Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, has just ended. Active tennis players may be inspired to hit the court, while older players may be motivated to dust off their tennis rackets and new fans to try playing for the first time. However, before you resume a sport or attempt it for the first time, it’s important to understand the potential for injury and look for ways to avoid it.

Like many sports, tennis is a full-body sport – players run, stand in position, swing and hit. The sport demands endurance, flexibility and muscle-conditioning exercises, which are all important to injury prevention.

The most common types of tennis injuries associated with tennis are rotator cuff tendinitis, tennis elbow, wrist strains, back pain, front knee pain, calf and Achilles tendon injuries, ankle sprains and tennis toe.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis often results in the overuse of the rotator cuff. In tennis, this is mainly caused from excessive overhand serving. To lessen the chance of injury to your rotator cuff, the physicians (and tennis players) at Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville recommend examining your overhand technique and making sure the angle between your arm and side is more than 90 degrees. If your shoulder is acting up after serving, the standard treatment includes rest, ice and ibuprofen.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is caused by the inflammation or small tears of the forearm muscles and tendons on the outside of the elbow. This injury typically occurs because of a poor backhand technique. It can be caused by the combination of improper body positioning, the elbow leading the racket and late strokes that overload on the tendons. To help prevent tennis elbow, many non-professional players rely on the two-handed backhand technique. Another important factor is the racket, which should be the proper size for the player. A reputable tennis shop can help fit your racket properly to your body.

Wrist Strain

Wrist strain is often caused when the racket is held with a “laid-back” grip, meaning the player rotates the palm upward and quickly turns the wrist over to hit the ball. To best prevent this injury, consider using the “hand-shake” grip instead.

Back Pain

Back pain in tennis players is often related to exaggerated arched or swaybacked posture during the serve. Exaggerated movement puts stress on the small joints and soft tissues of the spine. Preventive measures include a conditioning program with emphasis on strengthening the core and back muscles.

Knee Pain

Front knee pain is the most common knee problem among tennis players. Knee pain is due to the softening of the cartilage of the kneecap or tendinitis. This injury often results from the “spring-up” action that happens when a player serves the ball.

Lower Leg Injuries

The most common cause of calf injuries is tight calf muscles. Achilles tendinitis occurs when the Achilles tendon is inflamed and overused. Since tennis players are constantly moving all over the court, ankle sprains can happen at any time. It’s important for players to wear proper fitting shoes that have substantial support built into the outer counter of the shoe.

Tennis toe occurs when the toes are jammed against the toe box of the shoe during quick starts and stops. To prevent tennis toe, wear proper fitting footwear and keep toenails cut short.

If bone or joint injuries do happen, it’s best to seek an orthopedic professional who is experienced in Ohio Sports Medicine.

What is tennis elbow, anyway? The sports medicine team at Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville explain that it refers to the pain that occurs over time from repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm, leading to small tears of the tendons. Tennis is just one way you can get it.

If pain persists after rest and ice, physical therapists may use ultrasound or other modalities to help heal the damage of an injury. Additionally, they may prescribe flexibility and strengthening exercises to allow you to return to the activity. In some cases, a wrist splint or brace may be recommended.

Do you have questions about tennis elbow? Post them here for the Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville to provide answers.