Padel Tennis Injuries: Protecting Your Knees on Court

Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. Its mix of tennis-style strokes and squash-like intensity makes it dynamic, fun, and social. But with the quick direction changes, lunges, and wall rebounds, injuries—particularly knee injuries—are increasingly common among players.

Why Knees Are at Risk in Padel Tennis

Padel demands explosive movement, sudden deceleration, and twisting pivots on hard surfaces. This combination puts strain on the knee joint in several ways:

• Sudden twisting can overload the meniscus or ligaments.

• Repeated impact and deceleration stress the cartilage, tendons, and supporting structures.

• Collisions with the wall or net can cause direct trauma to the bones and soft tissues.

Common Injuries in Padel Tennis

1. Acute Injuries

• Meniscus tears – caused by sharp twisting or awkward landings.

• Ligament injuries – including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains or ruptures.

• Bony injuries – stress fractures or acute fractures after falls or impact with the wall.

2. Repetitive Stress Injuries

• Patellar tendinitis (“jumper’s knee”) – inflammation from repeated jumping and lunging.

• Fatigue tears of the meniscus – gradual degeneration from repeated stress rather than one traumatic event.

3. Direct Impact Injuries

• Fractures or bone bruises from crashing into the wall or diving for the ball.

• Soft tissue contusions in the shoulder, hip, or knee region.

When to See a Specialist

Not every ache is serious, but certain symptoms should never be ignored:

• Swelling that persists beyond 48 hours.

• Persistent stiffness or loss of range of motion.

• Knee “giving way” or a sensation of instability.

If these occur, a thorough examination and often an MRI scan are essential.

Prevention Strategies

While injuries can’t always be avoided, preparation goes a long way:

• Strength & conditioning – build quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and core stability.

• Right footwear – use padel-specific or tennis shoes with grip and cushioning.

• Balance & coordination – agility ladders, wobble boards, and single-leg drills prepare your body for padel’s demands.

Specialist Padel Injury Care in London

Padel is an exciting sport, but like all high-energy activities, it carries injury risks. Recognising symptoms early, seeking specialist care, and focusing on prevention are the keys to staying on court.

Professor Chinmay Gupté and the team at Sportshealing regularly treat padel-related injuries at our London clinic. If you are experiencing knee pain, swelling, or instability after playing, we are here to help you recover safely and return to the game stronger.

✅ Ready to get back on court?

Book a consultation at Sportshealing: https://www.sportshealing.com
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📍 Sportshealing Clinic, London

📞 +44 (0)20 1234 5678

📧 info@sportshealing.com