Can a too small grip cause wrist pain?

[Lilguy1456]

It's probably just my noob 4.0 stroke, but can I grip that's too small cause my wrist pain? I've been playing with a 4 3/8 grip for years, because I really don't have large hands, but I'm pretty sure it's way too small (fingers wrap around and touch the bottom of my palm).

Could this grip be contributing to my problem?

[LeeD]

If the problem is associated with you gripping harder than necessary to counteract the twisting effect of mishitting, then yes.
And if the small grip just twists more than your wrist can handle.
Touching is not great.
If you swing faster, maybe your racket's inertia overcomes the impact from the hit and mishits?
Fingers touching palm is not great.

[_craze]

I wouldn't call 4.0 a "noob" stroke, if it's a legitimate 4.0 stroke.

And to answer the question, I doubt you hurt your wrist from that 3/8 size. Especially if you're just now feeling anything.

What kind of stroke do you have off both sides? What grip do you use when you swing and how hard do you swing? Those factors are what would affect your wrist more, unless you're not hitting the ball cleanly with that small grip.

[Lilguy1456]

Full western forehand...2 handed backhand, but stick more with my 1h slice backhand. I'm certain the pain is being derived from my forehand side and not serve, backhand, etc. I mostly get the pain on 'awkward' forehands...

I swing mostly flexible racquets (PST Ltd and 4D 200 mostly), but I used full poly (Cyclone 17 at 52lb).

Now, I have pain even taking practice swings. The pain isn't HORRIBLE (maybe a 6 out of 10), but it's definitely enough.

[LeeD]

I'd think, if there was NO grap between tips of your fingers to your palm while holding the racket, your grip is too small.
Even Fed, Nadal, DJ, and Murray have SOME gap.

[LeeD]

Loopy strokes and late shoulder turn?
Those are heavy rackets for someone who self describes as "small". Maybe the loop with a heavy racket is stressing your wrist.
My playing weight is around 140, so a full 12 oz Mfil or Aero 200 is a bit much.
Bigger stronger guys can handle heavier rackets.
Maybe simplify your strokes with less loop.

[Lilguy1456]

Hmm...never thought that my small frame would be contributing to my wrist pain. I'm 5'10, but only around 125lbs (i know, it's a joke)...

Those racquets don't feel heavy for me (no fatigue), but you may be right about the motion combined with a 12+ oz racquet being too much...

[NE1for10is?]

I notice you're using a co-poly string. More than likely that's the cause. If I use poly in a full bed I can start to get wrist issues. I suggest going to a hybrid setup with natural gut, or full gut, or full synthetic gut for a while and see if that solves the problem.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by NE1for10is?

I notice you're using a co-poly string. More than likely that's the cause. If I use poly in a full bed I can start to get wrist issues. I suggest going to a hybrid setup with natural gut, or full gut, or full synthetic gut for a while and see if that solves the problem.

Very well could be. Sucks...I really don't wanna give up the poly, so maybe i'll switch to a softer poly in a hybrid. That should soften it up enough but still give me the poly spin and control.

[NE1for10is?]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

Very well could be. Sucks...I really don't wanna give up the poly, so maybe i'll switch to a softer poly in a hybrid. That should soften it up enough but still give me the poly spin and control.

It's pretty simple. Would you rather keep the poly and play with pain and then eventually not be able to play at all, or switch to a softer string? Its not worth it. Just do an experiment and try a softer string on one of your racquets for a while and see if the pain goes away. Also, most polys go dead after about 10 hours and become stiff. If you haven't changed it out in a long time you're playing with a garbage can lid. Another alternative I've read about is to keep the poly and drop the tension a lot (like 20 lbs), but I've never tried this myself. A wrist is a complicated joint and difficult to heal if it gets too screwed up. I highly doubt that the grip or your technique is the cause. A racquet that is too stiff may be the cause, but the Prostaff has a long track record. These kind or arm, shoulder, wrist and elbow injuries have become an epidemic with club players ever since the introduction of poly.

[kaiser]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

Very well could be. Sucks...I really don't wanna give up the poly, so maybe i'll switch to a softer poly in a hybrid. That should soften it up enough but still give me the poly spin and control.

You might also try to drop the tension on your full poly drastically, and I really mean drastically, <40lbs. Takes the pain out of full poly for me, gives a very significant increase in spin and no appreciable loss of control. May take an hour or so to adjust your swing because of the higher launch angle, but the extra top will help to bring the ball down into the court. There is a very big thread on these "Low, low tensions" in the strings section.

How long have you been playing with your 'heavy' rackets? If you are already used to them, I very much doubt that their weight is causing your wrist problem. Same thing with grip size. I'd go with anubis, you probably did something to your wrist without noticing it, maybe not even playing tennis. Had pain in my right wrist last year and was worried it might be due to the weight of my racket (13+oz...). Did the RICE thing but kept playing with the same racket and it gradually went away. Now I have similar pain in my LEFT wrist...

[LeeD]

Well, until I was 35 years old, I was 5'11" and 133 lbs. Now a porky post holiday 155.
You hand size is more influenced by your height, rather than by your weight.
I use 4 and 5/8th with an overgrip. I cannot fit my ring finger between my fingertips and palm, but CAN fit my pinkie in between.

[Lilguy1456]

I just really don't wanna give up that feel and that plow, so I hope that's not the issue...

Other problem...my wrists are SHOCKINGLY small. Like, girlishly small. I teach 5th grade, and I have smaller wrists than every single one of my kids...

So, perhaps I just don't have enough bulk. Maybe I should explore some junior frames....a nice 207 swingweight will come through the hitting zone pretty quickly also lol

[BlueB]

Originally Posted by Lilguy1456

Other problem...my wrists are SHOCKINGLY small. Like, girlishly small. I teach 5th grade, and I have smaller wrists than every single one of my kids...

This ^
I have the same problem. However, I'm not a small guy - I have enough muscles to hurt my wrists just by crunching my fists tight. I suffered from the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from my teen age. I even stopped playing tennis from age 20 to 41
As a youngster, I mostly played with wooden racquets (heavy) and grips way too big for my small hands. However, after the return to the tennis, I realised that too small of a grip can cause big problems, too. I need decent gap between fingertips and palm. I'm happiest with 3/8 grip+overgrip or 1/2 with grip removed (overgrip or 2, only). Racquets over 12oz can hurt me too, as well as ones under 11oz.

[Lilguy1456]

Thanks for all these replies! I actually starting NOTICING the wrist pain maybe last season when I switched from an APDC (stiff I know, but light) to a Head Youtek Speed Pro (very stiff and heavy). So the idea of switching to a heavy stick causing the pain actually makes sense given that...

However, I also starting playing a LOT more often during that same time, so that makes me think it might just be a repetitive motion type thing that caused it. Don't know. I guess I just have do a trial and error type thing to solve the issue.

I've basically been "resting" most of the winter, but the pain lingers, and is worse after playing. I just HATE the idea of an injury dictating how often I play, what strings I play with, what racquet I play with, etc. That is INFURIATING! LOL

[LeeD]

You'd think....
Somewhere between SW's of 337 to 207, there are lots of choices in between.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by LeeD

You'd think....
Somewhere between SW's of 337 to 207, there are lots of choices in between.

Which brings me to another question...and LeeD, with 20,000 posts, you could probably guide me here lol.

What might be a lighter alternative to say a PST Ltd or Aero 200 without giving up too much plow and feel? I don't think I need to go too much lighter...perhaps a tad though.

[LeeD]

Dunlop 400's are the first choice.
I play with 500's. Same 310 SW, but more plowthru on the 400 due to 2 oz of handle weight.
Since I have 3 Aero500s, I'm not changing for a while, or until I get younger.

[Lilguy1456]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Dunlop 400's are the first choice.
I play with 500's. Same 310 SW, but more plowthru on the 400 due to 2 oz of handle weight.
Since I have 3 Aero500s, I'm not changing for a while, or until I get younger.

They're cheap on TW now too...probably worth a shot!

[LeeD]

Dunlop 300's, but everyone mentions a certain lack of stability.
I"m not sure of the need for "plowthru" myself. I hit with heavy spin and fast RHS, and can't see how "plowthru" helps or hurts.