Pickleball has continued to grow in the past year . While younger players are coming into the game , according to USA Pickleball , most recreational players are still over 50 , and joint replacement surgeries are very common among this active older population .
There are more than 1 million joint replacement surgeries ( called total joint arthroplasties ) in the United States every year , with that number expected to increase to nearly 4 million by 2030 . This makes total joint replacements one of the most common types of orthopedic surgeries today . The most common type of total joint arthroplasty is a total knee replacement , followed by a total hip replacement . We will discuss the reason most people get a knee replacement , as well as expectations for returning to playing .
When people describe their knee as being “ bone on bone ,” that means the lining has degraded so much that the bones are now contacting each other , which can lead to pain and difficulty moving . This is when people start thinking about joint replacements .
People are often confused or misguided regarding the expectations following a total joint replacement and returning to playing pickleball . While some people may have a speedy recovery and be back on the courts playing within a few weeks , this does not apply to most people . A good timeline to keep in mind when having a total joint replacement is as follows ( all timing is postoperative ):
Phase 1 – Painful phase : 0-4 weeks
The goal is to manage the pain , increase range of motion , regain basic muscle function , and restore a normal gait pattern . No on-court playing .
Phase 2 – Development phase : 1-3 months
Continue to modulate pain as needed , restore full range of motion , normal gait pattern , and restore balance and muscle strength . No on-court playing .
Phase 3 – Dynamic phase : 3-6 months
Continued strength and balance training , gentle agility training , gentle plyometrics . Gentle on-court activity can take place : dinking , drop shots , gentle side-to-side work .
The biggest risk factor for undergoing a total joint replacement is osteoarthritis . It is estimated that 1 in 4 Americans will experience some form of arthritis in their life , with osteoarthritis being the overwhelming leader of all types of arthritis in the active population . A joint is where two bones connect . For example , the knee joint is where the femur ( thigh bone ) and tibia ( shin bone ) meet . At the end of bones that form a joint , there is a lining that covers the surface of the bones called cartilage , which helps promote smooth motion of the bones on one another . Over time , this cartilage lining can degrade , and the surface of the bones becomes rougher . This process is called osteoarthritis .
Phase 4 – Return to sport : 6-12 months
Higher-level strength , balance , and power development , agility and plyometric training , sportspecific strengthening and conditioning . Return to full pickleball .
If you ’ d like to learn more about this , you can contact “ The Pickleball Doctor ” at
noe @ moveitpt . com . The Pickleball Doctor is the owner of Move It Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill , NC . Free 10-minute consults are available to see if it ’ s a good fit , and virtual sessions are available if you are not in the area . Movement screens can be performed virtually , and Noe can provide you with the appropriate guidance to make sure you are ready to play this sport we all love ! •
Noe Sariban is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Move It Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill , NC . He is a certified pickleball teaching professional through the IPTPA , and the tournament physical therapist for world # 1 Ben Johns . Visit
thepickleballdoctor . com for more information on injury prevention and rehabilitation tips . You can also like his Facebook page ,
facebook . com / pickleballdoctor , for updates and new information .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 | MAGAZINE 89