According to a recent Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s Topline Participation Report, the population of pickleball has increased at a staggering 300 percent over the past few years. An estimated 20 million players in America are embracing the sport, which is described as a mash-up of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
Pickleball is incredibly popular among older adults, but younger people are also playing in record numbers. And, as with any sport, pickleball carries a risk of injury. Our team at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre is a trusted resource for pickleball players in Conroe and The Woodlands, Texas, who experience injuries.
So, let’s talk about lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and why it’s a common problem for pickleball players.
Pickleball is played on a court that is smaller than a tennis court but laid out in much the same way. Players volley a ball across a net using handheld paddles. The game engages the entire body, with lots of running, reaching, and fast changes in direction.
Because pickleball is so similar to tennis, it should come as no surprise that the two sports also share common injuries. Lateral epicondylitis, commonly called tennis elbow, is a prime example.
Tennis elbow develops when you perform repetitive motions like swinging or twisting your lower arm. Over time, these movements can damage the tendon that connects your forearm muscles to your elbow.
Once damage begins, your body responds with inflammation. That causes pain and limits your ability to move your arm comfortably. While sports like tennis and pickleball can certainly lead to lateral epicondylitis, most people who develop the condition are not playing court games. Anything that causes repetitive grasping and twisting of your forearm can be to blame.
That said, with more and more people giving pickleball a try, our office has definitely seen an uptick in tennis elbow injuries that are directly tied to the sport.
If you begin to notice pain in your forearm, it’s helpful to know the additional signs of lateral epicondylitis. The condition usually causes pain on the outside of the elbow. That pain can be sharp or dull, and it might feel like it’s spreading from your elbow down into your forearm and wrist. The pain often worsens when you bend or twist your arm.
Additional changes you might experience include:
While it’s possible to develop lateral epicondylitis in both arms, it usually occurs in the arm you use to swing your pickleball paddle.
You can take action to reduce your risk of developing tennis elbow. Begin by making sure your body is in good shape before you take up pickleball as a hobby. This is true anytime you want to try a new sport. While it’s tempting to jump right in and hope your body adjusts, the reality is that taking the time to build your upper body strength is a better approach.
You should also make sure your pickleball handle is the right size for your hand. You don’t want to choose a handle that is so small that it requires you to curl your hand and squeeze tightly during practice and play.
Learning the proper techniques can also be very helpful. Consider taking lessons as you get going, or watch some videos to learn the best ways to hold the paddle, serve, and swing.
As with any athletic pursuit, taking the time to warm up is important. It gives your body a chance to prepare for more rigorous exertion and lowers your risk of soft tissue injuries.
If you develop tennis elbow, there are a number of treatments that can help. In the early stages, simply taking some time to rest the affected joint can bring relief. Wearing a brace can help you avoid putting too much strain on your elbow.
A course of physical therapy can help by strengthening the muscles that support your elbow and arm. Steroid injections can deliver temporary pain relief.
In some cases, a procedure called tenotomy is needed to achieve lasting relief. This approach involves using treatment needles to break down and remove damaged tendon tissue and prompt your body to develop new tissue that repairs the damage.
Surgery is usually not necessary to treat tennis elbow unless extensive joint damage has occurred.
If you’re worried about elbow pain, the first step should be booking a visit with The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre. Our providers will meet with you to discuss your symptoms and perform a diagnostic assessment before exploring treatment options. You can start today by booking a visit online or giving our office a call.
