Patient question
My knee feels unstable on the padel court. Should I keep playing?
Dr. Pablo GelberOrthopaedic Knee Surgeon
Quick answer
Padel's quick side steps, lunges and sudden stops on a grippy court load the knee in rotation, so a stretched or torn ligament, a slipping kneecap or weak hip and thigh muscles often first show up there. Pause matches until it is assessed, advises Dr. Pablo Gelber, knee surgeon at Aman Hospital in Doha, Qatar.
Why padel finds weak knees
Padel has grown quickly in Qatar, and many players come to it in their thirties and forties without a background in cutting sports. The game is played in a small space with constant short sprints, sideways shuffles, lunges to the glass and sharp decelerations. Court surfaces with good grip hold the foot while the body keeps turning, which twists the knee.
If a ligament is already lax from an old football injury, or the thigh and hip muscles are not conditioned for this, the knee may wobble on landing or give way as you push off sideways.
Likely causes on court
- An old or new ACL tear, often from a previous sport, showing up during pivots
- An MCL sprain from lunging with the knee collapsing inwards
- A meniscus tear catching during deep lunges, common from middle age
- Kneecap instability when twisting on a bent knee
- Fatigue and weak hip muscles late in a long evening session, letting the knee drift inwards
What to change now
Stop playing matches while the knee feels unstable. Keep fit with cycling, swimming or straight-line gym work. Build strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings and hip abductors, and practise single-leg balance and controlled side-steps.
When you return, warm up properly, choose shoes designed for padel with good lateral support, and avoid playing through fatigue. Playing in the cooler evening hours helps endurance, but late sessions after a long work day are when many knee injuries happen.
When to be checked in Doha
Book an assessment if the knee has given way during play, swelled after a match, or feels loose when you change direction. Seek prompt care for a pop with rapid swelling, locking, or inability to bear weight.
At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber examines the ligaments, meniscus and kneecap and talks through your goals on court. The plan may be targeted rehabilitation, or, for a torn ligament in a player who wants to keep competing, a surgical reconstruction followed by a graded return to padel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play padel in a knee brace?
A brace may give some confidence, but it will not reliably control a torn ligament during padel's sharp movements. Get a diagnosis before relying on one.
Is padel bad for the knees?
Not in itself. Padel is a good way to stay active. Problems usually come from returning without conditioning, fatigue and pre-existing injuries.
How long after an ACL reconstruction can I play padel?
Return is usually considered from around nine months, once strength, hop tests and confidence are near normal. The timing depends on your progress, not the calendar alone.
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