HAVE YOU BEEN FRAMED?

I have written before on the common causes of tennis elbow. A racket strung too tightly, one that’s too light (particularly in the head) and even using too much topspin without good foot placement. I just recently learned of a new cause from a patient, a former high-level NCAA player who was responding well to treatment for chronic low back pain. He waited for the appropriate time to return to tennis. Within a week, his back was doing well, but his elbow and forearm were not – his grip, stroke and methods have not changed. Plus, the stringing was recent.

The culprit was the frame of his racket. It appears that the new graphite rackets degenerate internally and will ultimately force you to swing harder to complete the stroke. My previous treatment tips still apply: ice, rest, compression and identifying the cause. Now, add a racket checkup. Lightly tap the head frame on the court; you should feel the racket bounce upward. If not, or if the racket is four or five years old and you play between one and three times a week, it’s time to get yourself a new one.