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TENNIS

As a sport, Tennis needs a combination of aerobic fitness and endurance. Training should take this into consideration. It also involves several spurts of anaerobic sprints, which should be incorporated into training the athlete.

Upper limb:

Injuries to the shoulder like Rotator cuff injuries are common. The player may complain of a dead arm. The other familiar overuse injury is of course, the Tennis elbow. It is technically know as lateral epicondylitis. Incorrect technique, racquet grip, sting tension and excessive duration of practice (>2hrs) are some of the predisoposing factors for Tennis elbow. Extremely powerful serves can predispose an athlete to medial epicondylitis. Some nerve entrapments (Median, Ulnar, Radial, Long thoracic, Axillary) can occur.

Spine:

Most are extension rotation injuries. Lumbar facet joint injuries are most common. Lack of flexibility in the shoulder and the Iliopsoas can predispose them to lower back injuries.

Lower limb:

Tennis leg is a condition where there is a strain at the musculo-tendinous junction of the medial head of gastrocnemius.

Young:

Adolescent athletes, in their growth spurts, are at risk of specific types of injuries to the epiphyses and apophyses like greater tuberosity of humerus, tibial tuberoisty, lateral epicondyle and Achilles tendon insertion apohyses.

Other factors influencing injuries are the Racquet characterstics (size, grip, sting tension)
Shoes, playing surfaces, etc.

Appropriate examination and investigations have to be done for the accurate assessment of these injuries. Various factors like the game technique and the above mentioned factors have to be taken into consideration, when instituting treatment.