Pickleball injuries surge in St. George alongside growing popularity

Pickleball players on the move at courts at Sunbrook, St. George, Utah, Feb. 16, 2023 | Photo by Becky Stein, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Pickleball, the fast-paced, paddle-wielding sport is taking the world, St. George — and most of its tennis courts — by storm.  With all that backhanding and dinking, it’s no surprise that pickleball injuries are on the rise.

Maladies of the sport

Dr. Warren Butterfield, an orthopedic surgeon at Intermountain Health Orthopedic Urgent Care, said he has seen an influx of pickleball mishaps over the years.

“The most common injury I see in pickleball is a wrist fracture,” Butterfield said. “It is somebody who is stepping backward or aggressively going after a ball, and they just trip, reach out to rescue themselves and land on their outstretched arm, and break their wrist.”

Damaged elbows and even concussions also are resulting from missteps and trips, such as running backward to fetch a ball and falling down.

Orthopedic urgent care x-ray
in this file photo for illustration purposes only, Dr. Warren Butterfield reviews images with a young patient recovering from clavicle injury (not pickleball induced), Orthopedic Urgent Care, St. George, Utah, Feb. 15, 2023 | Photo by Becky Stein, St. George News

Cultivating over the years

While the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a viral calling to the outdoors and pickleball offered a welcoming outlet to new entry-level players, pickleball-related injuries began to appear before the pandemic, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine.

Adding to the popularity induced by the pandemic, St. George’s growing population of retirees also contributes to the volume of new players. They have days free to join leagues to volley and punch. It is not necessarily that a 55-plus population is prone to fractures or gaffs, it is just there are more players on the courts that are over 55 and showing up to the emergency room.

Other pains and strains

Not all players are coming in with broken bones.

“Many are aches, pains and strains,” Butterfield said.

A common affliction is the dreaded “tennis elbow.” While pickleball is much different from tennis, the mechanics of the backhand swing are similar enough that many pickleball players are finding themselves with the same elbow pain that plagues tennis players. The good news is that tennis elbow can be treated with rest, physical therapy and sometimes a brace.

Also on the list of aches is shoulder pain. With the overhead swings and serves, it’s no wonder pickleball players are feeling it in the shoulders. Treatment options include rest, physical therapy and, in some cases, cortisone injections.

It is not just the upper and lower body that are at risk in pickleball but also the ankles that take a beating.

“We also see some ankle injuries due to misstep and twisting,” Butterfield said.

New to the sport, Lisa Rosen, herself a physician, thought she was suffering from plantar fasciitis after a few months of play. Plantar fasciitis is a common foot injury that can be caused by constant running and jumping on the pickleball court.

“I went to have examined what I thought was plant fasciitis, instead to discover I had a  metatarsal stress fracture,” Rosen said, highlighting the importance of seeking treatment from a doctor when afflicted with an injury or discomfort.

Prevention

Pickleball courts at Sunbrook get well used all year long, St. George, Utah, Feb. 16, 2023 | Photo by Becky Stein, St. George News

There are options for a pickleball lover to avoid the risks of the game.  Most importantly, listen to the body.  Just like any sport, it’s crucial to know one’s own limitations and be patient. Do not be so eager to be the champion.

“Start slowly and build up,” Butterfield said.

If experiencing pain or discomfort, take a break and rest. When back on the court, be sure to warm up and stretch properly before playing. Another good idea is to invest in quality gear, such as a proper pair of pickleball shoes and a high-end paddle.

Pickleball is inviting and can be entered at any time in one’s lifespan. Nonetheless, it is important to remember it is not necessarily a low-impact sport. Though it may be less impactful than tennis due to less surface area to run and cover.

“When you’re starting out, you’re more prone to have accidents, so play within your ability and let yourself grow into the game,” Butterfield said.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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