09/10/2025
Derek Klute stepped up to receive serve during a pickleball game when his Achilles suddenly ruptured, leaving him on the ground in pain. His story reflects a growing trend as millions of adults are hitting the courts and doctor's offices.
Most pickleball ER visits involve players over 50, many of whom are "weekend warriors" jumping into intense games without a lot of other activity. Its quick starts, stops and directional changes put stress on tendons and ligaments.
"The biggest thing is, when I was playing tennis, I was 22-years-old. When I was playing pickleball, I was 60," Derek explains. "I was walking with my dog a lot, getting steps in, but that's not even close to what was going on here."
Dr. Mitchell Daugherty, sports medicine specialist at Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists, helped Derek heal without surgery. If you play pickleball, don't miss safety tips from Beacon experts in WSBT Eye on Health: https://bit.ly/4pdnrWB