Tennis Injuries: A Podiatrist's Guide to Common Foot and Ankle Issues

As one of the most popular sports worldwide, tennis attracts millions of players of all ages and skill levels. While tennis offers numerous health benefits, it also comes with its fair share of risks, particularly for the feet and ankles. Podiatrists who specialise in foot and ankle health, frequently encounter tennis-related injuries in their practice. In this blog post, we will explore the most common foot and ankle injuries seen by podiatrists in tennis players, along with effective treatments such as sports massage, taping and strapping, biomechanical assessment, and MSK laser therapy.

Plantar Fasciitis:

Plantar fasciitis is a prevalent condition that causes pain and inflammation in the heel and arch of the foot. Tennis players often develop this injury due to the repetitive stress placed on the plantar fascia—a thick band of tissue connecting the heel to the toes. Podiatrists commonly treat plantar fasciitis using a combination of treatments, including sports massage to reduce muscle tightness and promote blood flow, taping and strapping to provide support and stability, and biomechanical assessment to identify and address any underlying gait abnormalities or imbalances and finally MSK laser and 3D printed insoles.

Ankle Sprains:

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in tennis, typically occurring when the foot twists or rolls forcefully. The sudden changes in direction and lateral movements involved in tennis make players particularly susceptible to spraining their ankles. Podiatrists employ various treatment techniques for ankle sprains, taping and strapping to provide stability and prevent further injury, and biomechanical assessment to evaluate any potential mechanical issues contributing to the sprain.

Achilles Tendinitis:

Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury characterised by inflammation of the Achilles tendon—a large tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. Tennis players often experience this condition due to the repetitive nature of the sport, particularly during powerful serves and quick lateral movements.

Stress Fractures:

Stress fractures are small cracks or breaks in the bones caused by repetitive stress and overuse. Tennis players are prone to stress fractures in the metatarsal bones of the foot due to the constant pounding and rapid changes in direction during gameplay.

Sever's Disease:

Sever's disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, primarily affects young tennis players and is characterised by pain and inflammation in the heel. It occurs when the growth plate in the heel bone becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress and overuse.

If you are suffering from a tennis related injury call our clinic on 0115 9328832 to book a biomechanical assessment today.