For those of us suffering from elbow pain, playing pickleball can become very uncomfortable if now equipped correctly. The wrong pickleball paddle can increase stress in the joints and ligaments in your elbow, and exacerbate what is known as tennis elbow. That is why getting the right paddle can be a game-changer when it comes to dealing with elbow pain while you play pickleball. Here are some of the best pickleball paddles for elbow pain and why you might need one of them.
This is the best pickleball paddle for Elbow Pain: ProKennex Pro Flight
Kinetic is the go-to brand for those that are trying to enhance and protect the health of their arms and ligaments in their elbows. The Prokennex Pro flight is really one of the only pickleball paddles out there where the designers put those suffering from elbow pain first and foremost in the mind of their clients. These people take treating “pickleball elbow” seriously.
The proprietary Kinetic technology eliminates harmful shock and vibration, reducing soreness and fatigue in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, and minimizing the risk of arm injury. This makes it ideal for players with existing elbow issues. Secondly, the Cloud Core technology reduces the paddle’s weight, while maintaining power and strength in swings, helping to minimize strain on the elbow joint. Lastly, the original Air-O-Guard system provides a fully replaceable edge guard, ensuring the durability and longevity of the paddle, making it a wise long-term investment for players seeking relief from elbow pain.
This paddle has been described as the “perfect paddle for tennis elbow” by users, so this is probably your best bet if you suffer from this condition.
What causes elbow pain in Pickleball?
Elbow pain in racket sports is pretty common. It is commonly referred to as a condition called tennis elbow. Lateral epicondylitis is the medical term. This condition causes pain and inflammation on the outer part of the elbow. It is typically caused by overuse or of the forearm muscles and tendons, resulting in small tears and irritation at the outer elbow joint.
As you could probably guess, regular racket sports play could be the culprit here. If you are swinging a paddle or racket frequently and not giving your arm time to rest, then you could develop tennis elbow. It’s sort of like a pitcher, MLB teams don’t throw their best pitcher on the mound day after day, do they? That’s why they have a rotation of 5, to give their best arms some rest. Too much usage of your tendons and ligaments in your elbow like this is usually what causes elbow pain in a sport like Pickleball.
Why a heavy paddle is not ideal for pickleball players suffering from tennis elbow
Heavy rackets and paddles can definitely make tennis elbow worse. More weight in a paddle just increases the strain on your elbow when you play a lot of Pickleball. If you have a paddle that is 9 lbs or heavier and you suffer from pain and inflammation in your elbow, then it’s probably best to think about getting a lighter pickleball paddle.
However, if the paddle is too lightweight as well, it might not have the thickness need to absorb the impact of the pickleball. If its too thin, the vibrations from contact will be sent down your arm and affect your elbow as well. So there is a trade-off when it comes to heaviness and thickness when looking for the right paddle.
Ways the wrong pickleball paddle can worsen your elbow pain
The wrong pickleball paddle can make your elbow pain worse for a few reasons. There are 2 main ways a bad paddle can affect your elbow pain:
- Lack of Vibration Dampening: Cheap paddles may not have proper vibration-dampening technology or features. This means that every time you make contact with a pickleball, a painful vibration will be sent down your arm and the shock will transfer to the elbow joint. This can cause increased stress on the tendons and muscles around the elbow, potentially exacerbating existing elbow pain or leading to new pain.
- Inappropriate Weight or Balance: Cheap paddles may be improperly weighted or poorly balanced, which can affect the player’s swing mechanics and cause additional strain on the elbow joint. Paddles that are too heavy or too light can disrupt the natural flow of the swing, leading to increased torque and stress on the elbow joint, resulting in an increased risk of elbow pain.
Is there a cheap(ish) paddle that is good for pickleball elbow (aka tennis elbow)?
If there is a paddle out there that is less than $100 and will absorb shock the way you need it to, then we haven’t found it. We honestly would recommend saving up and paying at least $150 for a paddle that will keep the pain in your elbow to a minimum.
Honorable mentions:
Best Premium pickleball paddle for elbow pain – JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS
This JOOLA pickleball paddle is an excellent choice for those suffering from elbow pain due to its because of the vibration minimizing core and mid-light weight. Having Ben Johns (#1 pickleball player in the world) as a sponsor doesn’t hurt either.
The paddle utilizes Swift Technology, which combines upgraded materials to create a lightweight paddle with high strength for faster reactions and more power. The Carbon Friction Surface (CFS) is a longer-lasting Carbon-Flex5 textured face that increases spin, while the elongated paddle shape delivers comfort and confidence with added power through the Carbon-forged handle.
The Reactive Polypropylene Honeycomb Core is a quality feature as well as it adds consistency to every shot, maximizing the bounce and feel necessary for high-level play. Not to mention (and more importantly) it minimizes vibration for better control and reduces fatigue on your elbow. The
The paddle also comes with a carbon-forged handle that provides maximum flex for additional power and comfort.
Overall, the JOOLA pickleball paddle is designed to enhance performance and minimize strain on the elbow, making it an ideal choice for players with elbow pain. It comes at a premium price however costing over $200, but well worth it for your elbow health in the long run.
Best Fiberglass surface paddle for elbow pain – Selkirk Amped Epic Fiberglass Pickleball Paddle
This is a great Selkirk fiberglass paddle if fiber glass is your thing. This paddle is made in the USA by one of the most trusted brands in Pickleball, and is engineered to alleviate pain in your elbow.
This paddle is great for pickleball players suffering from pickleball elbow largely due to its innovative design. The FiberFlex Fiberglass face and Polypropylene X5 Core provide optimal ball cushioning, reducing the amplitude and frequency of vibrational waves for a smoother feel and less impact on your elbow. Playing pickleball for folks with this Selkirk paddle will be easier too with a surface design that can diffuse their opponents’ spin. The paddle is also USAPA approved for tournament play, with professional players like Tyson McGuffin and Joanne Russel using Selkirk’s paddles.
The traditional paddle shape of the Epic AMPED, with its long handle making for larger grip size. The large surface area, offers a perfect blend of power and control with a sizable sweet spot.
Customer reviews of this paddle validate that the light to mid weight of the paddle and the design have helped alleviate the pain cause from their tennis / pickleball elbow as well. Great choice if you are looking for a fiber glass paddle.