Pickleball Treatment Leaders in Kansas
At Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists, our experts provide dedicated bone, joint, and muscle care tailored to meet the needs of pickleball players throughout the region.
Like all sports, pickleball comes with its own set of health and fitness benefits, as well as risks for injury. But every pickleball player is unique, with individual needs that deserve personalized attention. After sustaining an injury, returning to the court requires collaboration with professionals who have the expertise and experience to deliver the most effective, tailored treatment for you.
In sports medicine, the athlete’s needs and goals take priority. Treatment plans are guided by performance objectives and the timeline for returning to play. For pickleball players, choosing the right sports medicine doctor is essential to achieving the best possible recovery and returning to peak performance.
At Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists, our pickleball injury specialists are board-certified and fellowship-trained, offering the highest level of expertise in sports medicine. With advanced training and a patient-centered approach, they’re committed to providing the treatment and rehabilitation you need. Working closely with you, our team will develop the most effective plan to address your pain or limitations, so you can return to the court and the game you love.
Our pickleball injury experts at Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists 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.
Prepare for Pickleball Play & Avoid Injury
Prevention is the best form of treatment, and in the fast-paced world of pickleball, players of all skill levels can lower their risk of injury by training off the court. Strength training, conditioning, and sport-specific stretching are key to staying game-ready. For optimal protection and performance, consider following a program developed by sports medicine experts for your workouts and warm-ups.
The Pickleball 10 to Win, from Wichita’s leaders in treating pickleball injuries at Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists, is your complete workout program for playing better pickleball. By using this program, you can improve your game and help prevent injury.
Pickleball 10 to Win
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.
When to Be Seen
Playing or training through pain can lead to serious injury and may keep you off the pickleball court long-term. To protect your health and performance, it’s important to consult an orthopaedic specialist as soon as symptoms appear.
Our team knows that effective treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis from an experienced doctor. Please request an appointment online or call (316) 219-8299 to consult with one of our specialty-trained sports medicine doctors if you experience:
- A fall on the court that resulted in a popping sound or sensation in your arm, wrist, hip, shoulder, back, or knee
- An inability to put weight on your foot, ankle, knee, or leg
- Muscle or joint pain that does not go away 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 and persistent pain in a specific area 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
Who to See
Bradley Bruner, M.D.
About Dr. Bruner
Dr. Bradley Bruner is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in the evaluation and management of sports injuries and the surgical treatment of knee injuries. Dr. Bruner explains each patient’s knee or sports-related condition or injury and communicates all treatment options to create satisfying and enjoyable patient visits. Providing expert care for Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists since 1991, he is dedicated to using his…
Who to See
Damion Walker, D.O.
About Dr. Walker
As a board-certified and fellowship-trained general orthopaedic surgeon and adult trauma and reconstructive surgery specialist, Dr. Damion Walker provides a large scope of services to a wide variety of patients. Dr. Walker joined Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists in 2011. In his practice, he enjoys working closely with his patients, utilizing his training and experience not only to provide orthopaedic surgical care but also to improve his patients’ health and…
Who to See
Camden Whitaker, M.D.
About Dr. Whitaker
Dr. Camden Whitaker is a board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon specializing in herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and reconstructive and revision spine surgery of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Dr. Whitaker joined Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists in 2013, and he chose to practice spine surgery in order to make a true difference in his patients’ lives and help relieve their pain and…
Who to See
Kellis Bulleigh, M.D.
About Dr. Bulleigh
Dr. Kellis Bulleigh is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in providing bone, joint, and muscle care for the upper extremity as well as the hip, knee, and ankle. He joined Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists in 2021, and he is committed to working with each patient individually to provide them with the exceptional orthopaedic care they need to improve their quality of life and daily function.
In 2008, Dr. Bulleigh received his Doctor of…
Who to See
Justin Strickland, M.D.
About Dr. Strickland
Dr. Justin Strickland is a board-certified and fellowship-trained sports medicine doctor who specializes in care for sports-related injuries as well as the shoulder, knee, and elbow. In his approach to care, Dr. Strickland prioritizes listening to each patient, giving them all the time they deserve and using his skills to help relieve patients’ pain and get them back on the court or field.
Dr. Strickland attended Northeast Ohio Medical University, where…
Who to See
Ryan Livermore, M.D.
About Dr. Livermore
Dr. Ryan Livermore is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon specializing in comprehensive care for conditions of the shoulder, knee, and hand as well as arthroscopic and reconstruction surgeries. He is dedicated to working with each patient to help relieve their pain and help them return to their favorite activities.
Dr. Livermore attended Southern Illinois University School of Medicine for his Doctor of…
Comprehensive Care for Pickleball Players
The right treatment is the one that helps you achieve your health, fitness, and performance goals at the highest level. Our pickleball injury experts at Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists bring extensive knowledge and experience in advanced treatment options tailored to your needs. They work closely with you to provide a precise diagnosis and develop a care plan that supports your goals and keeps you active.
With expertise in a full range of treatments and protocols, our doctors prioritize conservative, nonsurgical options whenever possible. If surgery becomes necessary, they are highly skilled in the latest minimally invasive techniques to support a safe, efficient recovery and optimal outcome.
Common Pickleball Treatments
We provide personalized care plans tailored to the specific needs of each pickleball player. Below is a list of common treatments offered by our injury specialists. To explore these options in more detail, please use the links below.