Wrist pain?

[khoikn]

I've been using light racquets (9.8-10.3) racquets pretty much since I started to play Tennis. Recently, I switched to my Lm Radical which is a 11.2 oz racquet. it wasn't until I started using this racquet that I started to feel wrist pain. I like the overall feel of the racquet, however, I'm not sure if this is something that I'll get used to or of I should find another lighter racquet.

I've been playing Tennis for 2 years now with a dampened always on.

 

[blakesq]

I like heavier rackets too. In my old age (45) my wrist has starting to hurt too. If I ice it down after playing, that usually fixes me right up. Good luck!

I've been using light racquets (9.8-10.3) racquets pretty much since I started to play Tennis. Recently, I switched to my Lm Radical which is a 11.2 oz racquet. it wasn't until I started using this racquet that I started to feel wrist pain. I like the overall feel of the racquet, however, I'm not sure if this is something that I'll get used to or of I should find another lighter racquet.

I've been playing Tennis for 2 years now with a dampened always on.

 

[dozu]

in theory, heavier rackets are more joint friendly as it should absorb more of the impact.

however each individual is different, and it's more of an trial and error thing (with a few guidelines), to find equipment that is most body friendly to that individual.

LM Rad is not the most comfortable frame, you can look at the rackets/strings subgroup to get some ideas.

Technique is also a big thing. stiff-arm, arm-only swings will put lots of stress on the forearm/wrist.... while a motion engagin the entire body with relaxed arm will put less stress. (2 years of play, will probably put you in the former category of poor technique)

 

[JRstriker12]

in theory, heavier rackets are more joint friendly as it should absorb more of the impact.

however each individual is different, and it's more of an trial and error thing (with a few guidelines), to find equipment that is most body friendly to that individual.

LM Rad is not the most comfortable frame, you can look at the rackets/strings subgroup to get some ideas.

Technique is also a big thing. stiff-arm, arm-only swings will put lots of stress on the forearm/wrist.... while a motion engagin the entire body with relaxed arm will put less stress. (2 years of play, will probably put you in the former category of poor technique)

True,

You may want to look at your technique. Keep in mind, I've never seen your strokes, but with a lighter racket, you may be able to get away with a very wristy stroke, but if you try to whip around a heavier frame in the same way, you may put more stress on your wrist.

Also, if you are trying to muscle the heavier frame around, instead of making a smooth swing, that could also cause some joint pain.

 

[Sreeram]

I have not played with LM Radical but I believe the playability of the racquet is not the culprit here. There are 2 possible
1. The grip size or shape is different and you are not used to it. It happened to me when I moved from Head to Babolat. Babolat grips are bigger.
2. Your technique might also be the reason. Beginers normally have poor technique and they over use their wrist to get power into shot. It could be easy to snap a lighter racquet but snapping a heavier one with wrist my be dangerous. Get a pro to check your technique and then try to swing with the racquet with least use of wrist.
Using a wrist band will be very helpful. Buy the Nike one that Sports authority sells for 10 dollars. It is great for wrist.

 

[mlktennis]

wrist pain is no joke. DO NOT just play thru it. It's prob a technical issue with a wristy stroke- the liquid metal racquet is not that forgiving but it is prob more a problem with being late in the stroke b/c the racquet is heavier and you are trying to make up the time with the wrist. Make sure you get that good quick shoulder turn and swing with the body- good preparation and execute a smooth stroke.

Just quickly search wrist pain and get a sobering view of what can happen if you ignore the warning signs. It's a small joint which has to absorb a lot of force- just look at all the pros who have wrist surgery.

Good luck.

 

[dozu]

definitely agree on the 'do not play thru pain' part.... let it rest... play with your left hand for now...

meanwhile search for equipment (racket/string) that does not hurt... and also get your technique fixed asap.

 

[user92626]

It's very simple. I don't understand why many people in this thread haven't understood it.

You had always had a wristy stroke. Over years your wrist got strong enough and could handle the 10.3 racket. Right now it could not handle a heavier, 11.2 racket. That's all.


On a separate issue...

About your wristy stroke, it's not possible to say it's right or wrong. Each individual's stroke is either sound or not sound for him/her. Fed, Nadal make good use of their wrists in their stroke. Their wrists move in their strokes very drastically, but they have their understanding and their strength.

I also employ my wrist a lot to flip and increase the racket head speed. Again, I believe I have enough understanding of using it and my grip strength. No problem with the current racket. But I can't say for sure if it'll be the same if I suddenly use a 12.5 blx tour something.

 

[LeeD]

For me, it's not so simple....
I've had back of the wrist pain, base of the pinkie finger, for about 12 years. I've let it rest, taking time off tennis for as long as 14 months, and it comes back within 3 days of tennis.
I don't have wristy shots, I'm old school, locked wrist, no turnover, very good technique.
Possibly over 6 sprained wrists on my left side contributes to the problem.
A brace sometimes helps a little.
Usually, it hurts after sitting for an hour or so after playing, so my next set is almost impossible to play with any confidence, due to wrist pain. It happens on forehands, backhands (only topspin) but never on serves or volleys.
I've switched from 10.4 oz OS rackets to LMRad to Mfil and Aero 200's and now to Aero 500's, and the wrist is the same.
Ice helps after tennis, but not handy during the break between sets.
Tough luck, be tough, live with your pains.

 

[schwuller]

listen to who said "wrist pain is no joke." i played through mine, and now i will have slight wrist problems forever even with surgery.
here is what you need to do. that's arrogant! i should say that you should look into doing what i did, and what has helped me.
either A. have a pro evaluate your stroke or B get brad gilbert's wrist assist and use it for weeks and weeks. some good players on here will laugh at that idea, but i THOUGHT i was setting my wrist and swinging through, but in fact i was not. a good player can put on a wrist assist, and hit forehands immediately just fine. a person who is hitting incorrectly will be shocked that suddenly they can't hit anything!
pick a racket that is arm friendly.
pick a string that is reasonably arm friendly or go all gut for a while and really do your wrist a favor.
i rehabbed mine with doctor's help. but it was so bad i could not hit a forehand AT ALL, and the only way i could play tennis was to hit backhands because a forehand would make me drop the racket in pain. the reason was my technique was f-ed up and i didn't know it until a pro told me; and i made it worse by playing through it and continuing to lift heavy weights and do many pushups without using a pushup handle (which saves the wrists). i will be good money you are in the same boat.

 

[mxmx]

I have wrist pain, but not because of tennis...but because of a mouse at work. I think i have either carpal tunnel syndrome, or tendinitis. Tennis seems to relieve the pain(most of the times) because the movement is other than that of the repetitive motions at work. To counter this, i have been using cordless keyboards and mouse, as well as stretching fequently.
I live in constant pain at work...but its been better since i started taking action...but even after almost a month of rest, the pain comes back quickly.

 

[only4theweak187]

Only time i ever had wrist pain was when i first started learning forehands. I was actually trying to USE my wrist to swing, i mean really force my wrist to hit the ball with a pop to get it hit with spin.

i didnt realize i was supposed to be loose and lay the wrist back fluid and use body rotation and kinetic energy to hit the ball, not intentionally forcing my wrist to hit the ball

 

[mxmx]

Yes, the more your whole body works together to create energy, the more it will divert and absorb stress in my opinion.

For example: When serving, it's not just about the arm and lower back, but also the stomach muscles and legs and so forth. On the forehand, too much wrist action on its own, is not ideal.

 

[dozu]

It's very simple. I don't understand why many people in this thread haven't understood it.

You had always had a wristy stroke. Over years your wrist got strong enough and could handle the 10.3 racket. Right now it could not handle a heavier, 11.2 racket. That's all.


On a separate issue...

About your wristy stroke, it's not possible to say it's right or wrong. Each individual's stroke is either sound or not sound for him/her. Fed, Nadal make good use of their wrists in their stroke. Their wrists move in their strokes very drastically, but they have their understanding and their strength.

I also employ my wrist a lot to flip and increase the racket head speed. Again, I believe I have enough understanding of using it and my grip strength. No problem with the current racket. But I can't say for sure if it'll be the same if I suddenly use a 12.5 blx tour something.

there is a big difference between how pros and how beginners use the wrist.

pros use it 'reactively', as the last stage in the multi-stage rocket, when the racket has already gathered enough momo from the earlier stages.

beginners use it 'actively', as the major (if not the only) power source.... that wrist is taking a lot of pounding.

It's a major technique issue.

 

[user92626]

dozu,

Not all beginners lack understanding and perform the stroke very differently or opposit of pro's. The stroke itself isn't something mythical, impossible for mere mortals to learn, except the pro's. So let's not sell "beginners" short!

Re using the wrist "actively" or "reactively" it's never purely one thing. You can't have a good stroke with a completely loose or limp wrist. Also, there will be shots that you run into that require you to firm up and snap the wrist a bit, for example running wide.

To me the key to understand the use of wrist is that it should be loose enough to aid / exxaggerate the reacket head speed but firm enough to control the racket. And it should be used well within its strength to avoid injury. In other words, too loose == you have no control of the racket into contact; too firm, too little movement == diminish or at least not aid the momentum created other components before it.