RETURN TO ABSTRACT LISTING
E5154. What is the Dill with Pickleball? Review of Musculoskeletal-Related Trauma Involving One of America’s Fastest Growing Noncontact Sports
Authors
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Mia Ma;
Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Hospital
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Arianna Gregg;
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
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Katherine Keith;
Wayne State University: School of Medicine
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Chad Klochko;
Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Hospital
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Beatrice Knisely;
Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Hospital
Background
Pickleball is one of America’s fastest-growing, noncontact sports. The sport is a hybrid of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, which is played on a smaller court than tennis and with a light paddle. It requires less distance to run with easy scoring, and thus is becoming increasingly popular. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association in 2021, 2022, 2023, approximately 30% of the players are aged 55 and older. Despite pickleball as a noncontact sport, there are many musculoskeletal (MSK)-related trauma pathologies associated with this sport. Our aim is to enlighten radiology residents and fellows, MSK radiologists, and general radiologists to be aware of specific pathologies that can be associated with pickleball.
Educational Goals / Teaching Points
The presentation will start with a brief overview of the game of pickleball. After viewing this exhibit, participants will become familiar with the normal anatomy of several MSK structures with their associated injuries and their distinguishing imaging features. Modalities will include MSK radiography, ultrasound, and MRI of involved structures. The focus will be select pathology from patients with traumatic pickleball injuries, including fractures (scaphoid, rib, radius, metatarsal), tendon tears (rotator cuff, Achilles tendon, hamstrings), and ligament tears (MCL, ACL).
Key Anatomic/Physiologic Issues and Imaging Findings/Techniques
We provide a brief overview of the sport of pickleball including rules, gameplay, popularity, and potential source of trauma. Then we summarize correlative normal upper and lower extremity MSK anatomy on radiography, ultrasound, and MRI, as applicable. Specific pathology from patients with traumatic pickleball injuries will be discussed. These include upper extremity injuries, such as scaphoid fractures, radius fractures, rib fractures, rotator cuff tears, and lateral epicondylitis. Lower extremity pickle ball injuries will also be covered, including metatarsal stress fractures, fibular fractures, Achilles tendon rupture, tennis leg, ACL tear, meniscus, MCL injury, and hamstring tears.
Conclusion
With pickleball’s rising popularity in sports, there is also an increase in MSK-related traumatic pathologies, despite being a noncontact sport. Knowledge of these specific pathologies associated with pickleball will allow radiologists to recognize and correctly identify these injuries in their practice.
