GREENSBORO, N.C. — Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports, but while the sport grows in popularity, it is important to not only know the rules of the game but how to make sure you don’t injure yourself when playing.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist doctors are noticing more patients coming in with pickleball-related injuries.
What You Need To Know
A good warm up prevents injuries from happening in sports
There are 418 pickleball courts across the state
Pickleball injuries are similar to tennis injuries, according to doctors from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Chris Kepko is the owner and creator of Triad Pickleball, LLC. Guilford County contracts with his company to organize pickleball activities for all levels of players at the Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro.
“Something you can do forever, you look around here you got 20-73 years old, 50s, 60s. You certainly got every age group, so it truly is a game for everybody,” Kepko said.
But before starting the game players have to prepare by warming up.
“Super important, because we can’t just come out here cold, doing that is how you hurt yourself, not getting those muscles activated before doing it. A lot of people do have that problem, where they come out just start jumping on the court without any type of warm up. We really got to get our body moving before jumping into fast high activities,” Kepko said.
He says a good warm up prevents injuries from happening.
“We’re working on certain shots. We’re going to play during the game, and same time we’re stretching,” Kepko said.
And according to doctors from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, they’re seeing common injuries from pickleball. Most are similar to tennis injuries, ACL tears, tennis elbow and upper-arm fractures.
“Warm up for pickleball both involves increasing your cardiovascular fitness prior to starting the sport, but also stretching, doing dynamic warm ups. And being prepared to participate in the cutting, pivoting and change of direction that is required in pickleball. We see injuries that include muscle sprains and strains and also fractures from falls involving the upper extremity,” Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Physician Dr. Nick Trasolini said.
Kepko says as the sport is growing he’s seeing an increase in people coming out to play.
“Not seeing an uptick in injuries out here per say, but we are seeing a huge increase in numbers. For perfect example last year 600 to 750 people we taught brand new to the game last year, and this year we’re on track for a 1,000,” Kepko said.
There are 418 pickleball courts across the state.