Chronic tennis injuries are conditions that develop over time due to repetitive stress and strain on the body, often caused by the repetitive movements and demands of playing tennis. These injuries can become chronic if not properly addressed and managed.
Some common chronic tennis injuries include…
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – This is one of the most well-known chronic tennis injuries. It involves inflammation and microtears in the tendons on the outer part of the elbow, leading to pain and tenderness.
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy – The repetitive overhead motions in tennis can lead to overuse and irritation of the rotator cuff tendons, causing chronic shoulder pain and weakness.
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome – Overuse of the shoulder joint can result in impingement of the tendons and bursa in the shoulder, leading to chronic shoulder pain and inflammation.
- Wrist Tendinitis – Repetitive wrist motions, such as hitting the ball with force, can lead to inflammation and irritation of the wrist tendons.
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) – Though more common in golfers, tennis players can also experience chronic pain on the inner part of the elbow due to repetitive wrist flexion and forearm strain.
- Hip Bursitis – The constant running and pivoting in tennis can cause inflammation of the bursa in the hip, leading to chronic hip pain and discomfort.
- Achilles Tendinopathy – Overuse and repetitive jumping or sudden stops can cause irritation and inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
- Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) – Tennis players can develop chronic knee pain due to overuse and stress on the patellar tendon, especially during quick changes of direction.
- Stress Fractures – Overtraining and repetitive impact can lead to stress fractures in bones, often affecting the shin or foot.
- Lower Back Pain – The rotational movements and strain on the lower back during tennis can cause chronic lower back pain, particularly in players with poor core strength or improper technique.
To prevent chronic tennis injuries, players need to use proper technique, warm up adequately before play, cool down properly after matches, engage in regular strength and flexibility exercises, and avoid overtraining. If a player experiences persistent or recurring pain, it’s crucial to seek medical evaluation and appropriate treatment to prevent the condition from becoming chronic and to support healing and recovery effectively.
