Are Your Injuries In A Pickle?

We’re talking about the sports obsession of Pickleball. The sport, a combination of ping-pong, badminton, and tennis, has caught on in a big way, particularly in Florida where retirees seek to remain active. Pickleball experienced a surge in popularity over the past ten years in our area. Today over 2.5 million Americans play the game.

So how did it all begin? In 1965, three Bainbridge Island (Seattle), WA dads were in the backyard watching their sons play. The game was created out of boredom when both kids and dads thought it would be fun to invent a new sport. What would they name it? While the kids were hitting a whiffle ball, dad Barney McCallum’s cocker spaniel took chase to retrieve the ball. The name of the dog? Why, Pickles of course, thus the name Pickleball.

It’s a fun story and a good workout, however it may result in frequent injuries. Not a week goes by where we don’t see at least one Pickleball trauma from the game. The most common are ankle injuries, followed by Achilles tendon, heel, knee, hamstring, and shoulder injuries. Most of these are caused as with any other sport: lack of protection and improper warm-up.

If you’re an enthusiast, here are some tips to keep you safe on the court:

Pickleball provides a good cardio workout and improves agility which is great for maintaining balance. If you do experience sore muscles and minor strains, a simple ice pack and rest may do the trick for you to recover quickly. More serious injuries many require the attention of a physician. The sports medicine physicians at 360 Orthopedics treat injuries at all three of our locations and offer same/next day appointments when needed. Appointments may be made via the website www.360-orthopedics.com or by calling 941-951-2663.

Like us on FacebookTwitter

You Might Also Enjoy...

7 Key Benefits of Physical Therapy for Joint Pain

Joint pain occurs from both acute injuries and degenerative conditions like arthritis. Though in pain, controlled movement of the joint may be a crucial part of your recovery. Physical therapy offers a range of benefits to relieve your discomfort.

5 Signs It May Be Time to Consider a Hip Replacement

While joint replacement surgery can be life changing, it’s still a major event that requires careful planning. Timing a hip replacement demands the balance of a range of factors, usually decided in discussions between patient and surgeon.

I've Been Hurt on the Job: What Should I Do Now?

No one looks forward to being hurt on the job. In Florida, most employers purchase worker’s compensation insurance coverage to protect their employees in the event of an accident. A claim can cover lost wages and medical care.

How Can I Help Prepare My Child for an MRI?

Having a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan isn’t an everyday experience. The machine may seem more movie set than medical equipment, with a soundtrack of loud mechanical noises. It can be a frightening experience for a child.