In recent years, Pickleball has developed rapidly in Vietnam, attracting a large number of players thanks to its relatively simple gameplay, not too high cost, suitable for many ages and entertainment value.
However, besides the health benefits, the number of people who suffer injuries when playing Pickleball also tends to increase. According to MSc.BS Pham Son Tung, Department of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery and Sports Medicine, E Hospital, many people mistakenly think this is a light sport.
Notably, most players today are middle-aged or have just returned to training after a long period of little exercise. When muscles, tendons and joints have not adapted to the intensity of exercise, they often encounter the following injury risks:
Ankle sprains
This is one of the common injuries when playing Pickleball, often occurring due to moving sideways too quickly, landing in the wrong position, using inappropriate shoes or slippery fields, with obstacles.
People with sprains often experience pain and rapid swelling on the outside of the ankle after a sprained ankle. Many cases subjectively assume that they only have a "light sprain" and continue to play. If not treated properly, the injury can lead to an instability of the ankle, recurring many times.
Knee pain, acrotic cartilage damage
Rotating, changing direction and stopping suddenly causes the knee joint to bear a heavy load. Players may experience patellar tendinitis, acrotic cartilage damage, or even ligament damage.
In people over 45 years old, the chêm cartilage has undergone a natural aging process, so even rotating the body in the wrong position can cause the chêm cartilage to tear.
Shoulder rotation vein inflammation
Serving, hitting the ball over the head or hitting the ball make the coiled tendon group have to work continuously. If you continue to play when the shoulder is already painful, prolonged inflammation can progress to tendon tears, especially in middle-aged and elderly people.
Muscle strain, calf muscle tears
Players may experience sudden sharp pain in the calves, difficulty walking or tiptoeing. Mild cases may only be muscle strain, but if severe pain or bruising is severe, it is necessary to see a doctor to rule out muscle tears or Achilles tendon damage.
Pickleball brings many health benefits if practiced appropriately. However, players, especially middle-aged and newcomers, need to warm up carefully, increase exercise intensity gradually and pay attention to abnormal signs to limit the risk of injury.
