With Wimbledon in full swing, many people are hitting the tennis courts for the first time, or after an absence from the game. Tennis is a great form of cardiovascular exercise and is a great way to get fit. But it can be the cause of certain injuries. This article will discuss various injuries that can occur as a result of tennis.

• Shoulder pain: The repeated overhead action with serving, and powerful forehand movements can cause strain to the muscles of the shoulder leading to pain. This can be from one awkward shot or a repeated movement that worsens over time. Coordinated action of many shoulder muscles is needed to produce a powerful shot and this coordination can be lost. Your physiotherapist can assess the muscles of the shoulder and can assist with exercises to retrain this action.

• Tennis elbow: This is an injury which occurs as a result of overuse of the muscles that extend the wrist. Gripping the racquet tightly during a shot or using a heavy racquet can contribute to the development of these symptoms. Also poor technique involving extending the wrist during a shot can cause elbow pain. These symptoms can be managed with physiotherapy techniques, exercises and sometimes wearing a brace for tennis. It may also be helpful to get advice on your technique with tennis.

• Knee pain: Twisting and turning quickly to reach a ball is part and parcel of the game of tennis. This can cause irritation to the structures of the knee joint. An assessment of the strength of the knee muscles by your physiotherapist can be helpful in identifying any strength deficits. These can be addressed with strengthening exercises.

• Calf Strain: Tennis involves a lot of short sharp sprints. This type of movement puts pressure on the muscles of the calf and calf strains are common in tennis. Often you will feel a sudden, sharp pain in the calf muscle, often during a sprint. It is usually too painful to continue playing. In the first few days your calf muscle will benefit from following the RICE regime (Rest Ice Compression Elevation). Following this a progressive exercise programme will be helpful to get you back on the court.

Tennis is a great sport but can be hard on the body. If you sustain an injury during a game, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic. Also you may wish to avail of our functional screening service with David Richards to try minimise your risk of injury.