An amazing sport that can be played as an individual or team and has no age limit. It can be played year-round and is played around the world. Though tennis has lower injury rates than other sports, some common injuries are
Shoulder
- Tendonitis: Commonly in overhead sports, the shoulder rotator cuff muscles can become painful and inflamed due to overuse from stabilizing the shoulder joint for serving related movements. Tennis players tend to have muscle strength and flexibility imbalances on the dominant arm compared to the nondominant one. This is sometimes referred to as tennis shoulder. This can contribute to shoulder pain. As kids and adults play tennis more months of the year and the volume and intensity of practices and matches increase, the risk of shoulder pain and injury increases. With early diagnosis and treatment of this condition, we can help you return back to tennis as soon as possible.
Elbow
- Tennis elbow: This outer elbow injury got its name from the tennis one hand back hand shot. While its common in tennis, it is also common in non tennis players
Hand and wrist
- Tendonitis: This is common involving the tendons of the wrist particularly on the small finger side of the non dominant wrist as tennis players set up for the two hand backhand. Sometimes working with a coach to help use better hip and body position can help reduce the wrist stress
- Fractures: Sometimes tennis players take a tumble on the court and this is a common way to injure the hand or wrist.
Spine
- Sprains and strains: Due to the hyperextension of the lumbar spine on serve, and spinal muscle asymmetry from the dominant to the nondominant side, some tennis players are at greater risk of low back pain due to muscle, ligament, and even bone injury.
Leg
- Calf Strain: Sometimes tennis players can develop a calf strain from the sudden start and stop movements with tennis. A calf strain is also known as tennis leg because its so common in tennis players. Sometimes these can occur late in the match when the player is tired and dehydrated
Knee
- Ligament injuries: There are four knee ligaments that can be injured in sports like tennis and benefit from early assessment and treatment
- Patellofemoral Pain: This is a common cause of knee pain in tennis and teens and benefits from diagnosis and treatment of the underlying contributing factors
- Meniscal tear: The shock absorbing meniscus between the bones of the knee can be vulnerable to twisting and shearing force resulting in a tear.
- Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s knee): This is a common cause of anterior knee pain and can be difficult to treat. At Sports Health Northwest, we have some effective and minimally invasive treatment options.
Foot and Ankle
- Ankle sprains: Are common in tennis due to the speed and changing directions to react to the shot. Sometimes ankle sprains are more serious injuries like fractures or high ankle sprains benefiting from early diagnosis and treatment.
***If you are suffering from one of these injuries, or any other injury, schedule an appointment with Sports Health Northwest We want to help you get back to sport.
