Pickleball Shoes and Injuries: What the Studies Say

Posted October 22, 2026 Revised October 22, 2026 5-minute read

By the Bien Chaussé editorial team.

Illustration for the article “Chaussures et blessures au pickleball : ce que disent les études” — **Pickleball Shoes and Injuries: What the Studies Say.** Shoes, sprains and prevention. In this overview: the basic principles, every article in the section, how to get started and other useful benchmarks.

Sprains and falls are among the most commonly described injuries in players. This section sums up what we know and what we still don't. Think of it as the front door to "Comfort and Injury Prevention," organized to guide you.

The Guiding Principles

First, the frame. An ankle sprain happens during a sudden change of direction: the foot rolls outward and the ligaments stretch or tear. An ankle brace is suggested for players with a weak or previously sprained ankle. Keep that in mind as you read on.

Second, the frame again. The injury mechanisms described in the foot and ankle are running or lunging forward, a planted foot during a pivot, and ankle inversion movements.

Third, Mass General Brigham separates overuse injuries (tendinopathies of the elbow and Achilles tendon) from acute traumatic injuries caused by a fall or a sudden change of direction (meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament tears).

The Articles to Explore

The articles in this section are gathered below.

Pourquoi les blessures de cheville et de pied augmentent au pickleball — you'll learn what the published data show on foot and ankle injuries, and how to read those figures with perspective.
Entorse de la cheville au pickleball : prévenir et réagir — you'll learn which habits and which gear lower the risk of a sprain, and when to see a doctor.
Que valent les études sur les blessures de pickleball ? Lire une revue de la portée — you'll learn to tell a scoping review from a clinical study and to judge how solid the injury figures are.
Fatigue, surutilisation et confort des pieds : adapter sa pratique — you'll learn to recognize an overuse injury and adjust how often you play, how much you rest and what shoes you wear.

Getting Started

Follow the steps below, one after the other.

Mass General Brigham recommends cross-training (cycling, yoga) for underused muscles, plus strengthening (core work, squats, lunges). It also says to see a doctor if pain lasts beyond a few days.
Correct technique, good foot placement and proper posture put less strain on muscles, tendons and ligaments, according to Dr. Matzkin, cited by Mass General Brigham.
An orthopedic surgeon recommends court shoes with lateral support, plus regular strengthening of the shoulders, trunk and legs, flexibility work (yoga, Pilates), and stopping to rest as soon as pain appears rather than pushing through.
In this study, conservative treatment (immobilization, physical therapy, the RICE protocol) is the most common. Dr. Smith recommends warming up, stretching, court shoes and, when the ankle is unstable, a taped ankle or a brace.
Mass General Brigham recommends a dynamic warm-up before playing (butt kicks, runner's lunges, trunk rotations) and saving static stretching for after the match.

What Sets the Options Apart

Here are the comparison points to keep in front of you.

The podiatrist recommends matching the sole to the surface — a gym's hardwood or laminate floor calls for a firmer sole, while outdoor play benefits from a sole that absorbs shock better.
According to surgeon Carl Cirino (HSS), you don't need pickleball-specific shoes. A tennis or squash shoe with a flat, solid sole works to keep you from tripping and falling.

Side Notes

Now the reference figures. In this study, 57 patients had surgery, most often for an Achilles tendon repair.

In the records, from this study (198 injuries, average age 58), an Achilles tendon rupture is the most frequent diagnosis, with 78 cases, and about 80% of injuries are traumatic.

In the records, a study presented to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society in 2024 reports a 6,5-fold increase in pickleball-related foot and ankle injuries in the United States between 2019 and 2023.

Mistakes to Avoid

Next, the mistakes to watch for.

Running shoes, with a rounded sole that encourages forward momentum, are a poor fit for pickleball. HSS recommends a flat, stable base.
According to podiatrist Sarah Cantin-Langlois, running shoes suit linear movement but don't give the support and stability that pickleball's side-to-side movement demands.

More Leads to Explore

Run through the following points, flagged as essential.

Mass General Brigham notes that wrist fractures mostly affect older women players, that adults get hurt mainly by falling while teenagers get hurt by racket impact, and it advises protective eyewear to prevent eye injuries.
The body parts most affected in injuries seen in emergency departments are the wrist (12.7%), the lower trunk (12.1%) and the lower leg (11.7%).
The estimated number of pickleball injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments rose from 611 in 2013 to 13,690 in 2022, an increase of more than 22 times.
In the study presented at the AOFAS in 2024, 58% of patients are men, and calf injuries (gastrocnemius strain, Achilles tendinopathy) account for nearly 70% of injuries.
In this analysis of U.S. emergency departments, 61.1% of injuries involve people aged 65-80 and 31.3% people aged 35-64. The average age of the injured is 64.
In the United States, emergency departments recorded about 66,350 pickleball injuries (a national estimate based on 1,110 NEISS cases) between 2013 and 2022.

Sources

Preventing foot and ankle injuries in pickleball — Health information page from a medical group on foot and ankle injuries in pickleball. Reference reviewed on 2026-10-18.
Foot and ankle injuries in pickleball increased 6.5-fold from 2019 to 2023 (Healio) —
Pickleball injuries (version française) — Common injuries (ankle, Achilles tendon, elbow, wrist), the importance of a well-fitted shoe suited to the surface, and prevention advice. Reference reviewed on 2026-10-18.
Common Pickleball Injuries and Tips to Prevent Them — Advice from an orthopedic surgeon (Dr. Greg Erickson) on common injuries and how to prevent them. Reference reviewed on 2026-10-18.
Hospital for Special Surgery : conseils de prévention des blessures au pickleball —
The Globe and Mail : conseils d'experts pour choisir ses chaussures de pickleball —
Increasing Incidence of Pickleball Injuries Presenting to US Emergency Departments: A 10-year Epidemiologic Analysis of Mechanisms and Trends — Analysis of 2013-2022 NEISS data on pickleball injuries seen in U.S. emergency departments. Reference reviewed on 2026-10-18.

The information on this site is general and doesn't replace the advice of a doctor, physical therapist or podiatrist, especially if you have pain, an old injury or a particular foot condition.

The site doesn't sell any shoes and doesn't publish a paid ranking: the models mentioned are given for information only.

What Was Verified.

This article draws on 7 sources: 4 official or institutional sources, 1 scientific publication and 2 press articles.

Facts checked against their sources on October 18, 2026.

The method followed: Notre méthode.