Health Blog

This is purely anecdotal but worth raising if it helps some people avoid injury.

Padel courts are being built as fast as they can in response to the great popularity of the sport.  I have not played, but have watched it and heard people describing what they enjoy about the sport.  The main thing is that it appears it is much easier to get proficient and be able to play competitively quite quickly compared to squash or tennis. 

Over the last 6 months I have definitely seen a number of hamstring tears and strains directly related to the lunging type movements that are very much part of the sport.  This culminated this week when a patient presented with a complete rupture of the hamstring muscle from the pelvic bone during a game of padel.   This requires surgery and then a 9 month rehab programme. 

Middle aged people taking up padel need to work on flexibility to ensure that they have the ability to lunge.     Our Osteopaths and Physiotherapists can advise on how to  ensure players have good hip range of mobility that will reduce the risk of these injuries.   Strength is also important to help control the range.