Why Ankle and Foot Injuries Are Rising in Pickleball
Posted October 22, 2026 Revised October 22, 2026 4-minute read
By the Bien Chaussé editorial team.
Let me open "Why Ankle and Foot Injuries Are Rising in Pickleball" by telling you how I'll proceed. You'll learn what the published data show about foot and ankle injuries, and how to read those numbers with perspective. The talk breaks down like this: what the data show in practice, understanding the mechanism in brief, and the benchmarks for deciding.
What the Data Show in Practice
In the records, in this study, 57 patients had surgery, most often to repair the Achilles tendon.
On to the reference values: 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.
The principle to set down: Mass General Brigham distinguishes overuse injuries (elbow and Achilles tendinopathy) from acute traumatic injuries caused by a fall or a sudden change of direction (meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament tears). Keep that idea in the background as we go on.
On to the reference values: the estimated number of pickleball injuries treated in US emergency departments rose from 611 in 2013 to 13,690 in 2022, a more than 22-fold increase.
Understanding the Mechanism in Brief
Let's set the basic rule: the injury mechanisms described for the foot and ankle are running or lunging forward, a planted foot during a pivot, and ankle inversion movements.
Start with this foundation: an ankle sprain happens during a sudden change of direction, when 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 idea in the background as we go on.
Benchmarks for Deciding
Here's the reading grid I suggest you apply.
- The podiatrist recommends matching the sole to the surface — a gym's wood 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, sturdy sole works to keep you from tripping and falling.
What to Watch Closely in Practice
Keep these cautions in mind before we go further.
- According to podiatrist Sarah Cantin-Langlois, running shoes suit linear motion but don't offer the support and stability pickleball's lateral movements demand.
- Running shoes, with a rounded sole that encourages forward momentum, are a poor fit for pickleball. HSS recommends a flat, stable base.
Which Injuries Are Most Common?
Look at this figure: in this study (198 injuries, average age 58), Achilles tendon rupture is the most common diagnosis, with 78 cases, and about 80% of injuries are traumatic.
Let's continue: 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.
On to the reference values: 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.
Who Is Hit Hardest?
Look at this figure: 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.
Before We Part
At the end of this talk, here are the stages we've covered: what the data show in practice, understanding the mechanism in brief, the benchmarks for deciding, and what to watch closely in practice. Keep this outline handy to find your way at your own pace.
See also
- Pickleball Shoes and Injuries: What the Studies Say — Shoes, sprains and prevention. This page covers the guiding principles, the articles to explore, how to get started and what sets the options apart.
- How Good Are Pickleball Injury Studies? Reading a Scoping Review — You'll learn to tell a scoping review from a clinical study and to gauge how solid the figures cited on pickleball injuries are.
- Ankle Sprains in Pickleball: Prevention and Response — You'll learn which moves and gear lower your ankle sprain risk, and when to see a doctor. This page covers the core idea up close, then the how-to.
- Fatigue, Overuse and Foot Comfort: Adapting Your Play — You'll learn to spot an overuse injury and adjust how often you play, how much you rest and your shoes. This guide covers where to start.
Sources
- 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 tips. Source access checked on 2026-10-18.
- 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 US emergency departments. Source access checked on 2026-10-18.
- Preventing foot and ankle injuries in pickleball — Health information page from a medical group on foot and ankle injuries in pickleball. Source access checked on 2026-10-18.
- The Globe and Mail : conseils d'experts pour choisir ses chaussures de pickleball —
- Hospital for Special Surgery : conseils de prévention des blessures au pickleball —
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 shoes or publish paid rankings: the models mentioned are for information only.
What We Verified.
This article draws on 6 sources: 3 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.