Pickleball has risen to over 5 million players across the United States, but with that doctors have seen a rise in pickleball related injuries. The most common injuries linked to the sport are sprains, strains, and fractures.
The sport is played on what appears to be a smaller tennis court and the sport includes a lot of stopping, starting, and quick movement. Players also pay special attention to the kitchen area that is on either side of the net that is a non-volley zone. Dr. Stephen Stache of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute stated that, “Those abrupt movements can put a lower extremity at risk because they plant and turn, That force then strains the calf or Achilles, causing the ankle to roll.” Adding that on top of leg and back injuries, pickleball can add stress to elbows and shoulders. “It’s very popular in the more senior population, I often make a joke with my patients, I come in the room and I say I love pickleball, pickleball pays my bills.” Stache said.
In the Journal of Emergency Medicine a report estimates that there are roughly 19,000 pickleball injuries per year with 90 percent of them affecting those over the age of 50. Doctors highly suggest stretching prior to playing as you should with any sport in order to lessen the chance of injury.
The sport has gained so much popularity that Stephen Colbert and Funny or Die teamed up for Pickled, a sports comedy special featuring celebrities that compete for the Colbert Cup. Pickled will air tonight at 9 p.m. on CBS.
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