Pickleball continues to grow rapidly across Houston, especially in Clear Lake, League City, and Pearland. While the sport is fun and accessible, elbow pain has become one of the most common injuries keeping players off the court.
As Houston’s Pickleball Injury MD and Houston’s Sports Shockwave MD, I often see patients who could have healed much sooner if they had avoided a few common mistakes.
If your elbow pain keeps returning, one of these issues may be the reason.
Mistake #1: Resting Until It Feels Better, Then Returning Too Soon
Many players stop playing for a few weeks, feel improvement, then jump right back into games. The problem is that the tendon often hasn’t fully healed and the pain has only temporarily decreased.
When you return to play too soon, the tendon is reinjured, which leads to a cycle of flare-ups and chronic pain.
Mistake #2: Relying Only on Braces or Straps
Elbow straps can reduce strain on the tendon and may help short-term symptoms, but they do not repair tendon damage.
Using a brace without addressing the underlying injury often delays proper treatment and prolongs recovery.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Grip and Paddle Mechanics
Many pickleball players use grips that are too small or paddles that transmit excessive vibration. This increases stress on the forearm muscles and elbow tendon.
Small equipment changes, grip adjustments, and stroke modifications can significantly reduce stress on the tendon and improve recovery.
Mistake #4: Treating Pain Instead of Treating the Tendon
Ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and even injections may reduce symptoms temporarily, but they don’t heal degenerative tendon tissue.
True recovery requires stimulating healing within the tendon itself. That’s why advanced treatments like shockwave therapy are becoming a preferred option for athletes looking to return to play safely.
As Houston’s Sports Shockwave MD, I use shockwave therapy to help stimulate blood flow, promote collagen repair, and restart the body’s healing response.
Mistake #5: Waiting Too Long to Seek Evaluation
The longer tendon injuries persist, the harder they become to treat. Chronic elbow pain can lead to compensatory injuries in the wrist, shoulder, or even neck.
Early evaluation helps determine:
- Whether the tendon is inflamed or degenerative
- What activity modifications are needed
- Whether regenerative treatments may help
- How to safely return to play
How to Break the Cycle of Recurring Elbow Pain
Most pickleball players don’t need surgery to recover. They need:
- Accurate diagnosis
- Proper loading and strengthening
- Equipment adjustments
- Treatments that stimulate healing
As Houston’s Pickleball Injury MD, my goal is to help players return to the court stronger, safer, and with less risk of reinjury.
Get Back to Pickleball Without Chronic Pain
If elbow pain keeps returning when you play, don’t wait for it to worsen. Early treatment focused on tendon healing can shorten recovery time and help you enjoy the sport again.
Working with Houston’s Sports Shockwave MD ensures your treatment plan focuses on healing the injury and not just masking symptoms.
