Pickleball enthusiasts are highly active at Pickleball Hub, an indoor facility in Edmonton, where Rob McDonald, 54, engages in the sport with both passion and caution. McDonald, an Edmonton resident, recalls a severe knee injury sustained five years ago during a pickleball tournament, describing it as a “freak accident” that led to extensive damage to his knee ligaments.
Following a grueling three-year recovery period and rehabilitation, McDonald has resumed playing pickleball vigorously, engaging in the sport six times a week for three hours per session. He emphasizes the importance of being mindful of potential injuries, particularly for newcomers to the sport who may not have conditioned their bodies adequately for the unique movements required in pickleball.
The surge in pickleball’s popularity in Canada has not gone unnoticed by medical professionals. Physiotherapist Chad Burden, of Summit Physiotherapy in St. Albert, notes a significant uptick in pickleball-related injuries in recent years. These injuries predominantly include elbow, wrist, lower back, and knee issues, often stemming from overuse and a lack of gradual acclimatization to the sport’s physical demands.
Burden’s observations align with a study published in August 2025 that examined injury patterns among pickleball players in the United States. The study highlighted knee injuries as the most common, followed by thigh, leg, foot, and shoulder injuries. Burden stresses the importance of gradually easing into pickleball, maintaining flexibility, strength training, and improving balance to prevent injuries.
In parallel with the rise in pickleball’s popularity, a study published in October 2025 in JAMA Ophthalmology draws attention to a concerning increase in eye injuries associated with the sport. Optometrist Matt Sobolewski, owner of Helio Optometry in Edmonton, has witnessed a surge in blunt force injuries and corneal abrasions among pickleball players in recent years. Sobolewski emphasizes the necessity of wearing protective eyewear to mitigate the risk of eye injuries, underscoring the importance of proactive prevention measures.
Rita Salter, a retired pickleball enthusiast, credits her eyewear for preventing a potentially serious eye injury during gameplay. Salter emphasizes the significance of incorporating weightlifting and stretching routines into her exercise regimen to maintain overall fitness and reduce the risk of injuries while playing pickleball.