woman playing pickleball

With world-renowned experts dedicated to providing patients with specialized orthopaedic and sports medicine care, Carrell Clinic is your source for all the patient-centered bone, joint, and muscle care a pickleball player could need.

Playing sports comes with its health benefits as well as injury risks, and pickleball is no different. Like any athlete, every pickleball player has unique needs when it comes to playing at their best. Tending to these needs takes an expert who has the knowledge and experience to provide the most effective treatment suited to every individual. 

When it comes to sports medicine, athletes are the central focus. A sports medicine doctor considers an athlete’s performance goals as a primary factor in planning the athlete’s care and the methods offered. After an injury, it becomes essential for pickleball players to find the right sports medicine doctor to get back to the highest level of play possible. 

At Carrell Clinic, our pickleball injury experts are board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists. They are highly skilled at evaluating, diagnosing, and providing treatment for bone, joint, muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries and conditions. Our experts will team up with you, finding the best possible solution to your pain or limitation, so you can get back to an active, healthy life.

Our pickleball injury experts at Carrell Clinic are proud to be Pickleball Doctors. Providing expert tips for injury prevention, performance, and more, Pickleball Doctors is a group of elite doctors dedicated to helping you stay on—and dominate—the pickleball court.

More Pickleball Tips

Prepare for Pickleball Play & Avoid Injury

Pickleball players of all levels are at risk of injury on the court but they are preventable by working off the court. Preparing for your next match can be as simple as implementing strength training, conditioning, and targeted stretches. You can also take it to the next step by exploring different expertly designed programs for your next workout or warm-up.

The Pickleball 10 to Win, from Texas’s leaders in treating pickleball injuries at Carrell Clinic, is your complete workout program to refine your pickleball play. By using this program, you can improve your game and help prevent injury.
 

Pickleball 10 to Win

With these 10 targeted exercises, you can improve your flexibility, agility, strength, and endurance to win on the court and stay on the court.

BEAR HUGS

Stand straight or lie on your back and open up your arms, pulling your shoulders back to broaden your chest. Bring your arms back in, wrapping them around your chest, and pat the back of your shoulders. Repeat quickly 20 times.

bear hug illustration

For the Win: Do some resistance bear hugs. Hold a resistance band around your back. Then, reach your arms out in front of you like you are hugging someone. Hold for 3 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

POGO HOPS

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly, but keep your posture straight. Keep your feet together and jump up and down in place. Repeat for 30 seconds.

pogo hops guide

For the Win: Do some single-leg hops. Balance on one leg and hop in place for 30 seconds. Repeat while balancing on your other leg. For better agility training, use a line to hop over from left to right.

SIDE-LYING LEG LIFTS

Lie on your side with your legs straight and one leg on top of the other. Bend your knees slightly and move your top leg toward the sky or ceiling. Lift your leg slowly and lower it slowly. Repeat 10 times on each side. 

side-lying leg lifts guide

For the Win: Try resistance leg lifts! While lying on your side, place a resistance band around your legs and above your knees while you complete your leg lifts. For more of a challenge, place the band around your ankles.

SINGLE-LEG BALANCE

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and lift one foot off the ground. If you need, hold your arms out to help you balance. Hold this position for up to a minute or as long as you can and repeat on the other side.

single leg balance guide

For the Win: Do single-leg extensions. Stand on one foot. Lift your other leg, extending it behind you, in front of you, and off to the side. Center your leg before each extension. Repeat 15 times on each side.

STANDING QUAD STRETCH

Stand on one foot and pull the other behind you, holding the ankle. If you need, hold onto something for balance. Pull your heel toward your buttocks, and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on each side. 

standing quad stretch guide

For the Win: Do kneeling quad stretches. Kneel on one knee with the opposite foot planted flat in front of you. Push your hips forward and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat for 3 sets on each side.

ROWS

Put a resistance band around a stable surface, like a tree or fence, holding the band in each hand. Stand facing the band with your feet hip-width apart. Pull the band toward you, squeezing your shoulder blades. Return to your starting position. Repeat 15 times.

rows guide

For the Win: Do some bodyweight rows. Instead of resistance bands, use your body weight. Find a stable horizontal surface, such as a table or bar, and lie underneath it, grasping the surface firmly with both hands. Pull yourself up then lower yourself back down. Repeat 15 times.

PLANKS

Put your hands and knees on the ground, and then extend your legs behind you. Support your weight on your forearms and toes. Keep your body straight from your head to your heels. Hold this position as long as you can.

planks guide

For the Win: Try side planks with resistance in your arms. Support your weight on one foot and forearm. Hold a resistance band in both hands, and extend your free arm toward the sky or ceiling. Repeat 10 times on each side.

HEEL RAISES

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly lift your heels off the ground, rising up onto the balls of your feet. Pause as you get to your tip-toe position, then lower your heels slowly back down to the ground. Repeat 20 times.

heel raises guide

For the Win: Try single-leg heel raises. Instead of using both feet, lift one foot off the ground while putting your weight on the other foot and lifting that heel up. Repeat 20 times on each side.
 

SQUATS

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your hips down and back as if you are sitting down in a chair. Keep your weight on your heels. Return to a standing position. Repeat 10 times.

squats guide

For the Win: Try single-leg squats. Instead of two feet down as you squat, lift one foot off the ground and extend it in front of you as you lower your hips and return to a standing position. Repeat 10 times on each side.

LUNGES

Stand with feet hip-width apart. Take a big step forward with one foot. Lower your hips down until your front knee is bent at a 90-degree angle. Keep your weight on your front heel. Push off your front foot to return to a standing position. Repeat 10 times on each side.

lunges guide

For the Win: Do backward and side lunges. For backward lunges, take a big step backward, lower, and push off your back foot to return to standing. For side lunges, take a step out to the side, lower yourself on that side, and push back up from that foot to return to standing.

When to Be Seen

If you are in pain, stop training or playing pickleball. Without the proper care and rest, some injuries can keep you off the court for good. To avoid making your injury worse, you should be seen by an orthopaedic specialist right away. 

Our specialists have the training and experience to precisely diagnose and understand what the most effective treatment plan is for your injury. Request or schedule appointment online or call (214) 220-2468 to consult with one of our specialty-trained sports medicine doctors if you experience:

  • Popping sound or sensation in your arm, hip, shoulder, back, or knee after falling
  • An inability to bear weight on your foot, ankle, knee, or leg
  • Pain in a muscle or joint that does not go away with rest and ice
  • Forearm pain when holding your pickleball paddle
  • Pain in your shoulder, back, neck, or arm when swinging your pickleball paddle
  • Sudden and persistent back, arm, or leg pain in a specific area after playing, especially if it is tender and/or warm to the touch

Common pickleball injuries include:

  • Ankle sprains
  • Back and hamstring strains
  • Golfer’s and tennis elbow
  • Herniated or slipped disc
  • Knee cartilage and tendon injuries
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Rotator cuff injuries

Who to See

Photo: Dr. Eugene Curry
Eugene E. Curry, M.D.

Eugene E. Curry, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle and sports medicine. His expertise includes adult reconstruction of the lower extremity, Achilles tendon conditions, minimally invasive surgery, foot and ankle arthroscopy, deformity correction, tendon transfers, ruptured tendon reconstruction, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis, and diabetes. Dr. Curry co-authored a book chapter on tendon transfers in the lower extremity has presented original research papers nationally, and has published orthopaedic journal articles. Dr. Curry serves as a consultant to the Dallas Cowboys Football Team, the Southern Methodist University Athletic Department, and the Dallas Mavericks Basketball Team. 

Dr. Worrell BGWEB
Daniel A. Worrel, M.D.

Daniel A. Worrel, M.D. is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in elbow, shoulder, and knee, treating sports injuries and fractures of the upper extremity. He performs arthroscopic surgery, reconstructive (ligament reconstruction and instability) surgery, as well as arthroplasty (joint replacement). In addition to treating the athletes of the Dallas Mavericks and SMU, Dr. Worrel treats athletes at all levels. He has provided coverage for The Byron Nelson Classic since 2006, The Cotton Bowl, as well as professional rodeo, baseball, and hockey.

Dr. Worrel believes very strongly in the importance of an open and honest patient-physician relationship and feels knowledgeable patients make the best decisions about their own treatment. Dr. Worrel feels it is his responsibility to make sure patients are well informed about their conditions and the multiple choices of treatment.

Photo: Dr. Andrew Clavenna
Andrew L. Clavenna, M.D.

Andrew L. Clavenna, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery and sports medicine. His expertise includes minimally invasive spine surgery, artificial disc replacement (disc arthroplasty), spinal navigation, injections, sports-spine injuries, degenerative spine disorders, and deformity management involving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He takes pride in his involvement with research that advances spine surgery techniques and treatments. Dr. Clavenna is a spine consultant for the Dallas Cowboys and Southern Methodist University Athletics.

Photo: Dr. Mark Muller
Mark S. Muller, M.D.

Mark S. Muller, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports-related injuries of the knee, hip, and shoulder. His expertise includes knee replacement and knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, and ankle arthroscopy. He has published in multiple journals and presented at many local and national meetings. Dr. Muller served in the Air Force as medical support on multiple levels, including medical response to chemical and biologic weapons, commanding medical operations on multiple clandestine deployments, and as a military orthopaedic surgeon in California for two years. He is a team physician for the Dallas Cowboys and has previously served as the head team physician for the Dallas Stars.

Photo: Dr. Todd Moen
Todd C. Moen, M.D.

Todd C. Moen, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the shoulder, elbow, and sports medicine. His expertise includes shoulder arthroscopy, replacement, and reconstruction and revision as well as shoulder fractures. Dr. Moen has published multiple scientific papers on a variety of topics in the orthopaedic literature and has presented his research nationally. He is also the author of multiple textbook chapters and review articles on the surgical care of the shoulder and is currently a reviewer for multiple well-known orthopaedic journals. Dr. Moen has assisted in the medical care of athletes from the Chicago Cubs, Columbia University, Chicago Public Schools, and North Bergen, New Jersey High School.

Photo: Dr. Carr Vineyard
J. Carr Vineyard, M.D.

J. Carr Vineyard, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle, sports medicine, and orthopaedic trauma. His expertise includes ankle replacement, arthritis, sports-related injuries, Achilles tendon disorders, avascular necrosis, bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, and flat feet as well as sports-related and traumatic injuries to the hip, knee, ankle, and foot, focusing on minimally invasive and arthroscopic techniques. As a well-respected doctor in his field, he has been asked by his colleagues to write several book chapters on disorders of the foot and ankle and has also published several scientific studies in top industry journals.

J. Field Scovell, III, M.D. photo
J. Field Scovell, III, M.D.

J. Field Scovell, III, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and the shoulder. His expertise includes shoulder tendon surgery, rotator cuff injuries, labrum surgery, ACL repair, minimally invasive shoulder and knee repair, and total shoulder replacement. Dr. Scovell’s inspiration to go into sports medicine as a career stems from his exposure to the field when he was injured as a youth. He served as a team physician for Texas Tech University, including women’s soccer and the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Jason S. Klein, M.D.
Jason S. Klein, M.D.

Jason S. Klein, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the shoulder and elbow. His expertise includes rotator cuff repair, labral repair, elbow tendon repair, shoulder and elbow fracture fixation, anatomic total shoulder and reverse total shoulder replacement, shoulder and elbow instability, arthritis of the shoulder and elbow, trauma, shoulder and elbow fractures, clavicle injuries, and shoulder separation. He has published a number of papers within the field of shoulder and elbow and presented his research at conferences across the country.

Photo: Holt S. Cutler, M.D.
Holt S. Cutler, M.D.

Holt S. Cutler, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the comprehensive management of shoulder and elbow disorders and injuries. His expertise includes shoulder replacement surgery, treatment of rotator cuff disorders, shoulder arthroscopy, shoulder instability, labral repair, shoulder separation, tendon injuries, sports-related injuries, elbow injuries, and upper extremity trauma. He received multiple awards for his hard work and expertise, including the Vert Mooney Award for Academic Achievement, the G. Truett James Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Joseph P. Iannotti Award for Excellence in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.

Photo: Tyler R. Youngman, M.D.
Tyler R. Youngman, M.D.

Dr. Tyler Youngman is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at Carrell Clinic. He specializes in primary, complex, and revision hip and knee replacement, hip preservation, including periacetabular osteotomy, and treatment of fractures, dislocations, and infections around the knee and hip. He has a particular interest in anterior hip replacement, robotic-assisted or computer-navigated surgeries, and hip preservation.

Patient-Centered Care for Pickleball Injuries & Conditions

In order to meet your fitness, health, and performance goals to the best of your ability after an injury, it is important to seek effective treatment from a skilled doctor. Our world-renowned pickleball injury experts at Carrell Clinic have the knowledge and experience to provide you with the care and treatment you need and deserve. Our team will work closely with you and are committed to offering the highest level of care possible so that you can get back to an active, healthy life.

With comprehensive knowledge and experience in the latest treatments and protocols, our doctors are committed to providing you with the best treatment for your needs, and that means always recommending conservative, nonsurgical care plans before suggesting surgery. If surgery is necessary, our doctors are skilled in the latest minimally invasive techniques to ensure that athletes can safely return to their sports and become active once again.

Common Pickleball Injuries & Treatments

We offer complete, unique care programs for every pickleball player we treat. See the list below for some of the common injuries pickleball players experience as well as treatments offered by our pickleball injury experts. To learn more, click the associated link provided.

Making Spine Surgery Minimally Invasive

Minimally invasive spine procedures offer a diverse range of options for individuals seeking relief from pain. These procedures include minimally invasive spinal decompression, fusion, compression fracture care, and even disc replacement, all focused on relieving pain related to the spinal cord.

Minimally invasive spine procedures encompass a range of techniques designed to alleviate different spine-related issues. These procedures are customized to address specific conditions and their associated symptoms.

Who Needs Spine Fusion?

When it comes to persistent back pain caused by conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or herniated discs, spine fusion is a surgical option that can provide much-needed relief. This procedure involves the fusion of two or more vertebrae in the spine, stabilizing the affected area and reducing pain. 

Conditions treated with spine fusion:

What You Need to Know About Sciatica

Over time, our bodies can undergo changes due to various factors. One common phenomenon is the development of sciatica, a condition resulting from injury or pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back through the hips and down each leg.

Common symptoms associated with sciatica include:

What Are Overuse Injuries?

While acute injuries like wrist fractures, ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations, and hamstring strains typically result from a single traumatic event, overuse injuries develop gradually and are more subtle. They occur due to repetitive microtrauma to the tendons, bones, and joints. Common examples include tennis elbow, swimmer's shoulder, runner's knee, jumper's knee, Achilles tendinitis, and shin splints.

In most sports and activities, overuse injuries are both prevalent and challenging to diagnose and treat.

Taking On an Achilles Tendon Rupture

As the body's largest tendon, the Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in walking, running, and jumping. However, when the tendon stretches beyond its limit, it can rupture, resulting in a partial or complete tear. This typically occurs due to a sudden and forceful movement, such as jumping, pivoting, or quick changes in direction. It can also happen during trips or falls.

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