3 Common Shoulder Injuries In Tennis & How to Avoid Them
Tennis is one of the most popular racket sports and a great way to stay active. However, repetitive movements can lead to several types of shoulder injuries in tennis. Explore the most common shoulder-related injuries in the sport and how a sports medicine doctor can help get you back on the court quicker.
Common Shoulder Injuries
Did you know that most tennis injuries are due to overuse? Here are three tennis-related shoulder injuries avid players may develop:
1. Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow — medically known as lateral epicondylitis — is caused by inflammation of the forearm muscles and tendons outside the elbow. It’s often caused by improper backhand technique or body positioning. Common tennis elbow symptoms include pain localized to the outside of the elbow and moderate to severe pain with certain wrist movements.
2. Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint that allow for stability and multi-directional motion. Rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when these tendons become inflamed, resulting in limitations in shoulder motion and function. It’s often caused by repetitive overhead movements.
3. Shoulder Bursitis
Inside each shoulder is a tiny, fluid-filled sac known as a bursa. Bursae help reduce friction between the bones in your joints. If the bursa becomes inflamed, it can lead to a condition called shoulder bursitis. Bursitis symptoms vary by type and severity but may include swelling, excessive warmth at the site, tenderness, pain, and/or fever.
Treating Shoulder Injuries
The best way to deal with tennis-related shoulder injuries is to address them when they first start giving you pain. If it’s a repetitive stress injury, staying on the court longer will only further irritate it and possibly make your recovery longer and more difficult.
Aspirin and other over-the-counter medication are often the first lines of defense in temporarily relieving inflammation and other sources of shoulder pain. If pain persists for more than a few days or resumes when you begin playing, make an appointment with your sports medicine doctor.
After an examination, we’ll be able to determine whether a nonsurgical treatment, such as physical therapy, joint and bursa injections, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, will be effective at relieving your symptoms. When surgery is necessary, you can take comfort in knowing that we provide the latest, state-of-the-art procedures, allowing us to deliver better outcomes and faster recovery times.
Knowing the common shoulder injuries in tennis can help you address your symptoms and avoid long-term complications. If you find yourself with pain or an injury, NY Orthopedics offers multiple locations across New York and an office in New Jersey with top-level care to get you back on the court in no time. Schedule an appointment with us today!
