Lima's pickleball players find sport is a big help in recovering from major surgeries

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - While some people have only recently heard of pickleball in the news over the last year, many in Lima have been playing America's fastest-growing sport long before LeBron James bought a team. Some are so dedicated that not even a major surgery can keep them off the court. 

"They called me an anomaly out there. They say I was doing things a lot sooner than what I was supposed to be doing," said Denny Smith, who has been playing pickleball for a year and a half. 

Everyone knows exercise is good for you, but pickleballers know that it's also fun and can even help relieve pain and rebuild your body after a surgery. 

"My knees are actually bone on bone. I injured my right knee back in November; I tore my meniscus, and it never really healed up, so I went to OIO, and they said I needed a knee replacement," Smith continued. "Actually, today was nine weeks since the surgery, and I started playing six weeks after the injury. So I felt really blessed to be able to get back into it that soon."

It's far from rare to hear success stories like this on Lima's pickleball courts. Those who lead an active lifestyle before they need medical help tend to see better results than more sedentary patients. 

"Any type of athletic activity, even if it's just as simple as walking, is going to help you build muscle, increase your bone density, and it's going to allow you to have a better recovery from surgery. Your procedure itself is usually easier for the physician because, usually, you're a little more fit. And when you're more fit, your muscles are more defined, it allows for easier dissection, and you just have a better result with your surgery," explained Dr. Dylan Mathews, a general orthopaedic surgeon at the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio. 

The nature of the game means you don't have to push your body too hard before you're ready. You don't have to run, jump, or overexert yourself to make a shot if you don't feel comfortable. Players say the pickleball courts are like a big family. Winning isn't the most important thing, and others are more than willing to accommodate players of all abilities. 

"Because there are always people in this group that we have that have either had replacements or surgeries or some kind of other limitations in their health, and they can play at the level they're capable of, and there's always other people that will match up with their level," said Linda Cornwell, who has been playing the sport for five years and recently returned after a hip replacement surgery. 

"They are so supportive. You know, they all signed a card and sent me a card and it had all the little quotes and stuff on there. It just made me feel really, wanting to get back as soon as possible. Because the people are so great here, and it's just a fun group of people," Smith added. 

That kindness and the friends they find on the court is what motivates Linda and Denny, and countless players like them, to keep going, no matter what their health throws at them.