Pickleball Injuries: Causes, Risks and How to Prevent Foot and Ankle Damage -

Pickleball has quickly become one of the most popular sports in the United States. From young athletes to active adults and seniors, everyone is picking up a paddle.

But there’s a problem no one is talking about enough.

Pickleball injuries

Especially foot and ankle injuries are rising at an alarming rate. Recent data shows a significant surge in injuries, with Achilles tendon injuries making up a large percentage of serious cases.

Why Are Pickleball Injuries Increasing So Fast?

Most conversations today focus on what is getting injured:

But very few are asking the real question:

Why are these injuries happening so often in pickleball?

To understand this, you need to look at how the game is played. Pickleball may look easy but biomechanically, it’s demanding. Unlike many traditional sports, pickleball creates a unique combination of stress on the body:

Quick, explosive movements in a short court
Sudden stops and rapid direction changes
Constant reactive footwork instead of predictable rhythm
Frequent lunging movements
High demand on ankle flexibility (especially dorsiflexion)

These movements put repeated stress on the foot and ankle, especially the Achilles tendon. Most players especially adults don’t have enough functional ankle dorsiflexion.

In simple terms: Your ankle doesn’t bend forward enough to handle the movement demands and when your ankle can’t move properly:

This is why we’re seeing such a high number of Achilles tendon injuries in pickleball players.

Why This Is More Serious Than It Looks

This isn’t just about minor sprains. Many pickleball injuries:

This is not the same injury pattern seen in sports like basketball or running. These are high-impact injuries with real consequences.

Are Shoes, Braces, and Warm-Ups Enough?

You’ve probably heard advice like:

These are helpful but they’re not the full solution.

The Real Solution = Fix the Foundation

Injury prevention in pickleball starts with improving:

1. Ankle Dorsiflexion
Better ankle mobility reduces stress on the Achilles tendon.

2. Calf Flexibility & Strength
Strong, flexible muscles can absorb impact more effectively.

3. Movement Mechanics
Proper movement reduces unnecessary strain during play.

Pickleball is here to stay and that’s a great thing. But if we continue to ignore the real cause behind rising injuries, the problem will only grow.

Instead of only focusing on:

We need to start focusing on how the body moves and what it truly needs to perform safely. Because true prevention doesn’t start with shoes or support, It starts with proper function.

If you’re experiencing:

Don’t ignore these early warning signs. What starts as mild discomfort can quickly turn into a serious foot and ankle injury, including Achilles tendon tears or ruptures.

As a trusted Louisville podiatrist and foot & ankle specialist, Dr. Krishna Gathani provides advanced care for both acute injuries and chronic conditions related to pickleball and other sports.

He specializes in diagnosing and treating:

With a strong background in foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine and limb preservation, Dr. Gathani focuses not just on treating the injury but identifying the root cause, including issues like limited ankle mobility and biomechanical imbalance. If you’re dealing with ongoing pain or want to stay injury-free while playing, getting evaluated early can make all the difference.

Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward pain-free movement and confident play. Contact Us

Pickleball Injuries: Causes, Risks and How to Prevent Foot and Ankle Damage