There Is Nothing Tough About Playing Injured

Pickle Tough: Play Hard. Play Smart. Live to Dink Another Day.

There is nothing Tough about playing injured. Don’t get me wrong, we all do it, and it’s not smart. This author is currently injured, and it’s no fun. I’m attempting to play this week as I’ll be in Southern California, and I can’t give up the opportunity to play with the Pacific Ocean in the background. But I’m pretty sure this won’t end well.

Because apparently, a beautiful ocean view and a chance to play pickleball are enough to make me forget basic common sense.

And this article isn’t just for the old folks. It’s for the kids, too. Injury can get any of us. You don’t need gray hair, a bad knee, or a lifetime supply of ibuprofen to find yourself limping off the court.

Pickleball is a blast, but all that stopping, starting, twisting, lunging, and chasing down balls can take a toll on your body. So before you convince yourself that you’re fine because you can still grip your paddle, let’s talk about some common injuries, how to recover, and how to avoid becoming a permanent fixture on the sidelines.

The Injuries That Can Ruin Your Rally

1. Ankle Sprains: When Your Foot Has Other Plans

One minute you’re chasing down a lob like an Olympic athlete. The next, your ankle rolls, and you’re questioning every decision that brought you to that court.

Ankle sprains happen when you change direction, stop suddenly, or land awkwardly. Swelling, bruising, tenderness, and pain when walking are common signs.

The recovery game plan: Protect the ankle, use compression and elevation to help manage swelling, and apply ice if it eases the pain. Gradually work back into movement, balance exercises, and strengthening as tolerated. Mild sprains may improve in a week or two, while more serious ones can take six weeks or longer.

Pickle Tough tip: If you can barely walk, don’t test your recovery by chasing a third-shot drop.

2. Knee Injuries: The Price of One More Ball

Pickleball involves plenty of quick pivots, deep lunges, and sudden stops. Your knees absorb a lot of that punishment, especially when fatigue sets in.

Pain, swelling, stiffness, clicking, or a knee that feels unstable can indicate anything from irritation around the kneecap to a more significant injury, such as a meniscus tear.

The recovery game plan: Take a break from painful lunges and sharp direction changes. Gradually rebuild strength in your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. If your knee locks, gives way, or stays swollen, get it evaluated.

Recovery can take a few weeks for mild irritation and considerably longer for a significant injury.

Pickle Tough tip: That ball is not worth a knee that sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies every time you stand up.

3. Achilles Injuries: When the Engine Won’t Start

Your Achilles tendon helps you push off, accelerate, and move explosively around the court. All those quick starts can overload it, particularly if you suddenly increase your playing time.

Stiffness or pain behind the heel, especially during your first steps in the morning, can signal an irritated tendon.

The recovery game plan: Reduce explosive movement and painful court time. Gradually build calf strength with an appropriate rehabilitation program. These injuries can take weeks or months to settle down.

If you feel a sudden pop and struggle to push off or stand on your toes, seek urgent medical assessment. You could have a tendon rupture.

Pickle Tough tip: You’re not winning a medal for limping through open play.

4. Tennis Elbow: The Paddle Has Entered the Chat

Despite the name, tennis elbow is a common problem for pickleball players, too. Repeated forehands, backhands, hard drives, and an overly tight grip can irritate the tendons on the outside of your elbow.

You may notice pain when gripping your paddle, lifting a coffee mug, or extending your wrist. Yes, even your morning coffee can become an opponent.

The recovery game plan: Reduce painful shots, check your grip and technique, and gradually strengthen your wrist and forearm. Recovery often takes six to twelve weeks or longer.

Pickle Tough tip: Loosen your grip. You’re playing pickleball, not trying to choke the paddle into submission.

5. Shoulder Injuries: Leave the Smashes for Later

Overhead smashes and repeated hard swings can strain your shoulder or irritate the rotator cuff, particularly if your shoulder and upper-back muscles aren't conditioned for the workload.

Pain when raising your arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on that shoulder is a warning sign.

The recovery game plan: Temporarily limit painful overhead shots and gradually restore comfortable movement and shoulder strength. Significant weakness or an inability to raise your arm after an injury warrants prompt medical attention.

Pickle Tough tip: Sometimes the smarter shot is the one you don't attempt.

Recover Like You Mean It

Whatever the injury, the biggest mistake is trying to play through pain and turning a small problem into something that sidelines you for months.

Rest from painful activities, address the underlying problem, and gradually rebuild strength and mobility. Don't assume that because the pain has eased, your body is ready for tournament-level intensity.

And if you're experiencing severe pain, major swelling, difficulty bearing weight, or signs of a serious tendon injury, get medical attention. Being tough doesn't mean ignoring an injury. It means knowing when to get it checked out.

The Bottom Line

We play pickleball because it's fun. We love the competition, the exercise, the friendships, and the occasional opportunity to remind our buddies who's boss.

But none of that is worth turning a minor injury into a major one.

So warm up, get stronger, listen to your body, and give yourself time to recover. You can always find another game. You can't always fast-forward a healing tendon.

And as for me? I'm still hoping to play with that Pacific Ocean in the background.

Will I be smart about it?

Let's just say this article might be easier to write than to follow.

Pickle Tough: Built for the Long Rally. Just make sure your body is ready for it.