Pickleball Is Booming — But So Are Injuries: What You Need to Know

Posted on: May 18th, 2026 by Our Team

Pickleball has taken the United States by storm, becoming one of the fastest-growing sports across all age groups. With that growth, however, has come a significant and well-documented rise in injuries. A 2025 study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai analyzed a decade of national emergency department data to better understand who is getting hurt playing pickleball, how they are getting hurt, and whether these injuries are increasing over time.

What Did the Study Look At?

The researchers used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) — a national database of emergency department visits — to identify all pickleball-related injuries from January 2013 through December 2022. A total of 1,110 cases were identified, representing an estimated 66,350 pickleball-related injuries nationally over that 10-year period. The average age of injured players was 64 years.

Who Is Getting Hurt Most?

The data confirmed that older players bear the heaviest injury burden. Most injuries occurred in those aged 65 to 80 years, accounting for over 61% of all nationally estimated injuries, followed by those aged 35 to 64 years at 31%. That said, injuries were rising across every age group, not just older players.

How Are the Injuries Happening?

Falls were the most common overall injury mechanism, responsible for 65.5% of all injuries. However, the pattern varied meaningfully by age. Younger players aged 18 to 34 were more commonly injured through twisting and inversion mechanisms — the kind of sudden directional change the sport demands — while the youngest players (under 17) were most often hurt by being struck with a paddle.

What Types of Injuries Occur?

Fractures were the most common diagnosis, accounting for nearly 33% of all injuries, followed closely by strains and sprains at just under 31%. Contusions and closed head injuries also represented a notable portion of cases.

The wrist was the most common fracture site, accounting for 29% of all fractures, while strains and sprains most commonly affected the lower leg and ankle. There were also important differences between men and women: women sustained significantly more fractures, with 69% of all fractures occurring in female players, while male players sustained proportionally more strains and sprains.

Are Injuries Getting Worse Over Time?

Yes — significantly so. There was a statistically significant increase in pickleball-related injuries from 2013 to 2022 across all age groups. As the sport continues to attract millions of new players, the total injury burden is expected to keep rising.

What Does This Mean for You?

Pickleball is a wonderful sport — it promotes activity, social connection, and cardiovascular health. But the data are clear that it carries real injury risk, particularly for older players and women. Falls on the court remain the biggest threat, and wrist fractures are the most common serious outcome.

Proper footwear with ankle support, court awareness, and knowing your physical limits can reduce your risk. If you’ve suffered a pickleball-related injury, an evaluation with Dr. Mark Cinque, sports medicine specialist can help determine the best path to recovery and safe return to the game.

Contact Dr. Mark Cinque at Scripps to schedule a consultation today