Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, and courts across Boston are packed. It’s social, affordable, and easy to pick up. But at Joint Ventures, we’re seeing the flip side of the boom: more pickleball injuries walking through our doors, and most of them are preventable.

Why pickleball trips people up

It looks like a gentle game, but it asks a lot of your body: quick side-to-side movement, sudden stops, reaching, twisting, and backpedaling. Plenty of players are also active adults getting back into sport after years off, so their eagerness gets ahead of their conditioning. That “too much, too soon” gap is where most injuries begin.

The injuries we see most often

Ankle sprains and falls lead the way, usually from sharp direction changes and backpedaling. Pickleball elbow, a cousin of tennis elbow, builds slowly from repetitive gripping. Achilles tendon irritation often starts as morning heel stiffness. We also treat knee pain from pivoting, rotator cuff strain from overhead serves, and low back pain from constant twisting.

Simple ways to prevent them

Trade static stretching for a dynamic warm-up: leg swings, hip circles, and a brisk few minutes of movement. Increase how much you play gradually. Choose court shoes rather than running shoes so you get real lateral support. Build strength in your hips, glutes, core, and shoulders away from the court. And don’t ignore early aches — they’re your body flagging a problem.

When to see a physical therapist

If an ache won’t settle or your pain keeps worsening, a PT evaluation is a smart first move. We’ll assess how you move to find what’s really driving the pain, not just where it hurts. And many players don’t realize this: in Massachusetts, you don’t need a physician referral to start physical therapy.

Joint Ventures serves players across Back Bay, Kenmore Square, Fort Point / Seaport, Downtown Boston, and Brookline & Allston.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common pickleball injury?
Ankle sprains are the most common acute injury; pickleball elbow and Achilles irritation are the most common overuse injuries.

Do I need a referral to see a PT for pickleball in Boston?
No. Massachusetts allows direct access, so you can book an evaluation without a physician referral.

How do I prevent pickleball injuries?
Warm up dynamically, wear court shoes, ramp up gradually, and strengthen your hips, core, and shoulders.

When should I see a PT for pickleball pain?
If pain lingers past a few days of rest, worsens, or limits your play.