The US Open in Flushing Meadows is well under way, with Federer and Nadal in fine form moving into day 5 of the competition. With a disappointing few tournaments for some of the world’s biggest and best players the US Open will offer an opportunity redeem themselves and add another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet.
Whilst the injury list thus far at the US Open is not nearly as long as that experienced in Wimbledon there have still been some casualties from common injuries sustained on the tennis court. The Wimbledon semi-finalist succumbed to a back injury and was knocked out in the first round of the tournament.
Tennis injuries can strike both professionals and amateurs alike, with common injuries including muscle complaints and joint issues as a result of either overuse or over stretching. Sports braces are often seen being donned by tennis stars with the likes of Andy Murray sporting ankle supports and now Jerzy Janowic requiring the use of back braces following his injury at the US Open.
Back injuries and the use of back braces
Back injuries can be common among sports stars where either a great deal of turning is required of them or as a result of heavy lifting. From a tennis perspective the requirement of the player to pivot the body and constantly stretching for shots can put a strain on the lower back.
There can be different severities of back injuries, from a simple muscle strain to something requiring extended periods of rest and physiotherapy to get back to full fitness.
In the event of injury back braces are typically employed as a means of protecting the area during movement. Back braces are designed to manage lower back injuries by offering additional protection to the patient. Compression is used as a means of managing inflammation and pain, allowing the patient to continue staying active during rehabilitation.
Depending on the severity of the back injury sustained, it may be advisable to avoid high intensity sports such as tennis until you are full fit. Back braces are merely a device to be used during recovery offering extra support when walking, getting up from a chair or carrying out simple tasks like shopping.
Ankle injuries and the use of ankle supports
Ankle injuries are another common form of injuries sustained by tennis players. Sprained ankles are probably one of the more common forms of ankle injury on the tennis court, with players rolling their ankle from either turning too quickly or slipping on the court. Both amateurs and professionals alike now turn to sports braces as a means of protecting their joints or following an injury to help with recovery, with ankle supports widely available to manage different types of ankle conditions.
Wimbledon saw a number of ankle injuries from players as a result of slipping on the court. The rolling of the ankle can cause anything from a sprain to ligament damage, with recovery times from a few days to a few months. Ankle ligament damage can even lead to surgery to rectify the issue and a lengthy spell on the sidelines with physiotherapy and even the use of ankle supports.
Ankle supports can be worn both as a preventative measure or post injury as a means of protecting the joint further. There are different types of ankle supports available depending on what type of injury you are looking to manage and the level of activity you still wish to undertake.
If you have suffered a serious sprain or recovering following surgery then restricting movement can be very important, with stirrup ankle supports being offered which are rigid by design to offer maximum protection to the joint. The rigid ankle supports are designed to minimise unnecessary or ambiguous movements of the joint during the recovery period.
For minor sprains where the patient still wishes to remain mobile then material based ankle supports should be used. This type of ankle supports offer compression as a means of managing inflammation and pain whilst not restricting movement. Protection of the joint is essential following a sprain as the ankle could be more susceptible to further injury from rolling, therefore ankle supports give the patient the confidence to continue as normal.
The most important thing to remember following an injury is to rest in order to avoid doing any further damage. Rest is important following any injury and using ice can help to manage any inflammation and soothe any pain felt. The use of back braces and ankle supports can offer the patient confidence to stay active whilst helping to manage their injury. If you have any questions regarding your injury or the type of ankle supports which may be required then you should always seek clinical advice.
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Managing Common Knee Injuries Ahead Of The Champions League Last 16
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Common Knee Injuries From Mountain Biking
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