Injury Prevention

No Pain Just Gain

Padel is known for its fast-paced rallies, high-impact movement and athletic demands on the body, but with its rise in popularity has come a noticeable increase in arm injuries.

During recent years Wesley began seeing a sharp increase in shoulder, wrist, and elbow complaints. The solution requires a holistic approach. Whilst hands-on treatment can address some physical imbalances, it needs to be paired with more focused training, better warm up, changes to technique and sometimes a change of equipment. Many rackets are too heavy, poorly balanced and lack the correct biomechanical considerations for social players.

A UK-wide survey carried out in February 2024 revealed that 28% of active players were dealing with ongoing arm issues, while 54% expressed a clear preference for lighter rackets, keen to ease the load and reduce the risk of strain.

“We’ve done a lot of the work on the equipment, but watch this space for a series of videos looking at the causes and potential solutions to your injury issues, coming later in the year.”

Wesley Teixeira

COMMON PADEL INJURIES

  • Padel Elbow
  • Golfer’s Elbow
  • Wrist Tendinopathies
  • Shoulder Injury
  • Back Pain
  • Knee Pain
Padel Elbow

Padel elbow is a condition that causes pain on the outer part of the elbow and typically results from repetitive backhand shots, volleys, and overuse of the wrist extensors, especially with poor technique.

Golfer’s elbow

Golfer’s elbow is a condition involving pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow. In padel, it commonly develops from repetitive wrist flexion and gripping, especially with improper technique or equipment.

Wrist tendinopathies

Wrist tendinopathy refers to irritation or degeneration of the tendons around the wrist, often due to overuse or repetitive strain, and is caused by the high-repetition movements involving wrist flexion, extension, and rotation.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries often stem from the repetitive overhead movements, such as smashes, bandejas, and viboras which place significant stress on the shoulder joint, especially the rotator cuff, making overuse injuries common.

Lower back strain

Lower back strain in padel is typically caused by repetitive and forceful rotational movements, such as those used in forehands, backhands, smashes, and quick directional changes.

Knee pain

Knee pain in padel commonly results from the sport’s frequent stop-start movements, lateral shuffles, lunges, and quick directional changes, all of which place stress on the knee joint.