Expert Sports Injury
Care in San Diego

The fun and fast pace of the game has made pickleball one of the fastest-growing sports in America, especially among adults over 40 who want a fun way to stay active. In fact, pickleball participation has grown dramatically in recent years, bringing millions of new players onto the court. As more recreational athletes jump into longer matches and more frequent play, orthopedic specialists are seeing a sharp increase in injuries affecting the shoulders, knees, hips, elbows, and ankles. Many of these injuries happen because muscles, tendons, and joints are not fully prepared for the quick stops, sudden pivots, and repetitive swings the sport demands. The good news is that most pickleball injuries can be prevented with proper conditioning, good technique, and early treatment when pain begins. 

Read on to learn about the most common pickleball injuries, what increases your risk, how to protect your body, and when it's time to see the best orthopedic surgeon in San Diego before a minor problem takes you off the court completely.

What Are the Most Common Pickleball Injuries?

Pickleball may look easy from the sidelines, but the quick changes in direction, reaching for low shots, and overhead serves place repeated stress on many joints and muscles. Because of this, sports medicine doctors in San Diego commonly treat shoulder injuries such as: 

• Shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff strains and impingement
• Elbow pain, often called pickleball elbow or tennis elbow, which develops when the tendons on the outside of the elbow become irritated from repetitive swings
• Knee pain, hip pain, and ankle sprains caused by frequent stopping, pivoting, and lunging

Why Are Adults Over 40 More Likely to Get Injured?

Many adults discover pickleball after looking for a social activity that also provides a good workout. While the game is welcoming to beginners, it can place demands on the body that catch new players by surprise. As people age, muscles lose strength, tendons become less flexible, and balance may not be as sharp as it once was. Previous injuries, arthritis, or reduced mobility can also affect how the body responds during fast movements on the court. Additionally, recreational players often increase the number of games they play before their bodies have adapted to the sport. 

How Can You Prevent Pickleball Injuries?

A few simple habits can go a long way toward keeping you healthy throughout the season. Before stepping onto the court: 

• Spend several minutes warming up with movements that increase blood flow and prepare your muscles for quick changes in direction. Shoulder circles, walking lunges, leg swings, and gentle squats are all good options
• Strength training also helps support the joints used most during pickleball. Exercises that build the shoulders, core, hips, and glutes improve stability and reduce unnecessary strain. 
• Wearing court shoes with good lateral support helps lower the risk of slips and ankle injuries. 

It also helps to increase your playing time gradually and schedule recovery days so your muscles and tendons have time to repair themselves.

When Should You See an Orthopedic Specialist for Joint Pain?

It is common to feel sore after an active day on the court, but if you experience the following symptoms, you should get evaluated by the best sports medicine therapist in San Diego:

• Pain that continues for several days 
• Swelling
• Weakness
• Limited range of motion
• Joint instability
• Joint that catches or locks 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, the best sports medicine doctor in San Diego will start by performing a physical exam and may recommend imaging if needed to confirm the diagnosis. Many pickleball injuries improve with physical therapy, temporary activity changes, anti-inflammatory treatment, regenerative therapy, or image-guided injections. However, in some cases, a tendon tear, severe ligament injury, or advanced joint damage may require surgery to restore function and reduce long-term problems.

Can You Play Pickleball Again After an Injury?

Recovery from an orthopedic injury always focuses on reducing pain, restoring flexibility, rebuilding strength, and improving movement patterns before returning to competition. Most players return to pickleball after recovering from an injury, especially when treatment begins early and rehabilitation is completed. However, returning too quickly can place extra stress on healing tissues and increase the risk of another injury. 

Finding the Best Sports Medicine Doctor in San Diego for Joint Injuries

Pickleball offers an enjoyable way to stay active, improve heart health, and spend time with friends, which is why so many adults continue to embrace the sport. But staying active should not mean living with shoulder, knee, hip, or elbow pain. If an injury is limiting your game or keeping you off the court, our team at San Diego Performance Orthopedics & Regenerative Therapy is here to help you recover safely and return to the activities you enjoy. 

Patients from Leucadia, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Torrey Pines, throughout North San Diego County, and across Southern California visit our state-of-the-art Encinitas clinic for advanced sports injury care tailored to their goals. Here, Dr. Sanjum Samagh brings the perspective of both a lifelong athlete and a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine specialist. As a San Diego native, he trained at Stanford University, the University of California, Irvine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Northwestern University, where he also served as assistant team physician for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, and Northwestern football. His research on shoulder injuries, leadership within orthopedic surgery, and experience caring for everyone from recreational athletes to professional competitors allow us to deliver thoughtful, evidence-based treatment for every stage of recovery. 

Ready for the best orthopedic surgeon in San Diego to help you get back to pickleball, another favorite sport, or simply move without pain?