PICKLEBALL ACHES: WHAT IS NORMAL AND WHEN TO GET CHECKED

Pickleball is easy to start and hard to put down. Quick starts, stops and side-to-side moves on a hard court, plus repeated paddle swings, put steady demands on the body, especially if you are new to it or just back for the season.

Usually normal

• General muscle soreness a day or two after playing
• Mild stiffness that eases as you warm up
• Tired legs after a long session

Worth getting checked

• Elbow or forearm pain when you grip the paddle or a coffee cup
• Shoulder pain that wakes you at night
• Heel pain with your first steps in the morning
• Knee pain on stairs or when you change direction
• Back pain that lasts more than a few days

Get seen urgently

A sudden pop or kick feeling at the back of the ankle, with pain and trouble pushing off, can be an Achilles tendon injury. Stop playing and get seen right away.

Keep playing longer

• Build up your playing time gradually
• Warm up before you play, not just with a few dinks
• Wear court shoes with good side support
• Drink water before and during play in the Arizona heat

Read more about our golf and pickleball injury care and our care for heel pain.