A Guide to Common Tennis Wrist Injuries
There are plenty of tennis wrist injuries that can develop as a result of the repetitive, vibrating forces that tennis exerts against one’s wrist. The wrist is made up of several small bones that meet with the radius and ulna on the bottom and at the top connect to several bones in the hand. These bones are held together with the help of ligaments, which are tough, fibrous tissues which connect bone to bone. The muscles of the arm and hands are connected to the eight main wrist bones by tendons, or cord-like tissues which bind muscles to bone. Tendons allow the wrist an immense amount of flexibility and rotation. We are going to talk about two of the most common conditions to affect the sensitive wrist joint and how these conditions can be treated.
Wrist Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a condition with specifically affects the tendons of a joint. When playing tennis, wrist tendonitis is a likely injury simply due to the amount of stress that this sport enforces against the tendons located in the wrist. When a tendon in the wrist becomes frayed or even tears, it becomes inflamed. The typical symptoms of inflammation include redness of the affected area, swelling, and pain during movement. Due to swelling, the wrist may become difficult to move. Tendonitis is often accompanied by pain during movement of the wrist. Even while the wrist is stationary, it may still produce a dull but persistent pulsing pain, similar to a toothache.
Wrist tendonitis can lead to very serious and long-term strength and performance issues if the condition is not treated immediately and effectively. As soon as pain occurs in the wrist, all movement should be ceased. An ice pack should be applied as soon as possible and left for about 20 minutes. A fresh ice pack should be reapplied every four hours or so for the first 48 hours after injury. The key to recovery from tendonitis lies in resting the joint. Ideally, the wrist should be placed in a brace to prevent movement for at least a week or two—maybe more depending on the severity of the tendonitis. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can be taken to reduce swelling and to manage pain.
Sprained Ligament
A common cause of a sprained wrist is using incorrect form when hitting the tennis ball. Unfortunately, even tennis pros are susceptible to a “mis-hit” every now and then. A sprain occurs when a ligament in the wrist is stretched too far or if it is stretched the wrong way. There are three main “grades” of a sprain based upon the severity of the damage. A Grade 1 sprain occurs when the ligament is stretched beyond its normal confines. A Grade 2 sprain is the result of a partial-tear of the ligament. A Grade 3 sprain is the most severe and occurs when the ligament it completely torn. The symptoms of Grade 1 and 2 sprains are quite similar. The joint is often painful when moved and bruising and swelling may result, however these symptoms will be much more pronounced with a Grade 2 sprain. A Grade 3 sprain often results in limited movement or the inability to move the wrist or hand. If a Grade 3 sprain is suspected, one should visit the emergency room immediately. A full tear of a ligament could result in a life-long hindrance of movement if the ligament is not treated quickly.
The recommended treatment for a wrist sprain can easily be recalled by using the anagram RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. The first 48 hours after an injury is the most critical to setting a good “foundation” for the healing process. Any activities which cause pain to the wrist should be avoided. In fact, complete immobilization for the first two days is ideal. Ice should be applied to the skin for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Exposing the skin to ice for a longer period of time could actually damage the tissues there. Compression, in the form of an ACE band will help stabilize the joint and further immobilize it. One should take care not to restrict blood flow to the area, as adequate circulation is essential to the proper healing of tissues. And finally, one should try to elevate the wrist above heart-level as often as possible as this will minimize swelling in the joint. This is especially important while one is sleeping, and can be achieved by resting the arm on a pillow while in bed.
Tennis wrist injuries should be taken seriously. Failing to obtain the proper treatment or continuing strenuous activity could lead to long-term and even permanent damage. If one is ever in doubt about the severity of their injury or how it should be treated, they should consult their doctor for a diagnosis and treatment guidance.