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Tennis, Tennis Shoes and Tennis
Orthotics
Tennis provides a total body workout, and regular play is a
relatively safe and enjoyable way to stay fit. It doesn't take a great athlete to have fun playing tennis, but care
must always be taken to avoid injuries to muscles not exercised as much
off the tennis court.
This is especially true of the foot and ankle, which are put under
considerable stress by the continuous side-to-side motion and quick
stopping and starting the sport requires. Different court surfaces also
stress the foot and ankle in different ways.
Similar racquet sports, such as racquetball, squash, badminton, and
paddle tennis, also leave the foot and ankle susceptible to injury. Injuries common to tennis and other racquet
sports include ankle sprains,
stress fractures,
plantar fasciitis, and
tennis toe, among others. If they're minor, some of these injuries are
self-treatable. But if pain persists, we have a special interest in
helping tennis players so make an appointment to see us in our Seattle
clinic. We will help you get back on the court as quickly as possible.
Feet and Tennis Court Surface
Clay courts, and new crushed stone "fast-dry" courts are becoming more
popular because players can slide on the soft surface. Clay and fast-dry
courts are undoubtedly safest to the foot and ankle.
Outdoor courts are often surfaced with asphalt or concrete, and indoor
courts with carpet, none of which allow for sliding.
Tennis Shoes
Regardless of court surface, proper shoes are crucial to injury
prevention.
Shoes should be specifically designed for tennis. Unlike running shoes,
proper tennis shoes "give" enough to allow for side-to side sliding.
Running shoes have too much traction and may cause injury to the foot
and ankle. In addition, running shoes don't have padded toe boxes, which
leads to toe injuries for tennis players.
If you have foot problems of any sort, see us before you buy shoes. We
may recommend over-the-counter or custom orthotics that may change shoe
fit. If you already wear prescription orthotic inserts, make sure that
any potential new shoe feels comfortable with it in place.
Tennis Orthotics
It's a good idea to have us evaluate your feet and ankles before taking
to the court. We can check for excessive pronation or supination
(turning inward or outward of the ankles), and if necessary prescribe a
custom orthotic device for insertion in the shoe to correct the
imbalance.
Because of the side-to –side motion of tennis, we make orthotics for
tennis somewhat different than running / walking orthotics – especially
if you are a serious tennis player. If you just play occasionally you
can wear your regular orthotics in your tennis shoes.
Injuries and Treatment
Injuries on the tennis court range from simple to serious. Some are
self-treatable, while others will require professional consultation with
a physician. The most common injuries in all racquet sports include:
Ankle Sprains.
Corns, Calluses, and Blisters
Plantar Fasciitis
Stress Fractures
Shin Splints
Tennis Toe
Above all, listen to your body. Persistent minor aches and pains are not
normal and will become aggravated if ignored or neglected. Proper care
of the whole body, and especially the foot and ankle, will make tennis
and other racquet sports a healthy part of life for people of all ages.
Make your appointment today to be
evaluated at the Foot & Ankle Center of
Washington.
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All pages on this website © 2005-2010
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.
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