Newswise — LOS ANGELES (July 25, 2024) -- As pickleball’s popularity grows, Cedars-Sinai orthopedic specialists are seeing an increase in injuries related to the sport. “We are seeing an epidemic of pickleball Achilles tendon injuries,” said Cedars-Sinai orthopedic surgeon Timothy Charlton, MD . Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, especially among older adults, and offers a fun, social way to boost physical activity.
With 13.6 million players and a 200% increase in participation over the past three years, pickleball’s rapid rise is notable. So is the increase in injuries.
SportsMed.org says injury numbers have increased nearly ninefold in the past decade. In 2023, pickleball injuries in the U.
S. accounted for more than $350 million in medical costs. The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Charlton, a foot and ankle surgeon and a United States Professional Tennis Association certified instructor, to discuss common injuries, prevention and the benefits of playing racket sports.
What type of outdoor sports injuries are you seeing this summer? We're seeing a significant number of injuries from tennis and pickleball, with pickleball gaining immense popularity in the last five years. In tennis, shoulder injuries are common, while both tennis and pickleball players frequently experience lower extremity injuries, particularly Achilles tendon tears. These injuries have become especially prevalent in pickleball, reaching epidemic proportions and affecti.
