Colorado's Pickleball Treatment Leaders
BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine is proud to support pickleball players throughout Colorado with expert orthopedic and sports medicine care. Whether you play recreationally or compete regularly, our pickleball doctors are dedicated to helping you stay active, recover from injuries, and continue enjoying one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
Pickleball combines quick reflexes, rapid directional changes, and repetitive paddle swings. While these elements make the sport exciting, they can also place stress on muscles, joints, and tendons. Because every player’s body and playing style are different, injuries require careful evaluation and personalized treatment from doctors who understand the physical demands of the game.
Sports medicine focuses on helping athletes recover safely while protecting long-term joint health. Factors such as your level of play and goals for returning to activity play a role in shaping the right treatment plan. For pickleball players, partnering with an experienced orthopedic team can help restore mobility and confidence after an injury.
At BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine, our doctors regularly treat injuries related to pickleball and other racket and paddle sports. Using advanced diagnostics and modern treatment techniques, our team develops individualized care plans designed to relieve pain, restore strength, and help you return to the court as safely and quickly as possible.
Our pickleball injury specialists at BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine are proud to be Pickleball Doctors. Offering 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.
Prepare for Pickleball Play & Help Prevent Injuries
Playing well on the pickleball court begins with preparing your body off the court. Conditioning programs that focus on flexibility, strength, and balance can help protect joints and muscles while improving overall athletic performance.
Adding a proper warm-up and targeted strengthening exercises to your routine can increase endurance, improve agility, and support better movement patterns during play. These strategies not only enhance performance but can also reduce the risk of common sports injuries. See our Pickleball 10 to Win routine below for exercises designed to build strength and flexibility while keeping you ready for your next match.
Pickleball 10 to Win
These 10 carefully selected exercises help improve strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance so players can perform at their best while lowering the likelihood of injury.
Prevention Exercises
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 See a Doctor for a Pickleball Injury
Pain during or after pickleball should never be ignored. Continuing to play while injured may worsen symptoms and delay recovery. If you experience any of the following signs, it is important to seek evaluation from a sports medicine doctor.
- A fall followed by a popping sound or sudden pain in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hip, knee, or back
- Difficulty putting weight on the foot, ankle, knee, or leg
- Muscle or joint pain that continues despite rest and ice
- Pain in the hand, wrist, or forearm when gripping a paddle
- Shoulder, neck, or upper back pain when swinging
- Sharp or persistent pain in one area that is swollen, tender, or warm
Our specialists frequently treat injuries that occur during pickleball play, including:
- Back strains and muscle injuries
- Elbow overuse injuries such as tennis, golfer’s, or pickleball elbow
- Fractures
- Hamstring strains
- Herniated discs
- Knee cartilage and ligament injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator cuff tears and shoulder injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Sprains of the wrist and ankle
Who to See
C. Brian Blackwood, MD
Dr. Brian Blackwood is a board-certified orthopedic expert who specializes in joint replacement of the hip and knee, including Mako SmartRobotics™ joint replacement. With extensive training in the latest joint replacement and revision techniques, Dr. Blackwood is dedicated to providing the advanced orthopedic care his patients need to get back to an active lifestyle.
In addition to being Boulder’s first fellowship-trained hip and knee replacement specialist, Dr. Blackwood is a…
Who to See
Erik C. Bowman, MD
Dr. Erik Bowman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with extensive fellowship training in adult reconstruction of the hip and knee. Available to see patients in Boulder and Broomfield, Dr. Bowman is an expert at providing treatment and care for the hip and knee joints as well as for lower extremity fractures. He is committed to providing the highest level of care possible, and he works with each patient to create a…
Who to See
Austin W. Chen, MD
Dr. Austin Chen is a board-certified, dual-fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. He specializes in sports medicine surgery as well as comprehensive surgery of the hip, including labral tear injuries, hip preservation, hip arthroscopy, and hip replacement/reconstruction. Dr. Chen joined BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine in 2017 and sees patients at our Boulder…
Who to See
Brian P. Davis, MD
Dr. Brian Davis is a Colorado native, board-certified (ABOS), and dual fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine and shoulder and elbow surgeon. Having completed extensive training in orthopedic sports medicine and shoulder and elbow surgery, Dr. Davis is highly skilled in treating a broad range of conditions of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. He specializes in arthroscopic surgery, fracture care,…
Who to See
Dirk W. Dolbeare, MD
Dirk W. Dolbeare, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He returned to Boulder to join BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine after completing his residency at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. Before attending medical school, Dr. Dolbeare obtained his master's degree in physical therapy and practiced in New York and Boston and at Boulder Orthopedics. To broaden his orthopedic skills and give his patients complete and comprehensive care, he aspired to…
Who to See
Steven C. Gross, MD
Dr. Steven Gross is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the management of acute orthopedic injuries, including orthopedic trauma and fractures as well as tendon/ligament injuries. His expertise includes malunion and nonunion repair, deformity correction, infection treatment, tendon/ligament repair as well as fracture repair and reconstruction. Committed to offering the most effective and up-to-date treatments, he works with patients collaboratively…
Who to See
Jon Hammarstedt, MD
Dr. Jon Hammarstedt is a fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon who treats a wide range of injuries and conditions encompassing the finger, hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Dr. Hammarstedt's patient-centric approach is dedicated to providing tailored treatment options, empowering patients to reclaim an active and healthy lifestyle. Helping patients get back to a life in motion.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Hammarstedt graduated with distinction from the…
Who to See
Robert Harper, MD
Dr. Robert Harper is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with extensive fellowship training in spine surgery. Dr. Harper is highly skilled in treating a broad range of conditions in the back, neck, and spine using the latest surgical methods available. He specializes in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, lumbar and cervical disc replacement, cervical foraminotomy, posterior cervical and thoracic decompression and fusion, lateral and anterior lumbar interbody fusion, lumbar fusion,…
Who to See
Adam M. Holzmeister, MD
Dr. Adam Holzmeister is a board-certified, fellowship-trained hip and knee replacement surgeon specializing in the treatment of hip and knee arthritis. He has particular interests in minimally invasive muscle-sparing knee replacement (subvastus approach) and hip replacement (direct anterior approach), robotic-assisted surgery, and the personalization, rather than standardization, of joint reconstruction. Additionally, Dr. Holzmeister focuses on rapid recovery with many patients undergoing…
Who to See
Ilya Igolnikov, MD
Dr. Ilya Igolnikov is a triple-board-certified, fellowship-trained physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist). He specializes in nonsurgical care of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the spine, including a wide array of spine, peripheral joint, and musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. He is seeing patients at the Boulder location.
As a physiatrist, Dr. Igolnikov’s focus is on treating the underlying biomechanical,…
Who to See
William C. Kramer, MD
Dr. William Kramer is a board-certified, fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon in Boulder, Colorado. As one of Boulder County’s expert, fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Kramer is highly skilled at providing treatment and care for bone, joint, muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries and conditions of the foot and ankle. He is dedicated to providing his patients with individualized care and enjoys getting them back on their feet and back to the sports and…
Who to See
Daniel L. Master, MD
Dr. Daniel Master is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who also holds a subspecialty certificate in surgery of the hand from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. He specializes in the orthopedic treatment of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Dr. Master completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, OH, and his hand and upper limb fellowship at Stanford University Medical…
Who to See
Meredith H. Mayo, MD
Dr. Meredith Mayo is an orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in both sports medicine and complex shoulder surgery. With availability in both Boulder and Broomfield, she specializes in the orthopedic treatment of injuries to the shoulder, elbow, and knee as well as upper and lower extremity fractures.
While playing Division I soccer, Dr. Mayo graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with honors. She earned…
Who to See
Eric Schryver, MD
Dr. Eric Schryver is a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon. He treats a wide range of sports injuries, ensuring patients find relief and return to doing what they love most. Utilizing his skills and training, Dr. Schryver offers his patients both surgical and nonsurgical options to address their injury or condition.
Dr. Schryver earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Moving forward, he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree at The…
Who to See
Khemarin R. Seng, MD
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Khemarin Seng is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery and specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery.
He prides himself on staying up to date with current literature, keeping an eye on evolving orthobiologic technology, and understanding his patients’ needs and concerns. He will find a solution to keep you moving.
Interests
Dr. Khemarin Seng enjoys spending time with his…
Who to See
Katrina Slater, DO
Dr. Katrina Slater is a fellowship-trained interventional spine and sports medicine specialist with expertise in a wide range of procedures for the spine as well as ultrasound-guided diagnostics/interventions. Dr. Slater also provides electrodiagnostic testing including electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCV) to assist patients with determining any nerve compression or injury. Her goal is to provide long-lasting medical treatment to help patients return to their prior…
Who to See
Aditya J. Yerrapragada, MD
Dr. Aditya Yerrapragada is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. He has extensive training in the management of fractures involving the upper and lower extremities (arm and leg/foot), Dr. Yerrapragada additionally spent an extra year of training specializing in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery, treating a broad range of conditions of the toes, foot, heel, ankle, and lower leg. He specializes in fracture care of the…
Comprehensive Care for Pickleball Players
The right treatment is the one that helps you achieve your health, fitness, and performance goals at the highest level. Our pickleball injury experts at Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists bring extensive knowledge and experience in advanced treatment options tailored to your needs. They work closely with you to provide a precise diagnosis and develop a care plan that supports your goals and keeps you active.
With expertise in a full range of treatments and protocols, our doctors prioritize conservative, nonsurgical options whenever possible. If surgery becomes necessary, they are highly skilled in the latest minimally invasive techniques to support a safe, efficient recovery and optimal outcome.
Common Pickleball Treatments
We provide personalized care plans tailored to the specific needs of each pickleball player. Below is a list of common treatments offered by our injury specialists. To explore these options in more detail, please use the links below.
Don't Wait to Be Seen!
If you have an injury or condition keeping you from your sport, we proudly offer our Ortho Same Day Care clinic, providing expert care for acute bone, joint, and muscle injuries so you can be seen right away and get back to the competition. Use the button below to learn more about our Ortho Same Day Care clinic.