Tennis Injuries & How to Prevent Them
Have you been watching the U.S. Open? Tennis is hugely popular all around the world and this tournament gives players a chance to prove themselves against some of the best to ever hold a racquet. If you’re a tennis player, you probably take it pretty seriously, even if you’re not competing in the U.S. open. When you love a sport, injuries are always a concern, and can leave you sidelined for days, weeks, or even months. Here are some common tennis injuries and how to prevent them, from the physicians at Resurgens Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Center:
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is one of the most common injuries for a tennis player. It is an overuse injury to the muscles that extend and retract the forearm. Because tennis players are constantly making use of these muscles, they are especially vulnerable. A warm-up routine that includes stretching can help these muscles stay strong and flexible.
Tennis Shoulder Injuries
Your shoulders are at risk for an injury due to the frequent use of the rotator cuff during swings and serves. These movements can cause damage to the shoulder and may become a nagging injury over time. Adding strength training and conditioning to your work-out routine may help prevent a shoulder injury. Warming up before you play will also decrease the risk of injury to your shoulders.
Muscle Strains
Because many of the motions performed by tennis players involve quick, sudden movements, muscles in the arms, shoulders, and back are at risk of becoming strained. This can occur when the muscles are not properly warmed up or extremely fatigued. Take a break when you begin to become fatigued so your muscles can recover and get ready for your next practice or match.
Tennis is one of the most difficult sports out there, requiring speed, agility, strength, flexibility, and finesse. Proper conditioning and warm up routines can help decrease your risk of injury. However, if you experience an injury while playing tennis, schedule an appointment with one of the physicians at Resurgens Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Center today and we will help get you back out on the court.