Pickleball Experts
Our Pickleball Specialists
Pickleball Treatment Leaders in Central California
As the most experienced team of orthopedic specialty providers in the San Joaquin Valley, our experts at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics are your source for all the exceptional bone, joint, and muscle care a pickleball player could need to stay in the game.
Just like any sport, pickleball offers participants the advantages of fitness alongside the risk of injury. Each pickleball player is a distinct athlete with unique needs that demand specialized attention. After an injury, staying on the court necessitates collaboration with specialists possessing the tailored expertise to deliver the most effective treatment catered to your individual requirements.
In the world of sports medicine, athletes are paramount. Their performance objectives and goals shape the treatment approaches offered by their sports medicine specialist. For pickleball players, choosing the appropriate sports medicine doctor is essential for reaching peak performance following an injury.
At Sierra Pacific Orthopedics, our board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists have extensive training and expertise in sports medicine as well as experience in treating pickleball injuries. They're primed to provide the necessary treatment and rehabilitation. Collaborating closely with you, our experts strive to identify the optimal treatment for your pain or limitations, ensuring a safe and efficient return to pickleball.
Our pickleball injury experts at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics are proud to be Pickleball Doctors. Providing expert tips for injury prevention, performance, and more, Pickleball Doctors is a group of elite doctors dedicated to helping you stay on—and dominate—the pickleball court.
According to leading doctors, prevention prevails over cure. In the fast-paced world of pickleball, players of all skill levels can mitigate on-court injury risks by training off the court. Incorporating strength training, conditioning, and specific stretches greatly primes pickleball players for upcoming matches. Optimize your protection and performance by adhering to a professionally crafted workout or warm-up regimen.
The Pickleball 10 to Win is a comprehensive workout regiment that is tailored to enhance your pickleball skills while also aiding in injury prevention.
With these 10 targeted exercises, you can improve your flexibility, agility, strength, and endurance to win on the court and stay on the court.
BEAR HUGS
Stand straight or lie on your back and open up your arms, pulling your shoulders back to broaden your chest. Bring your arms back in, wrapping them around your chest, and pat the back of your shoulders. Repeat quickly 20 times.
For the Win: Do some resistance bear hugs. Hold a resistance band around your back. Then, reach your arms out in front of you like you are hugging someone. Hold for 3 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
POGO HOPS
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly, but keep your posture straight. Keep your feet together and jump up and down in place. Repeat for 30 seconds.
For the Win: Do some single-leg hops. Balance on one leg and hop in place for 30 seconds. Repeat while balancing on your other leg. For better agility training, use a line to hop over from left to right.
SIDE-LYING LEG LIFTS
Lie on your side with your legs straight and one leg on top of the other. Bend your knees slightly and move your top leg toward the sky or ceiling. Lift your leg slowly and lower it slowly. Repeat 10 times on each side.
For the Win: Try resistance leg lifts! While lying on your side, place a resistance band around your legs and above your knees while you complete your leg lifts. For more of a challenge, place the band around your ankles.
SINGLE-LEG BALANCE
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and lift one foot off the ground. If you need, hold your arms out to help you balance. Hold this position for up to a minute or as long as you can and repeat on the other side.
For the Win: Do single-leg extensions. Stand on one foot. Lift your other leg, extending it behind you, in front of you, and off to the side. Center your leg before each extension. Repeat 15 times on each side.
STANDING QUAD STRETCH
Stand on one foot and pull the other behind you, holding the ankle. If you need, hold onto something for balance. Pull your heel toward your buttocks, and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on each side.
For the Win: Do kneeling quad stretches. Kneel on one knee with the opposite foot planted flat in front of you. Push your hips forward and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat for 3 sets on each side.
ROWS
Put a resistance band around a stable surface, like a tree or fence, holding the band in each hand. Stand facing the band with your feet hip-width apart. Pull the band toward you, squeezing your shoulder blades. Return to your starting position. Repeat 15 times.
For the Win: Do some bodyweight rows. Instead of resistance bands, use your body weight. Find a stable horizontal surface, such as a table or bar, and lie underneath it, grasping the surface firmly with both hands. Pull yourself up then lower yourself back down. Repeat 15 times.
PLANKS
Put your hands and knees on the ground, and then extend your legs behind you. Support your weight on your forearms and toes. Keep your body straight from your head to your heels. Hold this position as long as you can.
For the Win: Try side planks with resistance in your arms. Support your weight on one foot and forearm. Hold a resistance band in both hands, and extend your free arm toward the sky or ceiling. Repeat 10 times on each side.
HEEL RAISES
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly lift your heels off the ground, rising up onto the balls of your feet. Pause as you get to your tip-toe position, then lower your heels slowly back down to the ground. Repeat 20 times.
For the Win: Try single-leg heel raises. Instead of using both feet, lift one foot off the ground while putting your weight on the other foot and lifting that heel up. Repeat 20 times on each side.
SQUATS
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your hips down and back as if you are sitting down in a chair. Keep your weight on your heels. Return to a standing position. Repeat 10 times.
For the Win: Try single-leg squats. Instead of two feet down as you squat, lift one foot off the ground and extend it in front of you as you lower your hips and return to a standing position. Repeat 10 times on each side.
LUNGES
Stand with feet hip-width apart. Take a big step forward with one foot. Lower your hips down until your front knee is bent at a 90-degree angle. Keep your weight on your front heel. Push off your front foot to return to a standing position. Repeat 10 times on each side.
For the Win: Do backward and side lunges. For backward lunges, take a big step backward, lower, and push off your back foot to return to standing. For side lunges, take a step out to the side, lower yourself on that side, and push back up from that foot to return to standing.
Who to See
Francis E. Glaser, M.D.
Dr. Francis Glaser is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty fellowship training in foot and ankle. As a foot and ankle doctor in Fresno, California, his practice encompasses sports medicine, adult reconstructive, and trauma surgery.
He serves as the head team physician for the Fresno State University men’s basketball team and is a consulting physician for Fresno Pacific University. Dr. Glaser is trained in cutting-edge…
Who to See
Vincent B. Gomez, M.D.
Dr. Vincent Gomez is a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon who specializes in providing surgical and nonsurgical care for the hip, knee, and shoulder including hip arthroscopy surgery. He enjoys working with athletes of all levels and providing the orthopedic care they need to perform at the best of their ability. Dr. Gomez is committed to taking a team approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, and he works with the…
Who to See
Robert P. Gousse, M.D.
Dr. Robert Gousse is a fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine doctor. Dr. Gousse specializes in nonoperative and interventional treatments as well as preventative care for bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions.
Dr. Gousse graduated from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, with two bachelor of science degrees. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of South Florida Morsani College of…
Who to See
Zachary R. Hill, M.D.
As a fellowship-trained sports medicine expert and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Zachary Hill is highly qualified to treat various joint conditions and sports injuries using the latest techniques and procedures.
His expertise includes arthroscopic procedures for the shoulder, knee, and hip, fracture care, Achilles repair, and distal biceps repair as well as injections and total hip and knee replacement.
After graduating from…
Who to See
Beau Kalmes, D.O.
Dr. Beau Kalmes is a fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine doctor who specializes in providing nonoperative care for bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions. He is dedicated to using the latest and most advanced evidence-based conservative treatment options, including minimally invasive therapies and ultrasound-guided injections. Dr. Kalmes takes an individualized, holistic approach to patient care, and he is committed to…
Who to See
Rod S. Kraft, M.D.
Dr. Kraft was born and raised in Fresno, California, and graduated from Fresno State University in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in zoology. He played football for Fresno State and held the record for most touchdowns in a single game for 40 years until it was broken by Derek Carr in 2013. He does still hold the records for most touchdowns in a game and most touchdown passes in a game for a true freshman.
Dr. Kraft earned his medical…
Who to See
Devin R. Mangold, M.D.
Dr. Devin Mangold is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon who specializes in nonsurgical and surgical orthopedic care. He is an expert at diagnosing and treating limitations related to traumatic, degenerative, or congenital problems of the foot and ankle. Through his diverse expertise and experience, he prioritizes shared decision-making in his recovery approach.
After earning his undergraduate degree in biochemistry and…
Who to See
Michele M. Schulz, M.D.
Dr. Michele Schulz graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine.
Dr. Schulz completed her orthopedic surgery residency at the University of California, Irvine. Following this, she joined the faculty at the University of California, Irvine to practice orthopedic surgery and do research in…
Who to See
Anirudh Sharma, M.D.
Dr. Anirudh Sharma is a board-certified family medicine expert with fellowship training in orthopedic trauma. He specializes in nonoperative and interventional treatments as well as preventative care for a variety of bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions.
Dr. Sharma earned a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree from Government Medical College in Patiala, Punjab, India, where he also completed an…
Playing through pain in any sport, including pickleball, is never recommended. Ignoring an injury can extend your recovery time and keep you off the court even longer. It's important to seek immediate care from an orthopedic specialist to avoid worsening the injury or facing long-term setbacks.
Our experts understand the importance of an accurate diagnosis for an effective treatment plan. To request an appointment with one of our specialty-trained sports medicine doctors, please call (559) 256-5200 or request an appointment online if you have experienced any of the following:
- Popping sound or sensation in your arm, wrist, hip, shoulder, back, or knee after a fall
- Inability to put weight on your foot, ankle, knee, or leg
- Continued muscle or joint pain after resting and icing
- Pain in your hand, wrist, or forearm when holding your pickleball paddle
- Pain in your shoulder, back, neck, or arm when swinging your pickleball paddle
- Sudden, persistent pain in your back, arms, or legs after playing, especially if it is tender and/or warm to the touch
Common pickleball injuries include:
- Back strains
- Golfer’s elbow
- Hamstring strains
- Herniated or slipped disc
- Knee cartilage and tendon injuries
- Plantar fascia ruptures
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Tennis elbow
- Wrist and ankle sprains
The treatment that works for you is the treatment that helps you meet your health, fitness, and performance goals at the highest possible level. Our pickleball injury experts at Sierra Pacific Orthopedics have extensive knowledge and experience in the best treatments available for your needs. Our team will work closely with you to determine a diagnosis and the solution that will help you meet your goals and stay active.
With dedicated expertise in the full range of treatments and protocols, our doctors will always recommend conservative, nonsurgical care plans before suggesting surgery. If surgery is necessary, our doctors are skilled in the latest minimally invasive techniques to ensure the safest, quickest, and best overall recovery and experience.
Common Pickleball Injuries & Treatments
We offer complete, unique care programs for every pickleball player we treat. See the list below for some of the common treatments offered by our pickleball injury experts. To learn more about any of these treatments, click the associated link provided.
Be Seen QUICKLY for All Your Orthopedic Needs
Injuries to the bones, joints, and muscles hurt. When you’re hurt, a long ER wait time is too much. You need quick, specialized care from an orthopedic and sports medicine expert. When those injuries happen, be seen right away at our Orthopedic Urgent Care at our Herndon and Clovis Campuses.
Our Hours
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Herndon Campus Only)
