Evaluation of Pickleball-Related Injuries at a Single Institution From 2017 to 2022.

Abstract

Background: Pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and participation has increased 3-fold throughout the study period.

Purpose/hypothesis: This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of pickleball-related injuries, detailing the descriptive data, injury patterns, and health care utilization at a single center over 6 years. It was hypothesized that there would be a substantial increase in pickleball-related injuries during the study period, particularly with increasing age, along with increased orthopaedic visits for pickleball-related injuries.

Study design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: We systematically queried the Electronic Health Record System at a single institution from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, to identify patients with injuries associated with pickleball participation. Data were collected on descriptive data, injury characteristics, and health care utilization.

Results: Pickleball injuries were confirmed in 487 patients, accounting for a total of 618 injuries. Patient age ranged from 12 to 82 years (mean, 62 years), and 53% of injuries occurred in male patients. The number of injuries increased 6.8-fold from 2017 to 2022. Overall, soft tissue strain or rupture (n = 296; 47.9%) was the most common injury category, followed by arthritis-related pain (n = 62; 10%) and fracture (n = 57; 9.2%). However, age-stratified analysis revealed a shift toward fractures and arthritis-related pain in patients >60 years. Women were 2 times more likely to sustain fractures. Injuries to the rotator cuff were most commonly seen (n = 67, 11%), followed by those to the back (n = 48; 7.8%) and calf (n = 35; 5.6%). Most patients (n = 426; 87%) were initially evaluated by a nonorthopaedic provider, with orthopaedic/sports medicine providers seeing 63% of patients.

Conclusion: Our institution observed a 6.8-fold increase in pickleball-related injuries from 2017 to 2022, which far outpaces the reported increase in pickleball participation nationally. Women >60 years were found to be at the highest risk of injury and were more likely to sustain fractures. Most injuries were musculoskeletal related, with soft tissue injury occurring most commonly in patients <60 years and fractures more commonly seen in patients >60 years.