Is pickleball better for herniated disc than tennis?

[SteveI]

I HATE the noise pickle ball makes. We had two courts being used at the indoor facility I played at. We were playing tennis on the 4th court on that side. the noise was so loud we could not hear your partner on the same side of the net as you were on. We had to move to the other side of the facility in order to play tennis. There was a reception area in between the 4 courts on either side with plexiglass windows in between. The noise was too loud to even play. HORRIBLE loud noise.

I have been following a series of articles in the NY Times regarding PB and noise. It is a fact that PB noise is a much high dB level and is causing issues for homeowners that live too close to courts. Many lawsuits now in progress.

On the injury front, as my former ortho stated.. he was getting rich on PB injuries. $441,000,000 last year in PB and PB related injures. I have no idea how that compares to tennis or other racket sports.

 

[mctennis]

I have been following a series of articles in the NY Times regarding PB and noise. It is a fact that PB noise is a much high dB level and is causing issues for homeowners that live too close to courts. Many lawsuits now in progress.

On the injury front, as my former ortho stated.. he was getting rich on PB injuries. $441,000,000 last year in PB and PB related injures. I have no idea how that compares to tennis or other racket sports.

I talked with my Ortho surgeon. She said the injury rates are a lot higher with PB because the people playing have underlying health conditions- osteo, bad backs, bad ankles, etc. She was not seeing that many injuries in comparison to PB injuries. Mostly the injuries with tennis were with younger people.

 

[Bud]

I talked with my Ortho surgeon. She said the injury rates are a lot higher with PB because the people playing have underlying health conditions- osteo, bad backs, bad ankles, etc. She was not seeing that many injuries in comparison to PB injuries. Mostly the injuries with tennis were with younger people.

Well, that and many more old people are playing PB vs tennis.

 

[mctennis]

Well, that and many more old people are playing PB vs tennis.

Probably they have not exercised at all for years and think pickelball would be " fun" to play.

 

[2ndServe]

Not much interest in pickleball yet, but what has helped your herniated disc? Or things you've done to avoid them?

 

[mintstar]

Not much interest in pickleball yet, but what has helped your herniated disc? Or things you've done to avoid them?

The Back Mechanic big 3 exercises and press-ups help a lot. I try to walk most days, I avoid slouching in chairs/sofas, and I sleep with a small pillow under my knees.

I tried pickleball for the first time today, and it didn't irritate my back at all except once slightly when I lunged for a ball. I am careful to bend with my knees, so I have no issues picking up balls. Twisting my back in tennis seems to be the problem. Pickleball was fun, and I'm happy I found a substitute for tennis!

 

[ollinger]

An orthopedist colleague told me yesterday they're seeing lots of torn achilles and other injuries, quick stop-start and much bending down seem to extract a toll.

 

[SteveI]

An orthopedist colleague told me yesterday they're seeing lots of torn achilles and other injuries, quick stop-start and much bending down seem to extract a toll.

In a NY Times article on PB. It stated PB injuries accounted for $441,000,000 in medical costs in 2022. One of the reasons tennis is still better on my body is as stated above. Quick stop-start movements. Lots of PB also taking falls and related injures due to this fact and the fact that PB players tend to be older and have diminished balance. Many great things about PB.. there are always negatives. As I stated above, my ortho told me he was very busy treating PB injuries.. and making some serious cash. He just retired..he was a tennis played and also stated he never saw as many tennis related injures compared to PB. Tennis players tend to be in better shape, younger and more athletic in general. Not a hater of PB... there are pros and cons to the game and it need to match what your needs are. PB just does not align with my needs.

 

[SteveI]

I HATE the noise pickle ball makes. We had two courts being used at the indoor facility I played at. We were playing tennis on the 4th court on that side. the noise was so loud we could not hear your partner on the same side of the net as you were on. We had to move to the other side of the facility in order to play tennis. There was a reception area in between the 4 courts on either side with plexiglass windows in between. The noise was too loud to even play. HORRIBLE loud noise.

The lawsuits are beginning as homeowners are suing HOAs and local towns and villages due to noise pollution. The stats I have read say PB is 4-5 louder than tennis and the frequencies of the PB hitting the paddle is much for jarring to the nervous system. There is also the fact that PB is so popular it to being played on some courts 10-12 hours a day and even under the lights for a few extra hours. Folks in the area of the courts get limited breaks in the noise pollution. In addition, PB folks tend to be was more social and that creates extra noise. PB is wonderful for many a nightmare for others.

 

[La Pavoni]

I’m in my mid 40’s and have herniated two discs in the last 5 years. No interest in playing pickle ball at all, but herniated the second disc in January and was back to playing singles (tennis) in April. The first injury had a much longer lay off and recovery. The difference? I’ve been seeing a decent sports physio. You have to actually do the exercises that you are set, but seeing someone who can diagnose what your underlying issues are that are causing the problems and give you a program to strengthen things has been game changing. I’m playing decent tennis and don’t feel physically limited. Even two years+ after the original herniation I was still struggling and avoiding lots of activities.

 

[mctennis]

I’m in my mid 40’s and have herniated two discs in the last 5 years. No interest in playing pickle ball at all, but herniated the second disc in January and was back to playing singles (tennis) in April. The first injury had a much longer lay off and recovery. The difference? I’ve been seeing a decent sports physio. You have to actually do the exercises that you are set, but seeing someone who can diagnose what your underlying issues are that are causing the problems and give you a program to strengthen things has been game changing. I’m playing decent tennis and don’t feel physically limited. Even two years+ after the original herniation I was still struggling and avoiding lots of activities.

Yep, same here. I have two herniated discs and did the same thing. I just have to be careful of the things I do. Sports physio was a big help plus the long recovery time and being very careful. Knowing your limitations helps a lot.

 

[TennisDawg]

takes a little practice … wiffle comes up more erratic than tennis ball.

Using the pickle paddle to pickup a ball is awkward and still might aggravate a sore back. The other issue is playing at the kitchen line where I see a lot of open stance volleys and overheads.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Using the pickle paddle to pickup a ball is awkward and still might aggravate a sore back. The other issue is playing at the kitchen line where I see a lot of open stance volleys and overheads.

When I roll the ball against outside of right foot with the paddle, keep paddle pressing ball into right foot, then quickly lift right foot and paddle at same time … wiffle pops up (ironically spinning) high enough to grab with left hand with no bending. That is … when I don’t screw it up. I haven’t stuck with it as a habit … but I should … tennis players should be clinging to every bit of tennis they can.

The goto volley and ready position at the kitchen is nipples to the net wide open stance volley without rotation because of lack of time in firefights. If time … add rotation. The nipples to the net overhead without rotation is also a good club to have in the bag along with our standard tennis overheads because often a simple arming angle overhead gets the job done. Wouldn’t avoiding rotation be a plus for sore backs?

Edit:

OK … just practiced paddle/wiffle/foot pickup. With straight knees and big bend at waste degree of difficulty 1.7, with bent knees and minimum bend at waste 2.7 and you look like you are taking a dump.

 

[EggSalad]

Not sure about that that... Back surgery results are not that impressive. Maybe walking and swimming are better than tennis, PB and surgery.

This is a pretty big misconception based on modern medicine. Although, it also depends on the procedure.

I had a Microdiscectomy on August 2nd and am back playing tennis and feeling pretty good. I think I’ve got another 3 or so months before I feel close to 100% but I would do this surgery again with no questions asked.

My best advice is to go to a neurosurgeon as opposed to an ortho for the procedure.

It was a 1 hour, out patient procedure and I was standing up eating lunch at my kitchen counter once I got home.

I also have no interest in pickle ball. Hard courts and playing slouched over and bending does not appeal to me or my back.

 

[SteveI]

This is a pretty big misconception based on modern medicine. Although, it also depends on the procedure.

I had a Microdiscectomy on August 2nd and am back playing tennis and feeling pretty good. I think I’ve got another 3 or so months before I feel close to 100% but I would do this surgery again with no questions asked.

My best advice is to go to a neurosurgeon as opposed to an ortho for the procedure.

It was a 1 hour, out patient procedure and I was standing up eating lunch at my kitchen counter once I got home.

I also have no interest in pickle ball. Hard courts and playing slouched over and bending does not appeal to me or my back.

Glad you has such positive results. My research does not indicate better than 65% positive results and having to revisit surgery. Of course it depends on procedure. Thanks for your insights... anyways good to get as much information as possible.

 

[EggSalad]

Glad you has such positive results. My research does not indicate better than 65% positive results and having to revisit surgery. Of course it depends on procedure. Thanks for your insights... anyways good to get as much information as possible.

Surgeries to treat lumbar disc herniation have been shown to have 79% good/excellent outcomes based on long term results. That study is as of 2015, and I believe the results are even better now as technology and the procedure continue to get better.

Long-Term Results of Various Operations for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Analysis of over 39,000 Patients - PMC

To determine the long-term follow-up of the various operations for lumbar disc herniation in a large patient population. Patients who had operations for lumbar disc herniation (microdiscectomy, endoscopic microdiscectomy and the ‘classical ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The % rate for microdiscecomy is even higher with less than 10% reherniating in the future. With Microdiscectomy being the most common treatment for a herniated disc.

I’m not trying to pick an internet fight or anything but just wanted to put some data with sources out there for anyone considering this surgery as an option.

Back surgery 10, 20, 30 years ago was viewed as quite a gamble but that is not really true today. And a herniated disc can be completely debilitating both physically and mentally, and I’d hate for someone to not consider surgery based on old or misinformation.