Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America. It combines parts of badminton, tennis, and table tennis to create an easy-to-learn game that can be picked up by anyone. Pickleball is popular not only in the US but also worldwide. The average age of a pickleball player is about 40, meaning that anyone and everyone can play!
Games are played on a court size similar to a badminton court and hit a perforated plastic ball with wooden paddles over a net. The rules are similar to tennis and badminton with a few modifications.
Pickleball is low impact and easy on your joints, but like all sports, injuries can happen. Thankfully, these injuries are relatively easy to prevent when playing.
Injury Prevention
Stretching: Stretching is an excellent way to make sure you stay loose and prevent the tearing or strain of your muscles during play. Stretching your calves, especially, can help prevent tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
Shoes: Proper fitting shoes can prevent rolled ankles, nail trauma, and pre-dislocation syndrome. It is also a good idea to have shoes dedicated to pickleball if you can.
Custom Orthotics: Orthotics can ensure that your weight is properly distributed throughout your foot and can prevent sprains, strains and other pains when playing pickleball. Custom orthotics are the best for this.
Already Injured?
If you’ve injured yourself and want to get back to playing as soon as possible here are some tips:
Don’t Play Through the Pain: Playing while injured will make the injury worse and take you out of the game longer. It is important to address injuries as soon as they occur to prevent more injuries from occurring.
Rest and Ice: Rest and ice can reduce swelling and help you heal faster.
Kinesio Tape: Taping the area can provide stability and ensure a speedy recovery.
If you have any foot-related pain or discomfort, please call Michele Kurlanski, DPM at Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Kurlanski offers expert and professional podiatry services in Cumberland County, Maine. Please call us today at 207-774-0028 to schedule your appointment in our Scarborough office.
For more information on Pickleball visit: https://usapickleball.org