Tennis Ankle Injury Supports
A tennis player is constantly running back and forth, jumping, and starting and stopping on hard surfaces. All these actions may lead to frequent ankle injuries. Sprains, fractures, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and sesamoiditis are the most common ankle injuries. An ankle sprain occurs when an ankle is stretched beyond its limit or range of motion, causing pain and difficulty walking. Impact or stress from falling can cause an ankle to twist or rotate awkwardly, resulting in ankle fracture. Tennis players may suffer from two main types of tendinitis: Achilles tendinitis and posterior tibial tendonitis.
The doctor will feel the injured areas to check the tenderness and move your foot in several directions to check the range of motion. If the injury is severe, your GP will recommend one or more imaging tests, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. Your GP will create a treatment plan based on the physical checkup or imaging tests. A self-care strategy like the RICE method is best for the first two to three days. The Rice method includes rest, ice massage, compression, and elevating the ankle.
Your GP may also suggest you take over-the-counter medications and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation. Physical therapy helps improve strength and range of motion. Surgery is required to repair or reconstruct the ligaments that won’t heal. Your healthcare provider will recommend wearing ankle braces.
Ankle braces provide the external support to limit certain motions, such as planter inversion or flexion. They also help keep an ankle aligned to control further injuries. Wearing ankle braces after surgery helps speed up the healing process.
To get the maximum benefits, you need to choose the right ankle brace according to your need and suitability. It’s better to get help from your GP or professional coach to choose the right ankle supports. At 360 relief, you can find a variety of ankle supports to help with tennis ankle injuries.
Tennis players may face the following injuries during tennis:
- Achilles tendinitis or tear
- Ankle sprain
- Stress fracture of the foot
- Fracture of the ankle
- Plantar fasciitis
An ankle sprain can occur on any court because of the multidirectional nature of playing tennis. Usually, the ankle gets injured when it is twisted too far out of its normal position. Frequent running and jumping during tennis can cause an ankle to twist. Clay court can increase the chances of ankle injuries.
Grade I and II ankle sprains may take 2 to 6 weeks to heal completely. You can start your practice after this duration or after the symptoms will disappear. However, a Grade III sprain is severe and can take a longer time to resume your game.
Generally speaking, it is not safe to play tennis with a sprained ankle. You should avoid playing and other strenuous physical activities until all the symptoms disappear.
The following preventive measures will help you avoid ankle injuries in tennis:
- Do not forget to warm up your body before playing
- Use proper equipment, especially tennis shoes, to prevent ankle injuries
- Wear ankle supports or braces for extra protection