Bien Chaussé

Ankle Sprains in Pickleball: Prevention and Response

Posted October 22, 2026 Revised October 22, 2026 4-minute read

By the Bien Chaussé editorial team.

A player rolling their ankles in circles to warm up before a match, at the edge of the court.
Preventing Ankle Sprains. A sprain starts with a foot that rolls during a lateral step or a pivot. Warming up your ankles and calves, wearing a shoe that holds your foot well and playing on a court free of obstacles all reduce the risk. If pain persists or swelling appears, see a doctor. Recommendations from specialty hospitals point the same way.

Welcome to "Ankle Sprains in Pickleball: Preventing and Responding." I'll flag every turn along the way. You'll learn which moves and which gear lower your sprain risk, and when to see a professional. We'll cover these parts in order: a close look at the starting idea, the how-to, and how to check the result.

A Close Look at the Starting Idea

Here's the starting point, so read it carefully. 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). Use that distinction as your reading guide.

Let's set the basic rule. 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. Reread that point slowly before moving on.

Here's another basic rule. The injury mechanisms described for the foot and ankle are running or lunging forward, planting the foot during a pivot, and ankle inversion movements. Keep this point in mind for the parts ahead.

The How-To

I'll walk you through the procedure in the order you should follow it.

  1. In this study, conservative management (immobilization, physical therapy, the RICE protocol) is the most common approach. Dr. Smith recommends a warm-up, stretching, court shoes and, when the ankle is unstable, taping or a brace.
  2. If you sprain an ankle, Mass General Brigham recommends the R.I.C.E. protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation). It also advises against prolonged use of anti-inflammatories, which could limit tendon healing.
  3. An orthopedic surgeon recommends court shoes with lateral support, plus regular strengthening of the shoulders, core and legs, flexibility work (yoga, Pilates), and stopping to rest as soon as pain appears rather than pushing through it.
  4. Correct technique, good foot placement and proper posture put less stress on muscles, tendons and ligaments, according to Dr. Matzkin, cited by Mass General Brigham.
  5. Mass General Brigham recommends a dynamic warm-up before you play (butt kicks, runner's lunges, trunk rotations) and saving static stretching for after the match.

How to Check the Result

Use the following benchmarks to tell the options apart.

  • 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 US emergency departments, fractures account for 32.7% of diagnoses (69.1% of them in women) and sprains or strains for 30.8%. Women have more fractures, men more sprains.
  • In this analysis of US emergency departments, 61.1% of injuries involve people aged 65-80 and 31.3% involve people aged 35-64. The average age of injured players is 64.
  • In the United States, a study presented at the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society in 2024 reports a 6,5-fold increase in pickleball-related foot and ankle injuries between 2019 and 2023.

What to Watch Closely in Practice

Here are the pitfalls I'd like you to keep an eye on.

  • Running shoes have a rounded sole that encourages forward momentum, so they suit pickleball poorly. HSS recommends a flat, stable base.
  • According to podiatrist Sarah Cantin-Langlois, running shoes work for linear movement but don't give you the support and stability you need for pickleball's side-to-side movement.

Before We Wrap Up

We've covered the full route: a close look at the starting idea, the how-to, how to check the result, and what to watch closely in practice. Note the points that speak to you, then come back to them when you need them.

See also

Sources

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 an unusual foot.

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

What We Checked.

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 we followed: Notre méthode.