Health Minute: Preventing Pickleball Injuries

HEALTH MINUTE (CNN) - The sport of pickleball has become popular over the last few years. It provides a number of physical and emotional benefits. But as many turn to the sport, more people are getting hurt while playing.

Experts say an estimated 24.3 million people in the U.S. played the sport in 2025. They say injuries they commonly see players with are shoulder joint and rotator cuff injuries, wrist injuries, muscle sprains, and ligament sprains in the knees and ankles.

Dr. Trishul Kapoor with the Center of Spine Health and Pain Management at the Cleveland Clinic says players need to prepare their bodies before playing pickleball.

“When joints and muscles are not adequately warmed up, and it’s exactly what it means, literally, there’s not enough blood flow to the region, there’s not enough relaxation, elasticity to the tissue they’re more prone to injury,” Kapoor says.

Kapoor recommends having proper equipment, having the right paddle for your hand and body size, and avoiding tight clothing. He also advises focusing on posture and technique and to see a physician when injured.

“It’s important to pay attention to your symptoms, not just walk away from it or brush it off and say it’s not important. Keep track of it, write it down if you can’t remember what’s going on, and if it persists, get it evaluated,” Kapoor says.