A Note from Dr. Pickleball
There are certain phrases in life that strike fear into the hearts of grown men.
— Dr. Pickleball
Read Today's Musing: Let's Have a Girls' Game!
Expert Orthopedic and hippocratic Advice For All Pickleball Athletes and most humansWelcome to
Welcome to
Doctor Pickleball!
Mark C. Engasser, MD — Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with over 46 years of surgical and medical experience treating athletic injuries and orthopedic conditions.
What's on Tap Today?
Three musings, one goal: Keep moving, stay strong, and enjoy the game—and everything else life has to offer.
A little medicine, a little humor, and a few thoughts on living—and playing—well.
7 min readLatest
The Most Dreaded Words on the Pickleball Court: “Let's Have a Girls' Game!”
Every aging male pickleball player knows the five most dreaded words on the court: “Let's have a girls' game!” Dr. Engasser reflects on paddle-board solitude, the women who improve every single year, and the character flaws that keep him off the golden courts.
Read the Full Musing— Mark C. Engasser, MD
Can We Finally Reverse Knee Arthritis? Stem Cells, Cartilage, and a Little Cautious Optimism
An experimental cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis raises a once-unthinkable question: can lost cartilage be restored instead of replaced? Dr. Engasser reviews what the early science shows—and why promising is not the same as proven.
Read the Full MusingCan You Buy a Longer Life? The Billionaire, the Pickleball Player, and the Price of Aging
A billionaire spends a fortune trying to slow aging, and a national survey puts a price tag on an extra year of healthy life. Dr. Engasser compares the two—and shows why the most powerful longevity tools, from muscle to friendship, cost relatively little.
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The Knee Bone's Connected to the Belly Bone!
Bone on bone? Don't schedule that knee replacement just yet! Today I examine new weight-loss medications, unloading braces, the often-forgotten kneecap, and why your X-ray doesn't get to decide when you need surgery. Medical science with a little humor—and a lot of common sense.
Read the Full MusingThe Fathers Who Came Home—and Those Who Never Did
A follow-up to his Veterans Day tribute: after readers shared remarkable stories of their fathers' military service, Dr. Engasser reflects on the families who sacrificed at home, the fathers who came home changed, and those who never came back.
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A Veterans Day Salute: My Father’s Quiet Service
This Veterans Day, Dr. Mark Engasser remembers his father’s quiet service in World War II and reflects on the courage, hard work, humility, and sacrifices of the veterans who helped shape America. A family photograph of his father beside a WWII aircraft appears in the article.
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To Repair, Replace, or Reverse? That Is the Shoulder Question!
Rotator cuff repair, anatomic shoulder replacement, or reverse shoulder replacement — which operation fits which shoulder? Dr. Engasser compares the three with a new infographic and shares a personal perspective: two different shoulders, two different operations, and two great results!
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Sometimes It Takes a Reverse to Move Your Shoulder—and Your Pickleball Game—Forward!
Putting the ball where the socket used to be and the socket where the ball used to be sounds like a mistake. It's actually one of orthopedic surgery's most ingenious operations — and for players with an irreparable rotator cuff, it can be the first step back onto the court.
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Wherever We Cruise, We Need Pickleball to Amuse!
From homemade pickleball courts on a Norwegian cruise to battling ocean winds on the Nieuw Amsterdam, Nancy and I have discovered that the best cruise memories aren’t always made in port. Sometimes they’re made on the court!
Read the Full MusingElectrolytes: Is Sodium Something I Need More Of, or Just Something I Put on My Steak?
From Gatorade and Powerade to powders and packets — do we really need electrolyte drinks? Dr. Engasser examines sodium, sugar, and hydration with humor, the story of his uncle's violin case and salt pills, and a look at when water is simply enough.
Read the Full MusingCartoon of the Day
The Hedge Fund Manager
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Orthopedic conditions, pickleball injuries, sports medicine, injury prevention, and maintaining mobility — practical guidance from an experienced orthopedic surgeon.
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Healthy aging, exercise, strength, independence, and emerging research into extending healthy lifespan — science-based insights for adults who want to stay active longer.
"The Longer You Live,
the Longer You Will Live."
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Doctor Pickleball on Orthopedic Injuries
Pickleball injuries in the mature athlete run the gamut from ankle sprains to ACL tears, low back sprains to rotator cuff injuries. Many problems are nagging issues that do not prevent you from playing, but need a little help.
This website is a source for common sense information about frequent pickleball injuries and conditions. It also provides practical advice such as ways to prevent injury, when to see a doctor, have an MRI, or even consider surgery.
We want your OMG moment to mean "One More Game" versus a surprise "Oh My Gosh!" response to an unexpected physical problem that might have been minimized or prevented.
Topics Covered
Common Questions
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Mark C. Engasser, MD
Dr. Engasser has over 46 years of surgical and medical experience in treating athletic injuries and orthopedic conditions.
As an avid pickleball player himself, he brings both clinical expertise and firsthand experience to his advice for the pickleball community.
46+ Years of Orthopedic Experience
Orthopedic Surgeon
Grandfather of 8
Pickleball Athlete
