Rackets at the ready! The sun is shining and Tennis season is upon us!!
Posted on
Rackets at the ready!
The Sun is shining, and Tennis season is upon us!!
With Wimbledon’s Tennis Championships in full swing - Many people will be inspired to get back on the courts to whack some balls over the nets.
Unfortunately, this is also the time when injuries occur -
- Ankle Sprains - Due to the knees and ankles being put under stress during accelerating movements and quick changes of direction.
- Tennis Elbow - Repeated overhead movements of the arms during serves and smashes also put considerable strain on the upper limbs.
So, as we’re talking Tennis …... Let’s talk about Tennis Elbow!
Tennis Elbow can strike at any time and you don’t have to be a tennis player to get it!
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is a common term used to describe chronic pain on the outside of the elbow.
It is an ‘Overuse’ repetitive strain injury causing inflammation in the tendons of the forearm muscles where they attach to the bony knobbly point of the bone on the outside of the elbow (the Lateral Epicondyle).
The inflammation can be caused by prolonged gripping activities so people who play a lot of racket sports like tennis are most likely to develop tennis elbow.
- Poor forearm muscle strength or tight muscles
- Poor technique
- Excessive gripping or wringing activities – possibly a new racket or different grip size.
- Unaccustomed hand use such as starting the tennis season or increasing the frequency or amount of time playing tennis too quickly.
People also at risk include factory workers, cooks, painters, construction workers, canoeing, gardeners and those who use a mouse and keyboard frequently. Other activities requiring repetitive gripping actions or repetitive turning or lifting of the wrist.
