Elbow Pain

DAcer · 06-24-2008, 06:15 AM

Hi,
In the last 2 months I've been having on and off pain in my inner elbow while serving, but it didn't really bother me, and sometimes I would just put something on it during practice so it will not hurt.
On the weekend I played in a tournament and the pain was terrible, I could barely serve or hit at all, and eventually lost to someone I should have easily won.
I am 17 years old, a 5.0 player and playing 3 hours 5 times a week with 2 tournaments every month and 2 times a week off court workout.
However after my loss I couldn't even move my elbow so I've been doing pretty much nothing in the past 3 days, and I'm getting a little bit worried.
The pain is gone now but I still feel weakness in that area and am not sure if I should go to practice.

I've been thinking of stop practicing for a week and do something else instead, such as running or cycling, but I don't like to skip practice because it takes me so much time to get my strokes back.

Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do? what kind of workout or exercises can be useful in this case?
Thanks in advance,

DAcer

P.S. Sorry if I wrote it in the wrong section.

chess9 · 06-24-2008, 07:29 AM

What racquet and string are you using at what tension?

Rest, ice, compression, massage. May take two weeks to get you back if you rest.

-Robert

DAcer · 06-24-2008, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the input.
I am playing currently with PDR+ and gamma synthetic gut 16 at 60lbs.

chess9 · 06-24-2008, 07:41 AM

That's a stiff racquet (70) strung fairly high. A cheap solution to try AFTER REST would be to restring at 45-50 with something like gut or a very soft multi. The best solution is to try a racquet with a lower flex.

You might also want to take a lesson AFTER REST to have a pro evaluate whether your serve or forehand are contributing to your problems because of a swing defect.

-Robert

COME ON! · 06-24-2008, 08:16 AM

get a tennis elbow brace it will help lots

DAcer · 06-24-2008, 08:18 AM

Thanks for replying.
I work with a pro right now and been talking with few more so there's no problem with technique. I've been playing with this racquet for a long time and there were no problems so I don't think it's the problem.
I'll try the brace and lower tension though.

chess9 · 06-24-2008, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAcer

Thanks for replying.
I work with a pro right now and been talking with few more so there's no problem with technique. I've been playing with this racquet for a long time and there were no problems so I don't think it's the problem.
I'll try the brace and lower tension though.

Stiff racquets are known to cause elbow issues. It usually takes a longer time for younger guys to notice the problems. I've never had tennis elbow or golfer's elbow but I have hit with that racquet strung with Luxilon Big Banger and I could feel the vibration go up my arm. I've played with 'soft' racquets my whole life, so the difference is very noticeable to me.

Check Marius' sticky post above about elbow healthy racquets.

-Robert

chess9 · 06-24-2008, 09:15 AM

Oops, I see it's been removed or moved. Use the search function in this section and you will find tons of similar advice.

-Robert

DAcer · 06-24-2008, 10:31 AM

Thank you very much Chess.
I was wondering if you or anyone here have any ideas as to what I should do keep myself in good shape so it will be easier for me to return when I do.
Thanks again.

chess9 · 06-24-2008, 10:42 AM

Cycling and running and lifting are good ideas. Only lift if you can do so without pain in your elbow. You can do squats of course. They are great for strengthening your core.

-Robert

DAcer · 06-24-2008, 11:03 AM

Sounds Great!
I was just wondering if I should do any light weight lifting to strengthen muscles around the elbow? or should I wait few days before trying do stressing my elbow?
Thanks,

3lowdown · 06-24-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAcer

Sounds Great!
I was just wondering if I should do any light weight lifting to strengthen muscles around the elbow? or should I wait few days before trying do stressing my elbow?
Thanks,

Here's some info on exercises that might help - but like others have said, after REST. Even better - go to a doctor NOW and have the problem correctly diagnosed before you do something to make it worse and prolong the recovery.
http://www.tennis-elbow-treatments.c...w_exercise.php

06-24-2008, 06:15 AM	#1
DAcer New User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	Elbow Pain Hi, In the last 2 months I've been having on and off pain in my inner elbow while serving, but it didn't really bother me, and sometimes I would just put something on it during practice so it will not hurt. On the weekend I played in a tournament and the pain was terrible, I could barely serve or hit at all, and eventually lost to someone I should have easily won. I am 17 years old, a 5.0 player and playing 3 hours 5 times a week with 2 tournaments every month and 2 times a week off court workout. However after my loss I couldn't even move my elbow so I've been doing pretty much nothing in the past 3 days, and I'm getting a little bit worried. The pain is gone now but I still feel weakness in that area and am not sure if I should go to practice. I've been thinking of stop practicing for a week and do something else instead, such as running or cycling, but I don't like to skip practice because it takes me so much time to get my strokes back. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do? what kind of workout or exercises can be useful in this case? Thanks in advance, DAcer P.S. Sorry if I wrote it in the wrong section.

06-24-2008, 07:29 AM	#2
chess9 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 1.d4 Posts: 4,275	What racquet and string are you using at what tension? Rest, ice, compression, massage. May take two weeks to get you back if you rest. -Robert __________________ "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."-Frost

06-24-2008, 07:41 AM	#4
chess9 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 1.d4 Posts: 4,275	That's a stiff racquet (70) strung fairly high. A cheap solution to try AFTER REST would be to restring at 45-50 with something like gut or a very soft multi. The best solution is to try a racquet with a lower flex. You might also want to take a lesson AFTER REST to have a pro evaluate whether your serve or forehand are contributing to your problems because of a swing defect. -Robert __________________ "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."-Frost

06-24-2008, 08:16 AM	#5
COME ON! Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: On the Court Posts: 126	get a tennis elbow brace it will help lots __________________ Wilson nTour 95 Tecnifibre Multi-Feel 16 @ 56 lbs.

06-24-2008, 09:15 AM	#8
chess9 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 1.d4 Posts: 4,275	Oops, I see it's been removed or moved. Use the search function in this section and you will find tons of similar advice. -Robert __________________ "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."-Frost