Pain in hand/wrist

[SuperDuy]

Hello, I have been playing quite a bit lately and have developed pain in my playing hand. It is in the area starting at the heel pad and running horizontal all the way up to the thumb. When I clench my fist it is sore in that area. I am not sure what could be the cause, I grip racket fairly loosely and don't think that could be culprit.

Something just feels off as I hit a forehand, my wrist gets sore after the shot, I use a sw grip and try to keep a firm wrist and try to swing with arm/shoulder and not use wrist. Grip size I think is fine as when I hold Conti grip, there is just enough space for opposite hand index finger to fit in gap between fingers.

I have been resting it too for 2 days and it is still sore along with shoulder and wrist after hitting.

 

[TahoeTennis]

I have had similar pain in my right/main hand as well, however it's more in the upper part just below the fingers. I would suggest taking a break for a few more days, WARMING UP for at least 30 minutes, and changing overgrips often to something super soft (I like Gamma and Tourn a grip)

I seem to have pain/some discomfort when I first pick up the racquet in the morning, but after a lengthy warm up, it dissipates rapidly. Also I might suggest washing/soaking hands in warm water. Hope this helps!

 

[SuperDuy]

I have had similar pain in my right/main hand as well, however it's more in the upper part just below the fingers. I would suggest taking a break for a few more days, WARMING UP for at least 30 minutes, and changing overgrips often to something super soft (I like Gamma and Tourn a grip)

I seem to have pain/some discomfort when I first pick up the racquet in the morning, but after a lengthy warm up, it dissipates rapidly. Also I might suggest washing/soaking hands in warm water. Hope this helps!

Yes exactly same thing, takes awhile but after I am warmed up the pain goes away. I will try the hot water method today to see if it helps.

 

[HappyMilk]

Could it be inflammation?

 

[Chas Tennis]

Give the hand & wrist a break from stress and see a Dr.

When you get back to tennis take some video of your technique and compare it to sound techniques. There might even be something obvious. Pay special attention to your approach - "......try to keep a firm wrist.....'.

 

[BreakPoint]

Do you use a stiff racquet and/or stiff strings (like poly)?

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Do you use a stiff racquet and/or stiff strings (like poly)?

Also, are you using the correct grip size for you hand? You may be squeezing the grip too tightly. Your grip should be fairly relaxed most of the time. You should only need to squeeze (less than 1/2 of your grip strength) on the forward (or upward) swing of your stroke. Grip the racket as if you are holding a small sparrow. You want to hold it tight enough so that it does not fly away but not so tight that you harm the bird.

 

[ttwarrior1]

ice, heat, warmup correctly, strengthen it, supplement with glucoasmine, manganese and gelatin

 

[sovertennis]

How old is the grip (not the over-grip. the grip) on the racket? Might be time for a change.

Also, where is your hand on the grip? If it's very low, ie the bottom of the grip is in the heel of your hand, it could be the cause of the problem. I had a similar situation to yours, and not make sure my hand is above the bottom of the grip.

 

[SuperDuy]

Hi all thanks for replies, have not checked this in awhile.

I was off from tennis for a week now and it completely went away. I use a 62 rating stiffness racket with soft poly strings.

Going to get back out there and see how it feels.

I hold my hand low on the racket handle so my hand is over the end as it seems to get more power that way, my callus from the racket is on heel pad.

 

[LeeD]

Get out there, swing easy and fast, grip loosely, and RELAX.

 

[boramiNYC]

if any part of your pinky is off the handle I'd recommend move the grip up so it's firmly holding the handle. long ago I had similar problem as you and my pinky had been hanging a little. now after stop doing that the wrist pain doesn't happen.

I thought I got slightly more racquet head speed but it just made me more dependent on loose wrist and control and solidness had been more erratic. since then I worked alot on using more of the core and legs and less wrist and everything improved. practice in ways that force you to use more legs and core. also it's like finding a better balance in using kinetic chain.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ Very interesting observation/find.

... I use a 62 rating stiffness racket with soft poly strings...

Soft poly is still poly. While it may be a bit softer than the previous generation of poly strings, they are still quite stiff and can still be rather harsh on the hand/wrist and arm.

Also, a 62 flax rating does not actually tell us how much frame shock is delivered to the hand and arm. In general, stiff rackets tend to produce greater frame shock than more flexible rackets. However, there is a lot more to it than that. A racket can have a high stiffness rating and still be very arm-friendly. Likewise, a racket with a low rating can be hard on the arm. The flex/stiffness rating does not accurately reflect how much shock will be delivered to the arm.

Case in point. The Volkl V1 Classic has a very high stiffness rating (high 60s to low 70s). However, it is considered by many to be the most arm-friendly (or 1 of the most arm-friendly) rackets on the planet. OTOH, quite a few knowledgable posters have indicated that some rackets that have a low stiffness rating (in the 50s) are very arm-unfriendly. Might be better to look at comfort rating or reviews to get a better idea of how much shock a frame might deliver to the hand/arm.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=419654

 

[ilovetennis212]

It actually happens to me when I was off from the tennis for a month.
I think it's the muscle thing.
You might want to add some over grip.

 

[SuperDuy]

This is how I grip racquet. I use a pure storm tour

I think it is semi western forehand but not sure

 

[LeeD]

This is NOT a criticism.
I always thought you were a hammer head, a guy who pummels every ball, like to hit hard, and takes a full swing.
As such, you need to fully warm up before going thru your strong swings. Is it possible that sometimes, you don't warm up sufficiently?
Courier was one, as was DickStockton.

 

[SuperDuy]

This is NOT a criticism.
I always thought you were a hammer head, a guy who pummels every ball, like to hit hard, and takes a full swing.
As such, you need to fully warm up before going thru your strong swings. Is it possible that sometimes, you don't warm up sufficiently?
Courier was one, as was DickStockton.

Yes I have been working on that lately, not so much all power any more. Working more on consistency now then once I get better will have more margin for error. Right now mid 4.0 I think?

 

[LeeD]

Lots of guys go thru a stretching routine before hitting the courts. Starts with knuckles, works up to wrists, hardly any elbow, lots of shoulder, then lower back. Then you're ready to step out onto the court.

 

[SuperDuy]

Lots of guys go thru a stretching routine before hitting the courts. Starts with knuckles, works up to wrists, hardly any elbow, lots of shoulder, then lower back. Then you're ready to step out onto the court.

I played a match last week with light wind. From the get go my serving was pretty solid (I usually do slice first and topspin second serve) so I thought what the heck and decided to do some flat serves for first time in awhile. I was really able to get pop and power on the ball making it rise high up the back fence.

At my level when I start doing some flat serves and keep my percentage not bad I am able to win almost all my points off the first serve. Not sure of the speed but they were really going good, maybe 110 mph? I need to get a video soon of hitting some flat serves. What I tried differently is throwing ball more in front and getting all my weight into the ball.

 

[LeeD]

Some days, your body doesn't need to stretch and warm up.
Other's, you might need lots of stretching.
Better to be safe.
Your serve vid was only posted a couple weeks ago.

 

[SuperDuy]

Some days, your body doesn't need to stretch and warm up.
Other's, you might need lots of stretching.
Better to be safe.
Your serve vid was only posted a couple weeks ago.

Yeah some days you just "feel" it.

My latest serve video I posted was all slice/topspin serves; I will try to get a flat serve one soon.

 

[LeeD]

Some TW posters advocate never using a flat serve.
Sounds kinda "god almighty" to me.
I don't expect my flat serves to go IN more than 35%. It's the threat, and it helps me position the returner, that I want out of my flat serves.
Most returners can neutralize a hard fast heater by standing back 6' behind their baseline. Then, the wide serves come into play.

 

[SuperDuy]

Some TW posters advocate never using a flat serve.
Sounds kinda "god almighty" to me.
I don't expect my flat serves to go IN more than 35%. It's the threat, and it helps me position the returner, that I want out of my flat serves.
Most returners can neutralize a hard fast heater by standing back 6' behind their baseline. Then, the wide serves come into play.

Yeah, I like to mix it up quite a bit on the serves. Today I played a little practice match and told my opponent where I was going to serve beforehand but didn't make much of a difference. I need to find better hitting partners, hitting with level down is killing my game.

 

[Ronaldo]

If you have hand/wrist pain may need to avoid serving and overheads, even volley practice. And fill a bucket full of rice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0At9BvISa8

 

[SuperDuy]

I think it could of just been overuse, I took a week off and played yesterday for the first time. No pain today and feeling fine after hitting 3 hours yesterday.