Pickleball-related bone fractures increased by 200% over 20 years, coinciding with a 4.8M to 8.9M player count rise.

Pickleball, a fast-growing sport in the US, has seen a significant increase in serious injuries among its players. According to an analysis of a large government injury database, bone fractures related to pickleball have increased by 200% over the last 20 years. The sport, which uses a perforated plastic ball and wooden paddles on a court the size of a badminton court, has seen its player count rise from 4.8 million in 2021 to 8.9 million in 2023. The overall rate of injuries is likely higher, as the analysis only examined fractures and not other common injuries like sprained ankles, knee damage, rotator cuff injuries, worsening of arthritis, or Achilles tendon issues.

February 12, 2024
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