Tennis is a demanding sport requiring hand-eye coordination together with running, positioning, swinging, and hitting.

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendonitis is an injury that occurs due to overuse of the Achilles tendon. Acute Achilles tendonitis can happen when an athlete increases his or her training suddenly. This type of tendonitis normally fades with rest and then can become chronic Achilles tendonitis. Chronic Achilles tendonitis can be caused by a variety of different reasons, such as increased activity, lowered recovery time, new footwear, or even weakened calf muscles.

Symptoms

o Pain behind the ankle increasing over time
o Pain at the beginning of exercise but disappearing slowly during the activity
o Achilles tendon is tender to touch

Treatment

o Rest and apply ice to injury
o Anti-inflammatory medication if necessary
o Sports massage or ultrasound

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Achilles tendinitis will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

A torn ACL is a very common injury throughout all types of sports. The cause of most ACL tears is due to either a twisting of the knee or a traumatic blow to the outside of the knee joint. Women are actually more prone to ACL injuries although the reason behind their prevalence is unknown.

Symptoms

o A loud pop in the knee at the time of injury
o Swelling of the knee immediately after sustaining the injury
o Restriction of movement in the knee joint
o Extensive amounts of pain after the injury occurs

Treatment

o Pre-surgical rehabilitation
o Surgery required when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for ACL injuries will ensure a full recovery.

Bursitis of the Elbow (Olecranon Bursitis)

Bursitis of the Elbow or Olecranon Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa that rests on top of the olecranon process. The bursa is positioned in-between the ulna and the skin making it very easy to irritate and create inflammation.

The function of the Olecranon bursa is to allow for skin to slide over the elbow without causing tissue tears. The bursitis may be caused by acute or repetitive trauma.

Symptoms

o Affected area may be red or warm
o End-range of motion in the elbow will be restricted moderately
o Tenderness at the location of the injury

Treatment

o Rest and protection following the injury
o Draining of the bursa by an Arm physician if necessary
o If necessary an Arm physician might administer Cortisone to limit inflammation and create a permanent solution to the injury
o Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed if necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Bursitis of the Elbow (Olecranon bursitis) will ensure your full recovery and hinder complications from occurring.

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury

The rupturing of the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) is normally caused by an impact to the outside of the knee. The impact pushes the knee inward stretching the MCL and leading to partial or full tears.

There are three different levels of MCL tears:
Grade 1 tears are normally partial and there is no joint instability.
Grade 2 is partial tear combined with joint movement, yet when force is applied the joint is instable.
Grade 3 tear is a complete tear of the MCL yet sometimes is not as painful as a grade 2. Joint laxity is massive and the athlete will feel as if they have an unstable knee.

Symptoms

o Knee is tender on the MCL
o Swelling near or around the ligament
o When stretching the knee there is definite joint movement with no definitive end point
o Feelings of lack of stability and knee buckling

Treatment

o Rest and ice
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Hinged knee brace when necessary
o Knee immobilizer when necessary and crutches

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for MCL injuries will ensure a full recovery.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome refers to pain occuring in the hand when the surrounding tendons, ligaments, and muscles compress the median nerve. The carpal tunnel, which is the passageway where the median nerve is located, is very narrow and the nerve can be irritated from multiple causes.

Symptoms

o Burning, tingling, and numbness in the palm of the hand and fingers
o Decreased grip strength
o Decreased sensitivity to hot and cold

Treatment

o Rest and ice
o Immobilization of the wrist
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Cortisone injections when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome will ensure your full recovery.

Posterior Cruciate ligament (PCL) Injury

An injury to the PCL is most commonly caused when the knee is bent and trauma is caused to it from the front. These injuries are graded similar to MCL and ACL injuries with the three separate levels. Most treatments for PCL injuries require rehabilitation.

Symptoms

o Pain during the time of impact
o Swelling in the area might occur
o Pain when PCL is placed under stress
o Joint instability, and feelings of knee buckling

Treatment

o Rest and Ice
o Crutches when necessary
o Possible physical therapy

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for PCL injuries will ensure a full recovery.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is caused by the inflammation, scarring and shrinking of the shoulder capsule. Any type of injury to the joint may lead to a frozen shoulder. Athletes with diabetes are more susceptible to being effected by this injury.

Symptoms

o Aching shoulder pain
o Limited movement of the joint
o Pain during sleep especially when sleeping on injured side

Treatment

o Anti-inflammatory medication
o Cortisone injections when necessary
o Exercise program and therapy

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a frozen shoulder will ensure your full recovery.

Ankle Sprain

When the foot is turned inward or inverted an athletes’ ankle can be sprained. This can be caused by running on non-leveled surfaces, or can be due to landing on non-flat surfaces during competition.

Symptoms

o Swelling in the ankle because of the gathering of fluid in the tissues
o Pain in the region of the ankle when standing
o Painful to touch ankle region or to move foot in certain directions
o Redness and warmth in ankle due to increased in blood in the region

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) method immediately
o Ultrasound and Laser treatment
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for ankle sprains will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Glenohumeral arthritis

Glenohumeral arthritis affects four basic aspects of the shoulder joint: amount of movement allowed, stability, the strength of the surrounding muscles, and the smoothness in the joint. Over time these different aspects begin to wear down and give way to glenohumeral arthritis.

Symptoms

o Pain with movement
o Pain at night interfering with sleep
o Atrophy of shoulder muscles
o Tenderness and swelling of the joint

Treatment

o Rest and Ice
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Steroid injection when necessary
o Viscosupplementation therapy when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for glenohumeral arthritis will ensure your full recovery.

Chondromalacia

Chondromalacia is the weakening of the cartilage under the patella caused normally by overuse or weak thigh and hip muscles. Runners are very prone to this condition due to the constant stress put on the knee joint from the shock absorption in a running motion. Although common in runners, any athlete involved in a sport with running or hard surfaces can suffer from Chrondromalacia.

Symptoms

o Discomfort and pain of the inner knee
o Sense of tightness or fulness of the knee area
o Loss of strength in quadriceps causing your leg to give out
o Mild swelling of the knee

Treatment

o Resting the knee
o Physical therapy
o Strengthening and flexibility exercises to maintain fitness

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Chondromalacia will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is one of the most common causes of lateral knee pain. ITBS develops among athletes who are either constantly running or who repeatedly flex or extend their knees. Long distance runners and cyclists are extremely prone to ITBS, but it is also found in other sports such as tennis, soccer and volleyball.

Stretching and strengthening the knee are common treatments for ITBS. Surgery for ITBS is very rare, although cortisone injections are sometimes used if all other types of treatments fail.

Symptoms

o Pain on the outside of knee especially during exercise
o Tightness in the Illiotibial band
o Weakness during hip abduction

Treatment

o Rest and Ice
o Ultrasound and electronic stimulation
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Illiotibial band syndrome will ensure a full recovery.

Hamstring Pull or Tear

Hamstring injuries are extremely painful and are rather common across all athletic activities. There are three separate levels, or grades of hamstring injuries.

Grade 1 injuries deal with mild tearing of the muscle tissues.
Grade 2 has moderate damage to the three muscle groups that make up the hamstring.
Grade 3 the most severe injury can deal with a total rupture of the hamstring muscle.

Symptoms

o Sudden sharp pain in the back of the leg
o Swelling and burning of hamstring muscle
o Grade 3 may leave a gap in the muscle group
o Pain with stretching or with resistance to movement

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) method
o Compression bandage
o Ultrasound and electrical stimulation
o Sports massage
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for hamstring pull or tear will ensure a full recovery.

Lumbosacral Spondylosis

Lumbosacral Spondylosis is a condition where the lumbar vertebrae become fused with the sacram in the spine. It is most commonly found in athletes over the age of 50. The pain is most noticeable when athletes bend their spine repeatedly or lift objects.

Symptoms

o Stiff back in the morning
o Low back pain

Treatment

o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Heat and electric stimulation

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Lumbosacral Spondylosis will ensure a full recovery.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc involves the bulging of a spinal disc due to compression or a rupture. The bulging disc pinches the spinal nerves causing pain. This irritation can be caused gradually or by instances of trauma or heavy impact, most prevalent in American football.

Symptoms

o Weaker feeling muscles
o Tingling and Numbness in limbs
o Shock pain, or electric shock

Treatment

o Rest and ice
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Oral steroids when necessary
o Epidural injections of steroids when necessary

Consulting an ARM physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a herniated disc will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis of the knee is the result of the wearing down of the cartilage and synovial membranes inside of the knee joint. In some cases bone spurs in the knee can form inside the joint causing pain. The cause of osteoarthritis can be from overuse, heredity, previous injuries to the knee joint, or weight.

Symptoms

o Aching pain deep in joint
o Inflammation of joint
o Stiffness in the joint
o Crunching or grinding sound

Treatment

o Rest and ice
o Braces
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains involve the stretching or tearing of tissues. A sprain involves ligaments, which attach bone to bone and a strain involves either muscles or tendons. Tendons are the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bone. Sprains or strains can occur in multiple parts of the body, but tend to be prevalent near the joints.

Symptoms

o Swelling and Bruising
o Pain in effected area
o Tenderness in or around effected area
o Numbness
o Not capable of weight bearing activities

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for strains and sprains will ensure a full recovery.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It usually starts with a mild pain. The inflammation originates from the Plantar Fascia tightening. It then begins to tear instead of flexing with the foot, causing irritation.

Plantar Fasciitis leads to complications with other body parts such as knee’s, hip, or back because it changes the athletes walking motion, placing stress on other joints. You may feel the pain after exercise, getting out of bed in the morning or after arising from any prolonged period of inactivity; allowing the Plantar Fascia to get tight and stiff.

Symptoms

o Sharp pain in heel or foot
o Worst pain occurs after awakening
o Also can occur after being seated or standing for prolonged periods of time

Treatment

o Rest
o Applying ice
o Keeping weight off your foot until the pain and inflammation subsides
o Avoiding running, jumping, or walking without any support or cushioning
o Use of Orthotics
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Getting physical therapy and exercise to stretch your Achilles tendon and Plantar Fascia
o Use of night splints, cortisone injections, and surgery in extreme cases

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Plantar Fasciitis will ensure a full recovery.

Neck Sprain (Whip Lash)

Neck Sprains result from heavy impact to the neck and can be very painful. They can involve either the ligaments in the cervical vertebrae or the muscle groups that are located in the neck.

Symptoms

o Pain in the rear or sides of neck
o Muscle spasms in the upper shoulders or back
o Headache originating from the back of the skull
o Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms and hands
o Sore throat

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
o Cervical brace or collar when needed
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a neck sprain will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are common throughout sports. They are normally due to overuse in overhead arm movement and can be quite painful. An aching pain can flare up when arms are used over the head or directly to the side of the body.

Symptoms

o Pain associated with arm movement especially overhead arm movement
o Pain in shoulder when slept on at night
o Tenderness over general area

Treatment

o Rest and ice are very important
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Continuous movement of the arm with rest periods to avoid reduction of mobility

Prolonged Rotator Cuff inflammation may result into a tear. There are two kinds of Rotator Cuff Tears: Chronic and Acute.

Symptoms of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear

o Occurs on dominant side
o Weakness throughout range of motion
o Eventual loss of mobility

Treatment of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear

o Ice
o Steroid injection when necessary
o Shoulder exercises prescribed by physician

Symptoms of Acute Tear

o Sudden tearing feeling in shoulder
o Radiating pain down arm
o Limited mobility
o Tenderness in specific area of the Rotator Cuff
o Abduction of arm not possible

Treatment of Acute Tear

o Ice to reduce swelling
o Medications when necessary
o Surgery and Resting of arm in sling if necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Rotator Cuff inflammation will ensure your full recovery and avoid progression of inflammation into a chronic tear.

Wrist sprain

Wrist sprain are common injuries, and normally are the result of falling and bracing the body for impact. When a wrist sprain occurs it stretches the ligaments of the wrist, causing pain and swelling.

Three different levels of wrist sprains can occur.
Grade 1 is a mild injury with minor stretching of the ligaments, but not tearing or fringing on the tissues.
Grade 2 involves partial tears or minor tears in the ligaments.
Grade 3 is a severe sprain normally resulting in complete tears of the ligaments in the wrist.

Symptoms

o Pain in wrist with movement
o Swelling in or around the joint
o Burning and warm sensation in the wrist

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) method
o Anti-inflammatory medications when necessary
o Bracing
o Immobilization

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for wrist sprains will ensure a full recovery and minimal complications.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome & Bursitis

Impingement Syndrome refers to the tendons over the shoulder becoming inflamed by rubbing in the narrow gap named the Subacromial Space. This irritation thickens these tendons, causing pain and complications.

Symptoms

o Pain located in the front and side of the shoulder during forceful overhead motions
o Pain at the back and front of the joint during abduction or ER (external rotation)

Treatment

o Rest and ice
o Slow return to sport
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Injection of steroids when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome will ensure your full recovery.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures, while not the most common, still affect many athletes across different sports. Common stress fractures are due to constant use of muscle groups, which leads to higher bone stress once these muscles are exhausted. Stress fractures can also be caused by changes on the surfaces of the playing field.

Symptoms

o Pain during distance running
o Tenderness near or around injury location
o Swelling near or around injury location

Treatment

o Rest for up to 8 weeks
o Continue exercise in aquatic environment

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a stress fracture will ensure a full recovery.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis Elbow is an overuse injury obtained from repetitive use of the forearm and arm muscles. The tendons begin to fray due to the impact of the ball and racket causing inflammation.

Symptoms

o Pain on outside of elbow
o Gripping and Lifting objects becomes difficult
o Sometimes radiating pain down arm

Treatment

o Resting the elbow joint
o R.I.C.E. method
o Wrapping the forearm right below the elbow joint will enhance recovery
o Anti-inflammatory medication may also be prescribed as necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Tennis Elbow will ensure your full recovery.

Ulnar Neuropathy

Ulnar neuropathy is the irritation of the ulna nerve, most common in cyclists. The entrapment of this nerve in cyclists is located in the wrist, due to high compression from the hands constantly being on the handlebars.

Symptoms

o Tingling and numbness in the pinky and ring fingers
o Weakening of grip
o Deterioration of muscle in advanced stages

Treatment

o Rest and ice
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Cortisone injections when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for ulnar neuropathy will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Wrist Tendinitis

Wrist Tendinitis, Also known as tenosynovitis, occurs when the tendons in the wrist are irritated or restricted due to the crossing over bone or other tendons. Wrist Tendinitis involves the sheath that encompasses the actual tendon. Pain can be felt in the wrist and surrounding areas where the tendon sheath is inflamed. The swollen tendon presses on the tendon sheath forcing it to become thicker and hindering the sliding of the tendons.

Symptoms

o Swelling
o Catching/snapping sensation with movement
o Numbness in fingers

Treatment

o Rest and ice
o Splinting when necessary
o Ultrasound
o Cortisone injections when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for wrist tendinitis will ensure a full recovery and minimal complications.