Pickleball Is Booming — and So Are Foot Injuries

Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. It’s easy to learn, highly social, and a fantastic way to stay active. But like many sports that involve quick movements and rapid changes in direction, pickleball places significant stress on the feet and ankles. Some of the most common issues I see among pickleball players include:

• Achilles tendon irritation

• Plantar fasciitis

• Ankle sprains

• Forefoot pain

These injuries often occur when players transition quickly into the sport without preparing their bodies for the movement demands. These quick exciting introduction to a new activity quietly causes a tissue overload which activates a tissue response of thickening. A thick tissue is less invisible and more prone to causing stress on its neighboring tissues. 

Court sports require strong foot and ankle stability, good footwear, and adequate mobility in the hips and calves. The good news is that most of these injuries are preventable.mWith proper preparation, strengthening, and appropriate footwear, many players can enjoy the sport safely for years.

The goal is not to avoid activity—it is to prepare the body so it can handle the activity well.