Tennis is such a timeless sport. The rush you feel each time your racket contacts the ball is indescribable! So many factors come into play: speed, concentration, hand-eye coordination, and wrist motion. However, these swift wrist movements are what cause a lot of tennis players to get into trouble.
If you are a tennis player and have wrist pain, our expert team at Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow can help. We know the intricacies of the wrist and how to help it heal when an injury has occurred. We have many years of providing high-quality treatment to assist tennis players to return to playing the game they love. We can help you too!
Schedule an appointment with one of our hand and wrist sports injury specialists at our offices located in Atlanta and Marietta, GA.
Tennis is a physically demanding sport. So, whether you are an amateur or an athlete, you want to ensure that you warm up before starting a game to avoid wrist injuries.
The following suggestions can also help you avoid tennis injuries:
There are a variety of factors that can cause wrist injuries in tennis players. While tennis wrist injuries can occur with a single event, most wrist injuries in tennis players are caused by prolonged or chronic overuse of the wrist.
Additionally, wrist injuries can be caused by the technique being used. For example, radial-sided wrist injuries are more commonly associated with the Eastern grip. Whereas ulnar-sided injuries are more frequently associated with the Semi-western or Western grip.
A tennis player’s non-dominant wrist is often injured in double-handed backhand strokes, whereas their dominant wrist is often injured in forehand strokes.
Common symptoms of a wrist injury may include:
If you have the symptoms of a wrist injury, it is very important for you to see a specialist. The symptoms of mild and severe wrist injuries are very similar, making it difficult to distinguish the type of injury that has occurred. A specialist can evaluate your wrist and provide the proper treatment.
Detecting the symptoms of a tennis wrist injury in its early stages can prove to be vital in preserving the longevity of your wrist. If you maintain a high-impact routine despite being in pain, you could significantly increase your risks of needing more complicated treatment.
To accurately diagnose your tennis wrist pain, your specialist will review your medical history. They will also examine your wrist and surrounding tissues to determine the extent of your injury.
Your specialist may also order the following diagnostic imaging tests:
Many wrist injuries can be treated through non-surgical methods. The non-surgical methods used to treat wrist injuries include:
When it comes to healing, wrist injuries may take many weeks or months before the pain resolves. This is normal. However, by patiently adhering to your treatment plan and giving physical therapy a try, you increase your chances of seeing quicker results.
In some cases, when the injury is severe, surgery may be required. However, our team will try to exhaust all non-surgical methods before recommending surgery.
You can prevent or avoid wrist injuries while playing tennis by:
Tennis wrist injuries are common. However, they require the right amount of care—care that can help you continue playing the sport you love for many years. Our highly trained experts at Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow can provide such care! Schedule an appointment at our Atlanta or Marietta, Georgia offices today!
Randall Alexander, MD
