{
  "id": 340816,
  "title": "Sports surgeon: Pickleball and hyrox injuries on the rise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/sports-surgeon-pickleball-and-hyrox-injuries-on-the-rise",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T03:20:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/08/1507324/sports-surgeon-pickleball-and-hyrox-injuries-rise"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sports surgeon Dr Gan Eng Cheng has observed a rise in injuries from pickleball and hyrox among Malaysians. Knee issues, particularly in football and futsal, remain the most common sports injury in the country, accounting for nearly 60% of his work. However, pickleball and hyrox are becoming increasingly common sources of injury as well. Dr Gan noted that for right-handed athletes, left knee injuries are most common due to the pivoting and twisting involved in these sports. While pickleball injuries can occur in players as young as 12 and as old as 70, older players above 70 are particularly susceptible to spine injuries due to poor coordination and falls. Shoulder, ankle, and knee injuries are also prevalent in young competitive players. Hyrox athletes often suffer from overuse injuries due to insufficient conditioning, but these injuries tend to be less severe than those from other sports. Dr Gan stressed the importance of proper conditioning, core strength, and sufficient sleep for injury prevention. He also highlighted advancements in sports medicine and rehabilitation, such as minimally invasive surgeries and stem cell therapy, which have become more affordable in recent years.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: As more and more Malaysians play recreational sports, what are the most common injuries that they are likely to sustain?",
  "key_points": [
    "Sports surgeon Dr Gan observes rise in pickleball, hyrox injuries in Malaysia.",
    "Knee injuries, especially in football and futsal, remain most common sports injury.",
    "Proper conditioning, core strength, and sleep crucial for injury prevention."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rise in pickleball and hyrox injuries signals a shift in the types of sports-related injuries treated in Malaysia, with prevention through proper conditioning and advancements in sports medicine becoming increasingly important.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}