Walk into any park or recreation center in Palm Beach County these days, and you’ll hear it… the pop of a paddle, the squeak of court shoes, and the easy laughter between players who play together every week.
Pickleball has become more than a sport here. For many older adults in Boynton Beach and across South Florida, it’s a social event and a fantastic way to stay active.
But as participation has climbed, so have the injuries. According to one recent study, pickleball-related emergency room visits have increased 88% since 2020, and 91% of those injured players were 50 or older.
The good news? Most pickleball injuries respond well to physical therapy. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Pickleball Injuries Are So Common, Especially for Adults 60 and Over
Pickleball looks gentle from the sidelines. In some ways, it is. After all, the court is smaller than a tennis court, the ball is lighter, and the pace is easier to manage than most racket sports.
But the game still demands quick lateral movement, sudden stops, overhead swings, and repetitive wrist and arm motion. For players who haven’t been very active recently, those demands can catch the body off guard.
A clinical review published in PubMed noted that, unlike tennis, most pickleball injuries happen to older players, not younger ones—and injury rates actually increase with age.
Many older adults take up the sport after years of reduced activity, which means the muscles, tendons, and joints that pickleball puts to work may not be fully prepared for the load.
The Most Common Pickleball Injuries in Boynton Beach
Pickleball injuries in Boynton Beach tend to happen in two main categories: overuse injuries that build gradually over time, and acute injuries that happen in a single moment on the court.
Upper Body
- Wrist fractures and sprains – The wrist is the single most commonly injured body part in pickleball. Most of these injuries happen when a player falls and instinctively reaches out to catch themselves, which damages the wrist joint.
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) – Repetitive paddle swings strain the tendons along your outer elbow. You may notice a dull ache that gets worse during play and lingers afterward.
- Rotator cuff strains – Overhead shots and serving motions stress the group of muscles that stabilize your shoulder. Pain when lifting your arm or reaching behind your back is a common early sign.
Lower Body
- Ankle sprains – Quick pivots and lateral lunges are the most common triggers for ankle sprains. These range from mild to severe depending on how far the ligament is stretched or torn.
- Achilles tendinitis – Inadequate warm-up and repetitive push-off motions can inflame the tendon connecting your calf to your heel, which feels like tightness and pain at the back of your ankle.
- Knee pain – Stopping, starting, and changing direction repeatedly stresses your knee joint. Patellar tendinitis and meniscus irritation are both common among regular players.
- Lower back and hip strains – The twisting and bending that come with reaching for wide shots can wear on your lower back and hips over time.
The Biggest Risk Factor Most Pickleball Players Don’t Think About
Most people assume pickleball injuries are caused by overuse, such as playing too many games without enough rest. Overuse does indeed play a role.
But research tells a different story about what’s actually sending players to the emergency room—falls.
A recently completed 10-year study found that falls are the leading cause of injury in pickleball, accounting for 65.5% of all injuries. Among players aged 65 to 80, falls accounted for 71.5% of injuries.
Among players 81 and older, that number rises to 96%.
A separate study focused specifically on wrist and hand injuries found that 90.5% were caused by falls, most often when a player slips, trips, or loses footing and reaches out to break the impact.
Outdoor courts, hard surfaces, fast direction changes, and natural age-related shifts in balance and reaction time all contribute to that risk. That’s why physical therapy for pickleball players so often includes balance and movement work alongside treatment of the injury itself.
How Physical Therapy Helps You Recover from Pickleball Injuries
Physical therapy for pickleball injuries in Boynton Beach goes well beyond treating the immediate source of pain. A licensed physical therapist works to:
- Reduce pain and inflammation in the injured area
- Restore range of motion to the affected joint or muscle
- Rebuild the strength needed to protect the area from re-injury
- Retrain movement patterns so you’re not compensating in ways that create new problems
- Improve balance and proprioception (your body’s sense of where it is in space) to lower your fall risk going forward
The goal isn’t just to get you out of pain. Your physical therapist will also help you get back on the court safely—and stay there.
What Makes BCS Physical Therapy Different
At BCS Physical Therapy & Wellness, every session is one-on-one—just you and your licensed therapist, for a full hour, every visit. You’ll work with the same therapist throughout your entire course of care, which means your progress is tracked closely and nothing falls through the cracks.
Whether you’re dealing with a pickleball injury in Boynton Beach or looking to build the strength and balance to stay ahead of one, our team is here to help.
We accept Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, including United Healthcare, Humana, and Aetna. Request an appointment today and take the first step back toward the game you love.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you see a physical therapist after a pickleball injury?
See a physical therapist if your pain lasts more than 2–3 days, worsens with movement, or is accompanied by swelling, bruising, or joint instability. Don’t try to play through it—early care leads to faster, more complete recovery and reduces the risk of a minor injury becoming a chronic one. When in doubt, a PT evaluation can tell you exactly what you’re dealing with and what to do next.
How many physical therapy sessions does a pickleball injury require?
It depends on the injury. General ranges to expect:
- Mild sprains or strains – 4–6 sessions
- Moderate injuries (rotator cuff strains, ankle sprains) – 8–12 sessions
- More significant injuries (fractures, meniscus issues) – Longer, individualized timelines
At BCS, your therapist builds a plan around your specific injury, goals, and schedule, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Does insurance cover physical therapy for pickleball injuries?
Yes, in most cases. Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, including United Healthcare, Humana, and Aetna, typically cover medically necessary physical therapy, including sports-related injuries. BCS Physical Therapy in Boynton Beach accepts these plans. We invite you to contact us before your first visit to verify your specific benefits.
