As Pickleball Popularity Surges, So Do Injuries: Dignity Health Offers Expert Care and Prevention Tips

Arroyo Grande, CA —August 5, 2025 — Pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, has seen a remarkable increase in participation, with an estimated 22.3 million players in 2024—a 150% jump from previous years. However, this surge has been accompanied by a significant rise in related injuries, particularly among older adults.

According to a recent study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine in 2024, approximately 90% of pickleball-related injuries occur in individuals over the age of 50, with common injuries including sprains, strains, and fractures. Notably, fractures linked to pickleball have increased 90-fold from 2002 to 2022, with the majority occurring in players aged 60 to 69.

“Pickleball is a fantastic way to stay active, especially for older adults, but like any physical activity, it comes with risks—especially if players aren’t properly conditioned or warmed up,” said Dr. Jonathan Fow, an orthopedic surgeon with Dignity Health in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo. “We’re seeing more cases of knee injuries, shoulder strains, and even hip fractures in patients who jumped into the sport too quickly.”

To help players stay safe on the court, Dr. Fow recommends the following injury prevention tips:

• Warm Up First: Gentle stretching and 5–10 minutes of light cardio can prepare muscles and joints. Dynamic Stretching before you play and static stretching after.
• Wear Proper Footwear: Court shoes with good lateral support help prevent ankle injuries.
• Build Strength and Balance: Strength training and balance exercises reduce the risk of falls and overuse injuries.
• Take Breaks: Rest between games in the shade, if possible, and stay hydrated to maintain performance and prevent fatigue-related and heat-related injuries.
• Listen to Your Body: Don’t ignore pain. Early attention to discomfort can prevent more serious issues.

Dignity Health’s orthopedic surgery and sports medicine team is equipped to provide comprehensive care for pickleball-related injuries, offering services ranging from advanced imaging and diagnostics to minimally invasive surgical procedures and personalized rehabilitation programs.

For more information about Dignity Health’s orthopedic services, visit our website. We can schedule a media interview with Dr. Fow as well. Please reach out to [email protected].

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About Pacific Central Coast Health Centers
A service of Dignity Health, Pacific Central Coast Health Centers (PHC) is a non-profit Community clinic organization comprised of nearly 50 health centers located along the coast primarily from Templeton to Ventura and also in Bakersfield. Our experienced physicians and advanced practice providers offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services. PHC is a part of Dignity Health Central Coast’s award-winning network of outstanding hospitals, urgent cares, imaging centers, laboratories, and post acute services. 

About Dignity Health California 
Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. 

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.