Preventing Pickleball Injuries With Stamford Health HSS Sports Rehab

STAMFORD, CT — Participation in pickleball has increased by leaps and bounds in recent years, but so have the injuries associated with the paddle sport.

Pickleball fever has struck Stamford, evidenced by the recent opening of Pickleball America, the nation's largest indoor pickleball facility

Matt Fedro, a board-certified clinical specialist and the clinical lead at Stamford Health's Hospital for Special Surgery Sports Rehab location in Harbor Point, recently offered up some tips on how pickleball players can stay safe and healthy.

In a note released this past summer by analysts at UBS, it was estimated there would be around 67,000 emergency room visits, 366,000 outpatient visits and 8,800 outpatient surgeries related to pickleball injuries in 2023.

UBS also estimated that about one-third of all "core" pickleball players — or those who play at least eight times a year — are seniors.

According to a report released at the beginning of this year from the Association of Pickleball Professionals, more than 36.5 million people played pickleball at least once from August 2021 to August 2022.

"I think what makes pickleball so great and what's made it catch on so rapidly over the past few years is that it is relatively easy to learn how to play. There's not much of a learning curve and it's pretty accessible in terms of not needing a whole lot of equipment and not needing a whole lot of specialized training," Fedro told Patch. "Really anybody and everybody can be involved. With that being said, it seems to be attracting, not necessarily exclusively, but I'd say more so an older crowd."

Injuries related to pickleball could cost Americans between $250 million and $500 million in medical costs this year, UBS said. Injuries are mostly related to wrist and leg sprains, and fractures.

Fedro said he's mostly seen lower body injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathies or calf strains. He's also seen back and shoulder injuries from players bending over and making sudden, quick movements.

"I don't want people to be afraid to play pickleball. We need to reiterate that any increase in activity is a good thing for our health as a society," Fedro said. "We want to promote people to be more active, but it's about teaching them how to do it in a way that's safe and not getting them injured."

Fedro recommended gradually building up to strenuous, physical activity, especially for people who are just getting into the sport and those who were previously relatively inactive.

He said players should do a 10-minute warmup including a light jog, calisthenic movements or band exercises.

"You have to ease in slowly and listen to your body. If there are aches and pains, don't try to push through the pain, but really gradually increase your activity level. Don't just try to go from zero to 100 the first time you play," Fedro said. "Get your body conditioned to do those movements. Warming up is also something that's going to prevent injuries, and not just going out cold and playing full speed."

In 2017, HSS, the official orthopedic hospital of Major League Pickleball, and Stamford Health formed HSS Orthopedics with Stamford Health, a collaboration that offers a comprehensive array of surgical and non-surgical orthopedic services.

"I've had a couple of patients with acute pickleball injuries, and things that have flared up while they're playing. They're able to walk in without a referral now," Fedro said. "If it's something we feel like needs to be seen by a doctor, we can refer them to a doctor."

HSS is the sponsor of the center court at Pickleball America.

Read more on the UBS note released over the summer.