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Tennis injuries: prevention and treatment

A review

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia

Frank C. McCue, III, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia

David A. Rockwell, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia

Joe H. Gieck, R.P.T., CAT, ED.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia

When players are engaged in the sport of tennis, injuries may occur to the eyes, in the neck, to the shoulder and back, arm and elbow, wrist and hand, and feet. The key to prevention and treatment of these injuries is good coaching and a formal stretching and strengthening program.

The drooped "tennis shoulder" of professionals and senior tennis players is a natural response to heavy use. Shoulder elevating exercises are useful when soreness is associated. The treatment of tennis elbow includes wrist extensor stretching, isometrics, and light weightlifting. When a player follows this program, injections or counterforce braces are rarely needed. It is important for the player to bring his racket to the exami nation so that his stroke mechanics and grip can be checked. Wrist soreness in a tennis player may denote a hamate hook fracture. Special radiographic views are needed to discern the fracture and it is treated with a short arm cast and little finger extension splint. Nonunion of a hamate hook requires excision. The calf pain prodrome of "tennis leg" requires rest and then a stretching program. Tennis shoes should have rolled heels and large toe boxes with reinforced toe bumpers. The physician may have to fashion soft inserts for the tennis shoes; arch supports may be insufficient.

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