Common Tennis Injuries that Physiotherapists Treat
Tennis is a physically demanding sport that involves repetitive motions and high-impact movements, which can lead to various injuries. Physiotherapists play a crucial role in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of these injuries. Some common tennis injuries that physiotherapists often treat include:
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylalgia): One of the most common tennis-related injuries, tennis elbow is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons on the outer part of the elbow.
Shoulder Injuries: Tennis players often experience shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff strains, impingement syndrome, and tendinitis due to the repetitive overhead motions involved in serving and hitting.
Wrist Injuries: The wrist is susceptible to injuries like sprains, strains, and tendinitis, mainly from the impact of hitting the ball repeatedly.
Ankle Sprains: Quick side-to-side movements and sudden stops on the tennis court can lead to ankle sprains, which involves the partial or full tearing of the ankle ligaments.
Knee Injuries: Tennis players may suffer from knee injuries like patellar tendinitis, meniscus tears, or ligament strains due to the constant running, jumping, and pivoting involved in the sport.
Hamstring Strains: Powerful movements and sudden acceleration and deceleration can cause strains in the hamstring muscles.
Groin Injuries: Tennis players are at risk of groin strains due to the lateral movements and quick changes of direction during play. Also, tennis involves a lot of lunging in order to reach for shorter hit balls played by the opposition which may increase the risk of sustaining groin injuries.
Lower Back Pain: Repetitive twisting and bending while playing tennis can lead to lower back pain and muscle strains.
Achilles Tendinitis: The repetitive stress and overuse on the Achilles tendon from running and jumping can result in inflammation and tenderness.
Stress Fractures: Overuse and repetitive pounding on hard surfaces may lead to stress fractures, commonly seen in the feet and shin bones but may also be seen in the back.
Muscle Strains: Tennis players can experience strains in various muscles, such as the quadriceps, calf, and hip muscles, due to sudden movements and intense play.
Plantar Fasciitis: This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, often caused by repetitive impact.
Physiotherapists work with tennis players to not only treat these injuries but also help in injury prevention through specific exercises, stretching routines, and proper warm-up techniques. We also assist in strengthening weak areas, improving flexibility, and correcting biomechanical issues to enhance performance and reduce the risk of future injuries.