All posts tagged Author Dave Regis

The Beijing Open and Tennis Injuries

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The tennis season is now coming to a close with but a few trophies left to fight for before the end of the year. This week sees the start of the Beijing Open at the China National Tennis Centre, with 17 courts stretching across almost 17 hectares. The Beijing Open has climbed the ranks in recent years, in 2009 becoming the top tennis event in Asia and this year will host the WTA Crown-Pearl Tournament and the ATP 500 event.

The season has been tough this year, with players experiencing many highs and lows. Andy Murray is a casing point in lifting the Wimbledon crown and ending 77 years of British disappointment, but at the same time he was unable to retain his US Open crown and has ended the season with back surgery.

How to manage sports injuries

Injuries are common among professionals, pushing themselves continually to achieve glory. Wimbledon this year saw the highest number of injuries in recent years, with many receiving sprains and strains from slipping on the court.

The road to recovery will be determined by the type of injury and its severity. The options however include rest, ice to manage inflammation, physiotherapy, light exercise, surgery and sports braces. In the immediate aftermath of an injury you should rest for a few days to see if the injury clears up. Ice can be used during this time to help manage any inflammation and reduce pain.

Sports Braces

We have seen an increased use of sports braces, with tennis not alone in professionals sporting braces for different conditions. Andy Murray is now sponsored by a manufacturer of ankle supports, though sponsorship aside ankle supports can offer greater protection to a player on the court either as a preventative measure or during recovery.

Sports braces are available for each area of the body to manage specific conditions. They are designed to enhance performance through breathable material and conforming to the skin or joint so that they are discreet and can be worn under clothing. The majority of braces also offer compression, which works to manage inflammation, reduce pain and maintain alignment of either the muscle or joint. By maintaining alignment of a joint or muscle it can help to reduce unnatural movements and with it the risk of injury.

Tennis Elbow Supports

Tennis elbow supports are used to manage tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), a condition caused by overuse affecting the muscles and tendons which can affect the movement of your arm. Pain can also be centred on the outside of the arm.

The tennis elbow support is designed to specifically manage the affected area of the arm, offering compression in the form of either a band or support skin. The main aim of the brace is to compress the painful area, helping to manage inflammation and reduce pain and enhance mobility as a result.

Whilst tennis elbow is not necessarily as of a direct result of playing tennis the tennis elbow support caters for the injury regardless of where it was picked up, from violin playing to painting.

It is important to note that the tennis elbow support should be used in conjunction with other recovery methods. As the condition is self-limiting it should rectify itself in time, with more serious cases requiring surgery. The support should enhance your recovery to help enhance mobility and activity levels.

Ankle Supports

As mentioned, Andy Murray is now sponsored by an ankle supports manufacturer, increasing visibility of the product and awareness of its benefits. Ankle supports are designed to protect the ankle joint, with varying designs available depending on whether you are looking at preventative measures, post injury and the type of injury you wish to manage.

With an array of ankle supports on the market it is essential that you understand your condition before purchasing one, otherwise you may not receive the maximum set of benefits they can offer. There are ankle supports which are designed for simple ankle sprains and simply offer compression to manage inflammation during recovery. For more serious injuries there are options to cater for ankle ligament damage, using straps to mimic the ligaments and ensuring the ankle is stabilised without restricting movement.

Following ankle surgery a patient may opt for a rigid brace or stirrup as a means of protecting the ankle from any unnatural movement. Following surgery the ankle needs all the support you can give it and a rigid stirrup can still give you the confidence to stay mobile without fear of your ankle giving way.

In the aftermath of any injury failing to stop your chosen activity can result in doing more harm than good. A simple ankle sprain for instance can manifest itself into ankle ligament damage if you continue to stay active, as the joint will be weaker and more susceptible to rolling. If you are ever unsure about the severity of your injury you should seek a professional diagnosis. Whether you are looking to buy ankle supports or a tennis elbow support a clinician will be able to advise you on the best option for your condition.

About the Author

Dave Regis discusses the use of orthotics for the management of sports injuries, reviewing injury rehabilitation through exercise and the use of bracing and supports. He frequently blogs and writes articles covering areas of interest, focussing on ankle supports in conjunction with other methods of rehabilitation.

The Federations Cup and Common Tennis Injuries

By blogger on

The Federations Cup ended in dramatic style in Sardinia, with Italy taking the final 4-0 against Russia. It has been three years since the Italians last took the title and with a decisive win they are able to show their supremacy in women’s tennis.

The tournament was a largely one sided affair, as the result suggests, but these two countries have been prolific in recent years at the Federations Cup, but it was Italy who took their fourth title overall.

Each sport has its own set of common injuries and tennis is no different. The majority of sports injuries are as a result of overuse, where fatigue can lead to an injury. Accidents can also be common in some sports, equally injuries resulting from contact, which is common in sports such as rugby and football. The following conditions are common tennis based injuries which players may encounter.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is typical of an overuse injury, with players complaining of pain and inflammation centred on the outside of the joint. Known clinically as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow affects the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow joint which can be painful and limit movement of the forearm. The condition can cause problems in being able to undertake typical daily tasks, from picking items up and even gripping a pen.

In the majority of cases, tennis elbow is a self-limiting condition and will heal over time following an extended period of rest, with ice being applied to help manage any inflammation. In more serious cases surgery may be required to rectify the problem, though in the majority of cases the condition should cease after a maximum of two years.

During recovery from the condition a tennis elbow support can also be applied, working to manage inflammation and pain which can allow you to remain active for longer. The support works by applying compression on the affected area of the elbow, which can be altered depending on the level of compression required.

If you believe you are suffering from tennis elbow and want to understand what else you can do to help with your recovery then you should seek a professional diagnosis, where a rehabilitation plan may be offered.

Ankle injuries

In a fast paced game such as tennis where players are required to pivot on their ankle and turn at speed, the ankle can sometimes be weakened through play and injuries can occur. Accidents can also play a role, as seen in Wimbledon whereby players slipping on the court caused a number of ankle injuries.

Ankle injuries themselves range in their severity, with three grades depending on the damage caused to the ligaments. A grade one is your standard sprained ankle, with mild damage to the ligaments which can be painful and affect your ability to walk but will ultimately heal within a few days following rest. This is the most common form of injury and can happen as a result of not only tennis, but from landing awkwardly, slipping on a wet surface or just rolling your ankle when walking.

The most important thing to do following a sprained ankle is to rest and try and not apply weight to it. As the joint has been weakened, continuing to remain active can lead to further injury as the stability of the joint has been compromised and the next time you roll your ankle it can cause more serious damage. Ice can also be used to help manage inflammation and if even the use of an ankle support for offer additional stability of the joint during recovery

Sports injuries are part and parcel of taking part and as players push themselves further the risk of injury is increased whether from overuse or from making that extra challenge on the football pitch. Whilst some sports injuries such as tennis elbow and sprained ankles are self-limiting and will get better over time there are others which will require further treatment, perhaps involving surgery or physiotherapy.

About the Author

Dave Regis discusses the use of orthotics for the management of sports injuries, reviewing injury rehabilitation through exercise and the use of bracing and supports. He frequently blogs and writes articles focussing on injuries such as tennis elbow and methods of rehabilitation.