Shoulder Pain

Joker · 08-26-2007, 05:12 PM

I always get this pain, not terrible or great, but just enough to keep my serve from its full potential. It doesn't hurt for any other strokes other than the serve/overheads. Strangely, it doesn't hurt at all when im doing anything other than tennis. Maybe the pain isnt big enough for me to notice, but my game is really suffering from this pain. Anyone know whats causing this pain and what i can do to stop it??

FYI: I use a flatter version of a slice for my 1st serve, and a kick or a full silce for my second, depending on what I need.

jon44 · 08-26-2007, 05:45 PM

Impingement. That's usually the diagnosis for overhead only pain. There's a lot of good material on it: check out www.sportsinjurybulletin.com and click "shoulder." They give good routines to help stabilize the shoulder to prevent impingement issues, and many drills specific to tennis serves.

Just so you know, many people have anatomical issues that make muscular stabilization practically impossible. But there's a surgical solution, subacromial decompression, that has one of the highest success rates of any orthopedic surgery. I fell into this category, had the surgery 5 months ago, and serving now feels like when I was 18...

Sean Dugan · 08-26-2007, 07:16 PM

Sounds like classic rotator cuff stuff. I think you should stop playing for awhile or at least stop serving or hitting overheads for at least a month or longer if you are still having pain.

You might also take a look at your service technique and the type of racquet and string you are using. If you are using a light, head heavy, stiff frame that can be a contributing factor as well as using stiff strings (poly or kevlar) strung tightly. Or it could be a simple over use injury. I only hit a hundred serves every day, so why does my shoulder hurt?

You might consider switching to a player's racquet if you're not using one now; one that is about 12 ounces or so, head light and at least somewhat flexible. Those 9 ounce, head heavy, wide body things are arm and shoulder killers.

Leaning in too early and/or not tossing deep enough into the court on a first serve can cause problems like this. I totally screwed up my shoulder a few years ago. I was serving into the wind so the wind was blowing my toss towards me. I caught the ball too close to me/not far enough into the court and I felt something tear. I didn't serve at all for a few weeks after that and fortunately didn't need surgery and I'm fine now.....shoulder wise anyway.

Anyway, the previous poster pointed you towards some good exercises and that's not a bad idea.... but really just lay off the serving for a few weeks miminum (maybe longer) and take into consideration the other things I mentioned and you should be good.

TheShaun · 08-26-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon44

Impingement. That's usually the diagnosis for overhead only pain. There's a lot of good material on it: check out www.sportsinjurybulletin.com and click "shoulder." They give good routines to help stabilize the shoulder to prevent impingement issues, and many drills specific to tennis serves.

Just so you know, many people have anatomical issues that make muscular stabilization practically impossible. But there's a surgical solution, subacromial decompression, that has one of the highest success rates of any orthopedic surgery. I fell into this category, had the surgery 5 months ago, and serving now feels like when I was 18...

that's what i have! after numerous posts by me and by others, i now know whats up with my shoulder. after reading about impingement it all made sense.

08-26-2007, 05:12 PM	#1
Joker Rookie Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 137	Shoulder Pain I always get this pain, not terrible or great, but just enough to keep my serve from its full potential. It doesn't hurt for any other strokes other than the serve/overheads. Strangely, it doesn't hurt at all when im doing anything other than tennis. Maybe the pain isnt big enough for me to notice, but my game is really suffering from this pain. Anyone know whats causing this pain and what i can do to stop it?? FYI: I use a flatter version of a slice for my 1st serve, and a kick or a full silce for my second, depending on what I need.

08-26-2007, 07:16 PM	#3
Sean Dugan Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 163	Sounds like classic rotator cuff stuff. I think you should stop playing for awhile or at least stop serving or hitting overheads for at least a month or longer if you are still having pain. You might also take a look at your service technique and the type of racquet and string you are using. If you are using a light, head heavy, stiff frame that can be a contributing factor as well as using stiff strings (poly or kevlar) strung tightly. Or it could be a simple over use injury. I only hit a hundred serves every day, so why does my shoulder hurt? You might consider switching to a player's racquet if you're not using one now; one that is about 12 ounces or so, head light and at least somewhat flexible. Those 9 ounce, head heavy, wide body things are arm and shoulder killers. Leaning in too early and/or not tossing deep enough into the court on a first serve can cause problems like this. I totally screwed up my shoulder a few years ago. I was serving into the wind so the wind was blowing my toss towards me. I caught the ball too close to me/not far enough into the court and I felt something tear. I didn't serve at all for a few weeks after that and fortunately didn't need surgery and I'm fine now.....shoulder wise anyway. Anyway, the previous poster pointed you towards some good exercises and that's not a bad idea.... but really just lay off the serving for a few weeks miminum (maybe longer) and take into consideration the other things I mentioned and you should be good. Last edited by Sean Dugan : 08-26-2007 at 07:44 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode