Nothing is worse than having to stop playing the game you love, and having a sports injury with chronic pain is a pain! It keeps many players sidelined not only from the courts but also from doing normal everyday tasks.

What is Pickleball Elbow?

Pickleball elbow is one of the most common pickleball injuries. Pickleball elbow, also known as tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis, is a type of injury that affects the outer elbow. It is caused by repetitive stress on the soft tissue, muscles, and elbow tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle, which is a bony bump on the outer part of the elbow.

Symptoms of Pickleball Elbow

The most common symptom of pickleball elbow is pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow. This pain can radiate down the forearm and can be exacerbated by gripping objects or performing repetitive motions, such as the wrist action and swing mechanics of a pickleball paddle.

Other symptoms may include:

A loss of grip strength
Increasing pain with repetition (forehands, backhands, dinks)
Poor mechanics while playing
Soreness
Stiffness
Weakness

Causes of Pickleball Elbow

Pickleball elbow is typically caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm muscles. This can occur when pickleball players repeatedly hit the ball with improper form or grip, leading to strain on the extensor muscles and tendons in the forearm. Over time, these tears can lead to inflammation of the muscles and pickleball elbow pain.

The lateral epicondyle, which is a bony bump on the outside of the elbow, can become tender to the touch. Proper blood flow and circulation are important for the healing process of pickleball elbow. Adequate blood flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, which can aid in the healing process.

Techniques such as massage, heat therapy, and gentle exercises can help increase blood flow to the affected area and promote healing.

Preventing Pickleball Elbow

Let’s talk about injury prevention. The best way to prevent pickleball elbow is to use proper form and technique when playing. This means using a grip size that is comfortable and holding the paddle correctly. It is also important to take breaks and rest when you feel fatigued.

If you are prone to pickleball elbow or have had repeated bouts of dealing with it, it is advised to use a lighter paddle to reduce muscle fatigue.

Just as in other sports, a proper warm-up and stretching before and after playing can help prevent injuries.

Treatment Option for Pickleball Elbow

Meet FiiX Elbow, an at-home automated therapy system that “fiixes” the root cause of this condition. Simply put, FiiX Elbow helps increase blood flow to the affected area, breaks up scar tissue, and heals damaged tissue so that you can get back to doing what you love.

We interview Anne Goldstein, who, after years of chronic elbow pain, discovered this product and, after a few treatments, is hitting the courts.

Like many, Anne tried various pain relievers, such as anti-inflammatory medications and dry needling, which work for many people, but did not provide relief. In fact, her pain was so acute that she couldn’t even pick up a water bottle, let alone a paddle.

One day she ran into another player who suggested a new product that provides a remedy for this condition. Anne said, “At first, I was skeptical about using this device, and after five minutes of use, I was able to pick up my water bottle once again!”. Anne went on to say that she wears it while sitting comfortably at home and that “It has given me back my mobility.” Having the ability to move her arm and elbow freely has paved the way for her return to the pickleball court.

Dennis Lee, Co-Founder, said that they have two physical therapists who assisted in the design of the FiiX Elbow, and these doctors know the cause of this condition intimately. Another point Dennis made was the overall cost and time savings with an in-home solution versus that of traveling to and from the doctor’s office, insurance deductibles and claims, repeat visits, and time commitment to treatments. You thought it was exhausting playing pickleball!

Check out FiiX Elbow for yourself! Check out what reviewers had to say, and when you’re ready to get back into the game, look no further than Pickleball University.