Pickleball vs padel – injuries & prevention!

Padel and pickleball are fun – but both can leave you with aches and strains or even “tennis elbow” if you’re not careful! DR KEVIN YIK from Elite Orthopaedics compares the most common injuries in pickleball vs padel and shares tips to stay safe while you play.

The burgeoning popularity of pickleball and padel is undeniable. These dynamic racquet sports offer accessibility, strategic gameplay and social engagement, drawing in a diverse crowd. However, the demands of these sports can lead to a spectrum of injuries. Recognising them and implementing preventative measures can keep you on the court and away from your doctor.

Pickleball, with its smaller court, lighter paddle and hollow ball, demands quick reflexes, agility and repetitive wrist and elbow action. It largely involves underarm strokes and volleys. Padel, best described as a mix of squash and tennis, is played within enclosed walls with a heavier racket and depressurised tennis balls. It involves explosive movements in all directions and a wide variety of strokes, including overhead smashes. These mechanics put stress on different parts of the body, creating characteristic injury patterns.

Pickleball vs padel: elbow injuries

One of the most common injuries in both pickleball and padel is lateral epicondylitis, or “tennis elbow”. This affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow due to repetitive wrist extension and backhand strokes. Medial epicondylitis, or “golfer’s elbow”, results from repetitive wrist flexion and forehand strokes, causing pain on the inside of the elbow. Comparing pickleball vs padel, the latter with its heavier racket and ball is more likely to cause these elbow injuries.

Pickleball vs padel: shoulder injuries

Shoulder injuries are also common, particularly rotator cuff tears and subacromial impingement syndrome. The overhead strokes in padel – like bajada, bandeja and vibora – plus forceful drives and volleys in pickleball place considerable stress on the shoulder tendons. Pain when lifting the arm overhead or reaching behind the back may signal these injuries.

Pickleball vs padel: lower limb injuries

Ankle sprains are some of the most common injuries in both pickleball and padel, thanks to the sudden changes in direction, especially in players not wearing proper footwear. Achilles tendon injuries, from sprains to complete tears, are often seen in “weekend warriors” who have recently taken up these sports. Sharp, mechanical pain at the back of your heel may be a symptom of these injuries.

Knee injuries, such as patellar tendinitis and meniscus tears, can result from constant start-stop, twisting and bending movements. Comparing pickleball vs padel, the former, due to its low bounce height, tends to cause more meniscus tears especially in players over 40. Pain or swelling in the knee may be a symptom. Patella tendinitis, where there is inflammation of the patella tendon, often happens due to an increase in exercise intensity or frequency.

How to prevent these common injuries

A proper five-to-ten-minute warm-up makes all the difference. Start with light cardio to increase blood flow and raise your core temperature, like a jog or jumping jacks. Then add stretches that mimic gameplay: arm circles for shoulders, wrist flexion and rotation for elbows, high kicks for hips and calf raises and stretches for the Achilles.

Follow these with sport-specific movements: a few minutes of dinking in pickleball or light wall volleys in padel. This phased approach prepares your body for the intensity of the game, reducing the risk of injury. Good footwear with stability and grip is essential, as is cooling down with stretches.

Finally, listen to your body. Rest when needed and address pain early to avoid small problems escalating into serious injuries. Consult a trained healthcare professional or visit us at Elite Orthopaedics if you have any of the above mentioned symptoms.

About the doctor

Dr Kevin Yik is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in orthopaedic trauma, plus shoulder and elbow surgery, including complex fracture fixation, arthroscopy and joint replacement.

Elite Orthopaedics is at Gleneagles Medical Centre and Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre.
6312 4110 | enquiries@eliteortho.com.sg | eliteorthopaedics.com

This article on the most common injuries in pickleball vs padel like tennis elbow first appeared in the October 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

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