MD Podiatrist Discusses Pickleball Injuries

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, feet can bear the brunt of the hard stops, starts, and stretches that are common in a pickleball court. “Aside from the acute injuries, pickleball players can experience heel bruising, which occurs when the pad of fat surrounding the heel bone is damaged due to repetitive impact or an overly aggressive step when lunging to hit the ball,” she said.
 
 
“Another area affected by strenuous or repetitive strain is our Achilles tendon. This band of tissues connects the calf and heel. As we age, the structure of the Achilles tendon weakens. People who have strained their Achilles tendon will experience pain in the back of the leg or near the heel.” Other symptoms may include stiffness or tenderness, especially in the morning, Dr. Michaels said.