Pain on the ulnar side of the wrist (article)

[Marius_Hancu]

Pain on the ulnar side of the wrist in pro tennis (article)

First, ulnar is that part of the wrist closer to the pinkie.

This related link with a picture might help to understand the terminology:
http://uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/whathurts/wrist/

Now the main article in question, in which some of you might be interested. It's dated 2001, but ...

CLINICAL ASPECTS OF EXTENSOR CARPI ULNARIS (ECU) INJURIES IN THE PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER
http://www.stms.nl/june2001/artikel23.htm

Pain on the ulnar side of the wrist
(extensor carpi ulnaris, ECU)
including the recommendations at the end.

Preventive measures
A number of preventive measures can be taken to avoid ECU injury.

* The ideal racquet weight for an adult is between 280 and 300 g for women and between 320 and 350 g for men. The ideal string tension is 24 to 25 kg. Any changes in racquet weight or string tension should be gradual.

* Changes in swing patterns should be made progressively. If the wrist is painful, a flatter grip should be used for a two-month period and the player should wear a wristband (support) to improve pronation-supination stability.

* The wrist should be warmed up before play, using simple f1exion-extension and pronation-supination movements, first without and then with equipment. At the start of the training session, avoid striking the ball too hard. Warming up is particularly important in wet weather conditions, which significantly increase the weight of tennis balls.

* Before any intensive training session, players must be adequately prepared. American trainers on the WTA circuit regularly use support techniques to combat ECU pain. The aim is to stabilise the ECU under the ulnar styloid to prevent its luxation in front of the styloid, leaving the medio-carpal and radio-carpal movements free. This type of support is useful for early tendinitis of the ECU.