Pickleball injuries increase as sport goes mainstream

• They also face problems like tendonitis from repetitive pounding on a hard surface, the Mayo Clinic study — presented in February to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons — found.

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.

• But there are some simple things you can do to prevent them, per Sanj Kakar, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon.

Think of the three P's of prevention, said Kakar.

• Warm up properly by doing long, slow stretches before taking your first swing.
• Use the proper equipment — pickleball paddles are thicker, so you need not grip so hard.
• And consider taking a lesson to make sure you're building on proper form.

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.

• Check with your doctor before you start playing if you have been inactive or if you are injured, as some conditions require prompt medical attention.