed but potentially serious pickleball injuries to be aware of.
1. Achilles Tendon Rupture
The explosive nature of pickleball’s start-and-stop movements can spell trouble for your Achilles tendon, especially if you’ve been ramping up your play intensity too quickly without warming up. This injury often comes with a distinctive “popping” sensation that players describe as feeling like they’ve been kicked in the back of the ankle.
The scary part isn’t just the immediate pain–it’s the lengthy recovery time that can keep you off the courts for 6-12 months, making the psychological impact of this injury as challenging as the physical recovery. Prevention requires proper warm-up routines, appropriate footwear, and listening to your body’s warning signs.
2. Mallet Finger
This deceptively serious injury occurs when a fast-moving pickleball strikes the tip of your extended finger, causing the tendon that straightens your finger to tear. What makes this injury particularly frightening is its sneaky nature–it might not seem serious at first, but without proper treatment, you could permanently lose the ability to straighten your fingertip.
The treatment involves wearing a specialized splint 24/7 for up to eight weeks, and even removing it briefly for washing can reset your healing progress completely. Players often have to modify their grip and playing style significantly during recovery, and some find that their paddle grip needs permanent adjustment after healing.
3. Rotator Cuff Delamination
Unlike traditional rotator cuff tears that develop gradually, delamination can occur suddenly during an aggressive overhead shot or serve. This injury involves the separation of tendon layers within the rotator cuff, creating a unique type of damage that’s both painful and complex to diagnose.
The frightening aspect is that standard MRIs sometimes miss this injury, leading to delayed treatment. Players often describe a sudden sharp pain followed by weakness that doesn’t improve with rest. Recovery typically requires specialized physical therapy and potentially surgery, with some players reporting that their serving technique needs renovation to prevent the injury from happening again.
4. High-Impact Eye Injuries
The close-quarters nature of pickleball combined with the hard plastic ball creates a perfect storm for potential eye injuries. What makes these injuries particularly alarming is their sudden and potentially serious nature. A direct hit to the eye can cause immediate damage to the cornea, lens, or retina, and in severe cases, can lead to permanent vision impairment.
Many players don’t realize that standard prescription glasses or sunglasses offer minimal protection against pickleball impacts. For proper eye protection, players should wear ASTM F803-approved protective eyewear specifically designed for racquet sports.
5. Meniscus Trap Tear
This specialized type of meniscus injury occurs when a player performs a quick pivot while in a semi-squatting position–a common stance in pickleball. What makes this injury particularly frightening is its mechanical nature; the meniscus can become trapped in the joint, causing immediate locking of the knee.
Players often describe an audible click followed by an inability to fully straighten their leg. Beyond the immediate immobility, there’s a risk for additional damage if you try to force the joint to move. Some players report being literally stuck on the court, unable to walk without assistance. Unlike regular meniscus tears that might be manageable with conservative treatment, these mechanical tears often require surgical intervention to prevent further joint damage.
