Recommendations for wrist problem

[regalbeagle]

Would anybody have advice for a wrist problem? The problem: my wrist feels pain when the wrist/fingers are pulled back toward my shoulder or if it is cocked toward the pinky side of my hand.

It affects my serve/wrist snap and forehand volleys/forehand. Other motion is doesn't illicit any problems. The pain seems to be in the inside of the wrist as the outside ligaments seem fine.

A friend suggested that it is carpal tunnel, but I can type on a computer without any issue. I thought I'd ask the forum if anybody had something similar to this and had a remedy before I speak to a physician. Thanks in advance.

[SystemicAnomaly]

Do NOT snap your wrist on the serve. You should c0ck the wrist during the racket head drop/loop from the trophy position. This wrist c0ck is not a pure wrist extension -- do not lay it straight back.



The wrist c0ck should be radial deviation with some wrist exension. On the upward swing of the racket, the forearm rotates (pronation) and the wrist releases to neutral. Some people may refer to this as wrist snap -- I do not. The wrist does not really need to assume a flexion orientation after contact. A mild wrist flexion after contact is ok but not really necessary. After contact, just keep pronating the forearm and let the elbow bend to minimize stress to the wrist and shoulder.



^ And don't hold your breath like this guy. Things you should copy however: notice the forearm rotation, neutral wrist and bent elbow -- no wrist snap.
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[regalbeagle]

Thanks for the diagram/advice...is there any advice for rehab?

Looks like I have pain from extension and deviation.

[SystemicAnomaly]

For to mention that your grip should be fairly relaxed most of the time. Wrist and forearm/elbow problems can arise if your grip is tight most of the time. Keep the fingers loose/relaxed and let them just tighten up slightly on their own as the racket is accelerated on the upward/forward swing. On the Fh (and Bh) volley, squeeze the grip a bit just prior to contact with the ball.

Be sure to ice or ice massage after stretching after tennis (and a couple of other times during the days. Do not ice and do not perform static stretches just prior to tennis tho'. Some dynamic stretches/warmup prior to tennis is best. Heat prior to tennis would probably be ok, maybe even helpful.
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[SystemicAnomaly]

More about the wrist. Jim McLennan talks about the Sampras "snap" but avoids using the term, "wrist snap". Instead he use the term, "forearm roll".

http://www.essentialtennisinstruction.com/the-pete-sampras-snap

[vkartikv]

Do you have any associated elbow issues? Anything down the forearms in addition to wrist problems? I noticed by elbow issues when they started flaring up in my wrists, that's why I ask.

[mikeler]

Consider switching to softer strings and rackets after you do speak with your doctor.

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ To the OP: Yeah, what racquet are you using? Also, avoid polyester or other stiff strings. Go with s soft multi-filament at a low tension. And, as I mentioned prieviously, relax your grip.

Originally Posted by regalbeagle

Thanks for the diagram/advice...is there any advice for rehab?

Looks like I have pain from extension and deviation.

Do not use an active/forced wrist extension on your Fh g'stroke -- do not flip the wrist back during your prep. Many intermediate players and WTA players employ an active, forced extension on the Fh backswing. Take a close look at how Federer achieves his wrist extension. It does not happen on the backswing at all. At the start of his forward swing, he leads with the butt of the racquet and allows the wrist to bend.

<-- neutral wrist
<--lead w/handle



Note that Roger's wrist is fairly neutral in frames 1 & 2. In frame 3, he leads with the handle at the start of his frward swing. This allows the wrist to lay back.

Then you are at the net, assume a ready position with the racquet neutral -- pointing straight ahead (rather than off to one side). Your arms should be bent (at the elbows) so that you are not holding the racquet moderately close to your body. This should put a mild bend (extension) in your wrists. When you turn to hit a standard Fh volley, push the handle forward and line up the shot. This action should lay the racket back and yield more wrist extension -- w/o flipping the wrist back.

[regalbeagle]

I had golfer's elbow for a long time. Though now, it has healed. I use a TW Donnay Pro One strung with either gut hybrid or multifilament. But at the time of injury I was using Big Banger. I suspect it was a hockey injury that started it and now the serve and my forehand volley continued to make it worse. Thanks for the info.