There are multiple lanes to explore on the racquet sports highway. While some people may only think of tennis, the options are seemingly endless. However, each athletic endeavor has similarities, including how they can lead to the most common injuries in racquet sports.
Shot to the Eyes
In most racquet sports, a projectile will come toward you at a high rate of speed. During the object’s flight, it may inadvertently hit your head or your eyes. A shot to the eyes is common for most racquet sport players, making eye protection a wise decision. Otherwise, a blow to the eye will, at the very least, require a trip to the optometrist to ensure it didn’t damage your vision.
Twisted Ankle
Racket sports participants often suffer from ankle sprains. This injury typically occurs because of a quick shift in the players’ direction. The sudden change of direction in one’s upper body can put too much pressure on their ankles, leading to an unfortunate injury. For this reason, players learn from the beginning that they should always be in a ready stance.
In addition to being ready, having the appropriate footwear is critical to protecting your feet and ankles. It’s important to find specific shoes for different surfaces or sports. For example, standard athletic shoes can’t beat pickleball court shoes, as the normal shoe fails to provide the unique weight distribution the activity requires.
All sports require unique movements, and the structure of the footwear will determine the support and safety it offers a player in each sport.
Nagging Wrist Pain
Most players compromise their wrists because of striking the ball too late. If you hit the ball too late, you won’t have enough power in your forearm when the ball strikes your racket, making your wrist absorb the brunt of the impact.
Swelling, stiffness, and severe pain are among the symptoms. If the discomfort becomes intolerable, it’s crucial to see a sports doctor, as first aid treatments such as ice may not be sufficient.
Fractured Back
The way your back twists and turns with every shot can lead to discomfort, possibly even resulting in fractures. Using a pain reliever to alleviate the symptoms is only a temporary solution. The more you play with an injured back, the worse off you’ll be. As the vertebrae shifts, so will your upper body and hip, leading to a more severe injury with a lengthier recovery time.
Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis is the technical term for tennis elbow, which is tendon inflammation in the forearm and elbow. It flares up from continuously using the muscles in your arm in a racquet sport—hence, the name. Stretching and icing the arm after each contest will pay dividends.
Learning about some of the most common injuries in racquet sports helps prepare your body to prevent a debilitating injury before and after you compete. Playing through pain may prove your resilience, but you might regret it when you’re on the sidelines for an extended period.
