All tennis players, whether professional athletes or weekend warriors, suffer the pain of injury sooner or later. Bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons all experience pressure and strain during a hard-fought tennis match. The shoulder, elbow and wrist joints suffer the greatest abuse, although tennis injuries may affect almost any part of the body. The combination of hard courts and insufficient preventative measures is the leading cause of injuries in tennis.
Tenosynovitis
One of the most common musculoskeletal injuries that tennis players experience is tenosynovitis, an inflammation of the sheath surrounding the tendon. Tendons are the fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. Injury, overuse and infection are the typical causes of tenosynovitis. In tennis players, poor technique or lack of a warm-up routine increase the chances of suffering an injury. Tenosynovitis can occur in any tendon in the body, but most commonly affects the feet, wrists and hands.
Diagnosis
Only your doctor can diagnose tenosynovitis. Because the condition presents symptoms resembling many other conditions, such as arthritis or tendinitis, your doctor must perform a series of mobility tests to determine the underlying cause of pain. Tenosynovitis causes stiffness, swelling and pain in the affected joints. Fingers may become stuck in a bent position, a symptom known as trigger finger. Tennis-related tenosynovitis often leads to pain on the thumb side of the wrist.
Treatment
The typical course of treatment for tenosynovitis includes immobilizing the affected joint with a splint. For pain relief, your doctor may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen or ibuprofen. A corticosteroid injection delivered at the site of injury may ease swelling and speed the healing process. In rare cases, doctors must perform surgery to ease the inflammation of tenosynovitis. If the condition is accompanied by infection, then surgery will be necessary to remove pus from around the tendon.
Prevention
There are several steps you can take to reduce your odds of suffering tenosynovitis. Change your work or leisure habits to lessen strain on joints in the hands and feet. In particular, avoid excessive and repetitive use of hands and wrists. Modify your work space to allow for more relaxed joints. Stretch throughout the day and take regular breaks. A regular exercise routine also strengthens muscles and joints, improving your resistance to many kinds of injury. Warm up and stretch properly before engaging in a tennis match, and don't attempt to play through pain.
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