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.