Wrist pain from playing tennis? Here are 5 ideas for managing it

Ever played a tennis match and walked away with pain or discomfort in your wrist? This is not uncommon and can often be a sign of a tennis-related sports injury. If you do experience pain in your wrist after a match, you shouldn’t ignore it. It may get better on its own but could come back or worsen if left unaddressed. 

If you’ve recently experienced a wrist injury or have pain in your wrist that came from playing tennis, there are a few ways you can manage your pain and also treat it. To learn more about the types of injuries related to playing tennis and some treatments available to those with wrist pain, keep reading below.

What can tennis cause wrist pain?

• Overuse — One of the most common reasons for wrist pain in tennis players is overuse. The wrist can become injured when a player repeats the same motion too many times, makes improper movements, or uses the wrong type of tennis gear.
• Grip — Some causes of wrist pain when playing tennis may stem from improper grip. If you hold on to your racket too tightly or too loosely while playing, this may be the cause of your pain.
• Falls — Another cause of wrist pain is falling. If you’ve recently played a match and taken a spill on the court, your wrist might be hurting due to a fracture of some sort.
• Inflammation — Inflammation is another cause of wrist pain. For those of you who are avid tennis players, motions in the wrist and elbows that cause tiny tears in the tissue can often cause inflammation.

What kinds of wrist injuries can tennis cause?

• Muscle strain.
• Tendinitis.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Fracture.

What other kinds of injuries can tennis cause? 

• Tennis elbow.
• Rotator cuff tear.
• Ankle sprain.

What are some treatment options for those who have wrist pain from playing tennis?

• Physical therapy — One of the best options for someone who is experiencing wrist pain from playing tennis is physical therapy. Physical therapy is a great treatment option because it’s designed to address conditions at their root. A therapist can guide you through movements intended to build muscle strength and improve your range of motion. If you’ve suffered an injury from playing tennis, they can help you reduce inflammation and swelling and work toward recovery. If your goal is to get back on the court, they’ll help you support your weak spots or areas of injury to protect them from future harm so you can get back to playing the sport you love. A physical therapist may even be able to help you learn the right techniques for playing if your technique is what caused the injury in the first place.
• Anti-inflammatory medication — Anti-inflammatory medication may also be helpful for those experiencing wrist pain after playing tennis. This type of medication, when taken consistently, can help reduce the inflammation that may be present within the wrist and therefore reduce swelling and some of the pain. This treatment method is a temporary solution, however, and likely won’t deal with the root of the wrist injury. If not addressed, the inflammation may return upon playing tennis again.
• Pain-relieving medication — Another way of managing pain in the wrist caused by tennis is by taking pain-relieving medication. Any over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen, may help alleviate symptoms for a few hours at a time. This is another temporary solution that may help for a while, but unless you address the cause of your pain, you’re likely to experience it again the next time you visit the court.
• Rest — If your injury is aggravated by movement, then you’d benefit from giving it plenty of time to rest and heal. Whatever type of injury you may have in your wrist, it most likely needs time to recover before you return to play. Be sure to rest your wrist and use it as little as possible while taking medication or going to physical therapy. Try to avoid any movements or motions that could inflame the wrist.
• Supportive devices — Another option for managing wrist pain caused by playing tennis is wearing a supportive device. Supportive devices may include a wrist brace or glove to keep your wrist and hand supported while temporarily minimizing the movement in the wrist.

Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for any wrist pain you may experience after playing tennis

Are you dealing with wrist pain? At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address your tennis-related wrist pain. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!