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A strain involves a ligament and most commonly occurs on uneven terrain, stepping on a stray ball or another player’s foot. The pain is usually felt on the outside of the ankle and there may or may not be immediate swelling. Swelling is not a sign of severity. 

(back of the ankle) 

This involves a tendon or muscle group; the most common cause is a stop-and-go action or a sudden change of direction. This injury is very common in people over age 40. There is a sudden snapping feeling or a pain like being hit in the back of the leg. A rupture is obvious. There will be an indentation in the Achilles tendon area. The person cannot walk and needs immediate attention. 

 Pain occurs on the bottom of the heel with every step. This is considered an overuse injury and usually occurs over a period of time. The best treatment is rest and using a heel cup or donut during play.

A sprain occurs by twisting or rotation of the knee. The most common is a medial collateral sprain and the pain is on the inside of the knee, just to the side of the knee cap. 

 The most common is a hamstring strain, generally caused by overextending or reaching to return a ball. Again, the most serious will show a sign of an indentation where the tear occurred. 

  The most common cause is going backward for a ball, falling and landing on an extended arm. Learning to roll out of a fall and not extending your arm to land can help avoid this injury. 

This is often caused by overuse, too many overheads, playing too long, etc. It can also occur on a single overhead smash in which the rotator cuff muscles (top of the shoulder) are strained.  

 Causes pain when the elbow is overused. Repeated motions like swinging a pickleball paddle can continue to put stress on the elbow over time. If you play pickleball with improper form or training, you're at a higher risk of a potential injury, as poor form can lead to small tears in the elbow's tendons. Pickleball elbow can cause soreness near and around the elbow and aching, stiffness and pain that worsens with movement.

There is a misconception that you use heat for strains and ice for sprains. Not True! Use ice for immediate treatment of injuries. Ice, compression, and elevation should be used first for all injuries. Apply ice for a minimum of 15 minutes or until numb. Remove until the feeling is back and then replace the ice. Remember: ice, compression, and elevation for a period of 24-72 hours. 

Heat should never be applied immediately to an injury (sprains or strains). It should only be applied after 24-72 hours. 

Heat therapy works by improving circulation and blood flow to a particular area due to increased temperature. Increasing the temperature of the afflicted area even slightly can soothe discomfort and increase muscle flexibility. Heat therapy can relax and soothe muscles and heal damaged tissue.

  It is always best to seek the advice of a doctor for any injury, especially for fractures, head injuries, eye injuries, 3rd-degree sprains, and strains, etc. Call 911 for any serious injury.

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