From overuse traumas such as "pickleball elbow" to sprains and even fractures, medical personnel are seeing more injuries as Washington's official state sport becomes mainstream, according to a study earlier this year.
Why it matters: Although pickleball has smaller courts and may require less ball chasing, players can still get traumatic injuries, like broken wrists and ankles.
By the numbers: Nearly 87% of all reported pickleball-related injuries occurred in participants over age 50, per another study published this year in Scientific Research.
Think of the three P's of prevention, said Kakar.
Yes, but: Once injured, players should quickly apply the principles of RICE — rest, ice, compression and elevation to reduce swelling, inflammation and pain, per Seattle's Foot and Ankle Center of Lake City.