Potential for Tennis Injury Hangs Like a Slow Lob

The return of the US Tennis Open to New York at the end of the summer may prompt many to head for their neighborhood courts or gym for a few rounds of this physically and mentally challenging sport. When played properly at a good, fast pace, tennis meets the recommendation of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) - for every adult who is able to engage in at least 30 minutes of rigorous exercise daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Tennis involves bursts of running and sudden stops, however; and for those not quite at championship level, the potential for injury hangs there like a slow lob.

Preparation and Safety: Your Aces

You can reduce the risk of injury through proper preparation and paying attention to the rules of the game and your own limitations. Preparation includes having the right equipment - a racquet of the right grip size and string tension, tennis shoes with good support, and light colored clothes and a hat for sunny conditions.

MSSNY recommends these additional safety tips, which are adapted from those of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS):

• Warm-up for five or ten minutes before playing.

• Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after playing tennis. This helps to avoid cramps and stiffness.

• Avoid playing on cement, asphalt and artificial-surface courts that do not have "give." Wearing heal inserts that absorb shock can help prevent lower back injuries when playing on hard surfaces.

• Keep a first aid kit handy and know how to use it. The kit should include compresses for bruises, and antiseptics and non-adhesive dressings for abrasions.

Tennis Elbow Anyone?

Tennis elbow is a painful condition resulting from the repetitive arm movement of hitting and returning the ball over the net. The condition can also be caused or aggravated by such diverse activities as golfing, painting, raking, hammering or using a screwdriver.

Tiny tears occur in the tendons that attach the muscles in the forearm to the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow. If the movement is continued without sufficient rest to allow the microtears to heal, the tendons can become inflamed. Pain in the elbow may radiate down the arm and may intensify when gripping an object or extending the arm.

MSSNY and the AAOS offer several suggestions for preventing tennis elbow:

• Start backhand swings from the shoulder and avoid placing your thumb behind the racket grip.

• Bend your arm when making forehand shots. This will allow your biceps and shoulder to take the force of the swing, rather than your elbow.

• Bend your arm when serving. Serving with a straight arm and firm wrist transfers all shock to the wrist and elbow.

• When hitting ground strokes, do not try to put excessive top spin on the ball.

Mild Heel Pain Can Become Chronic and Cause Other Problems

Another overuse injury, plantar fasciitis, affects the flexor surface or sole (plantar) of the foot. The constant movement and running involved in tennis can inflame the fibrous band of tissue (fascia) that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. The condition begins with mild pain at the heel bone and is more likely to be noticed after you stop playing tennis. Left untreated, plantar fasciitis can become chronic and change the way you walk, causing more problems in your foot, knee, hip and back.

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis also may be caused or aggravated by walking or running during other types of exercise, or walking or standing a lot on hard surfaces for a job. Being overweight or having very flat feet or high arches also increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

Rest and Recovery

Conservative treatment usually works. Rest is the first treatment for both tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis, according to the AAOS. Stop doing whatever is causing the symptoms and take some time off. Rest allows the microtears to heal. If symptoms appear to be sports related, check the size and condition of your footwear and racket.

Applying ice and using anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, help reduce swelling. Flexibility and strength exercises are also effective. Contact your physician if the symptoms do not subside in two or three weeks.

For more information on preventing sport injuries, call the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons public service number at 800-824-bones (2663) or visit the website at www.aaos.org.

This information is provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY). For more health-related information and referrals to physicians in your community, contact your local county medical society.

Tennis August 2004 - NY Medical Press 778 Words