As Pickleball Booms, Injuries Are Climbing — What Courts (and Players) Need to Know

November 5, 2025

Pickleball is everywhere: parks converted into courts, parks packed at sunrise, and neighborhood groups scheduling drills like a weekend ritual. It’s fun, social, and accessible — which is exactly why so many new players (especially adults 50+) are flocking to it. But with the boom has come an uncomfortable truth: injuries are rising too — sometimes seriously. This isn’t clickbait; it’s what recent research and emergency-department data are showing. Live Science+1

Below I’ll unpack what the data says, why it’s happening, and practical steps AllSport Netting and court owners can take to keep play safe and keep courts open.

What the research and news are finding

Emergency visits are up. Multiple analyses of U.S. emergency-department data (NEISS and related studies) show a sharp increase in pickleball-related injuries over the last few years — in some reports nearly doubling or more since 2020. Most injuries are among players aged 50+, and many result from falls, collisions with fences, or being struck by paddle or ball. ScienceDirect+1
Eye trauma is a worrying trend. Recent cross-sectional studies and press coverage (including medical outlets) highlight a notable rise in ocular injuries — corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, orbital fractures — many caused by fast-moving balls or accidental paddle contact. Ophthalmology researchers are urging awareness and recommending protective eyewear. Live Science+1
Orthopedic and fracture injuries are common. Falls during quick lateral movement or at the non-volley zone frequently lead to fractures, wrist/forearm injuries, sprains, and strains. Some analyses project substantial health-care costs as participation grows. AOAO+1

(Short version: more players = more exposure; older adults + fast change-of-direction + hard surfaces = more injuries.) SpringerOpen

Why injuries are growing — the main drivers

Rapid growth of casual players. Many new players haven’t developed sport-specific footwork, reaction speed, or fall technique. Casual play increases risky situations. Arkansas News
Court environment & equipment. Compact courts, hard surfaces, nearby fences/walls, and crowding increase collision and fall risk. Poorly positioned fencing or missing safety barriers can turn a slip into a fracture. PMC+1
Older demographic. A majority of severe injuries are in players 50+. Age-related balance, bone density, and slower reflexes heighten injury severity. Arkansas News

What courts and facilities can do — practical, evidence-backed measures

These are things AllSport Netting specializes in and can help implement:

1. Install proper protective barrier nets and wind screens

Why: Keeps balls (and sometimes players) from impacting hard fences or adjacent courts and reduces the need for players to chase errant balls into hazardous zones. Research shows falls and collisions against fixtures are common mechanisms of injury. ScienceDirect+1
How AllSport Netting helps: Custom-height perimeter nets, tensioned barrier systems, and shock-absorbing anchoring that reduce impact force.

2. Add paddock/behind-court safety padding and buffer zones

Why: Short buffer zones or hard fencing close to play increase the chance of severe injury on a fall. Increasing clear space and adding padding reduces impact injuries. AOSSM
How: Provide padded fence covers, soft barrier panels, or recommend court layout changes to expand run-off space.

3. Provide signage and player-education materials

Why: Awareness matters. Many ocular injuries are accidental — signs reminding players to wear protective eyewear, watch for overlapping courts, and warm up properly nudge behavior toward safety. Medical societies are already recommending eye protection for high-risk players. Live Science+1
How: AllSport Netting can produce laminated court-side safety signs, downloadable flyers, and QR-coded safety pages for courts to share with players.

4. Create modular spectator barriers and safe viewing areas

Why: Spectators standing too close become obstacles — better-designed viewing zones reduce collisions and errant-ball injuries. ScienceDirect
How: Modular netting and rope systems that direct foot traffic and create safe sideline zones.

5. Maintain courts and net systems regularly

Why: Loose anchors, sagging nets, and uneven court edges are hidden hazards. Regular inspections reduce unexpected failures that can lead to falls. PMC
How: Offer maintenance plans and seasonal checklists.

Player-focused tips you can share with your community

(Quick, practical items courts can print or post on social media)

Wear protective eyewear, especially if you’re 50+. Ophthalmologists recommend it and data shows eye injuries are rising. Live Science
Warm up: dynamic mobility and ankle/balance drills reduce fall risk. SpringerOpen
Use shoes with good lateral support and non-slip soles.
Don’t overcrowd courts — schedule smarter and enforce player limits per court. Crowd-induced distractions equal injuries. ScienceDirect

Resources & further reading (picked for coaches, facility managers, and players)

Cross-sectional/NEISS analyses showing rising pickleball injuries and ocular trauma. PMC+1
AMA News summary on rising eye injuries tied to pickleball. American Medical Association
UC Davis: “Pickleball injuries are on the rise — here are tips to avoid them.” (Player-focused prevention advice.) UC Davis Health
ScienceDirect / national studies describing the near-doubling of ED visits for pickleball-related injuries since 2020. ScienceDirect
Sports Medicine Open: systematic look at injury patterns and predictors in pickleball. SpringerOpen

Final thought — safety doesn’t spoil the fun; it protects it

Pickleball’s growth is a win for community fitness and social connection. But the data is a reminder: growth without infrastructure and education brings avoidable harm. For facility owners and parks departments, small investments in smart netting, padding, signage, and education can dramatically reduce injuries — keep players returning season after season, not to ERs.

If you’d like, AllSport Netting can: