Why Pickleball Is Causing More Knee, Shoulder, and Joint Injuries

Pickleball has exploded in popularity and for good reason.

It's social.

It's competitive.

It's fun.

And it gets people moving.

But there's another trend showing up alongside pickleball's popularity:

👉 More injuries.

Especially among active adults who haven't moved this way in years.

Pickleball Is More Demanding Than It Looks

From the sidelines, pickleball may look relatively easy.

But once you're playing, your body is constantly:

• Starting and stopping
• Changing direction
• Reaching for shots
• Rotating
• Moving backward
• Lunging toward the ball

These quick movements can place significant demands on joints and muscles.

Knee Injuries Are Common

Your knees absorb stress every time you:

👉 Change direction
👉 Stop suddenly
👉 Lunge for a shot
👉 Move sideways

For someone who already has knee arthritis or chronic joint pain, pickleball may expose problems that weren't as noticeable during normal daily activities.

You may notice:

• Knee pain after playing
• Swelling
• Stiffness the next morning
• Difficulty with stairs afterward

Shoulder Pain Can Develop Too

Pickleball involves hundreds of repeated swings.

Over time, repetitive movement may irritate structures around the shoulder.

Players may notice:

• Pain when reaching overhead
• Shoulder weakness
• Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
• Pain continuing after the game ends

Achilles and Calf Injuries Are Another Concern

One moment you're standing still...

The next you're sprinting toward the net.

That sudden acceleration can place significant stress on the calf and Achilles tendon—especially if the body isn't prepared for explosive movement.

The Weekend Warrior Problem

One of the biggest challenges isn't necessarily pickleball itself.

It's going from:

👉 Sitting most of the week

To:

👉 Playing aggressively for two hours on Saturday.

Your cardiovascular system may feel ready...

But your joints, muscles, and tendons may not be conditioned for repeated quick movements.

Does an Injury Mean You Have to Stop Playing?

Not necessarily.

The goal for many active adults isn't simply reducing pain.

👉 It's getting back to the activities they enjoy.

But continuing to play through persistent pain without understanding the cause can potentially make some problems worse.

When Should You Pay Attention?

If pain after pickleball:

🚩 Persists for several days
🚩 Causes swelling
🚩 Changes how you walk
🚩 Causes weakness or instability
🚩 Keeps returning every time you play

…it may be worth having the problem evaluated.

The Takeaway

Pickleball is a great way to stay active but it's more physically demanding than many people realize.

Quick starts, stops, lunges, and repetitive movements can place significant stress on the knees, shoulders, hips, and tendons.

At Buffalo Arthritis & Joint Pain Center, we help active adults explore non-surgical options designed to reduce joint pain, improve mobility, and help them return to the activities they enjoy.

👉 The goal isn't to stop playing. It's to keep your body capable of playing.