Biomechanics of the elbow joint in tennis players and relation to pathology

Br J Sports Med. 2007 Nov;41(11):820-3. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2007.038307. Epub 2007 Jul 17.

Abstract

Elbow injuries constitute a sizeable percentage of tennis injuries. A basic understanding of biomechanics of tennis and analysis of the forces, loads and motions of the elbow during tennis will improve the understanding of the pathophysiology of these injuries. All different strokes in tennis have a different repetitive biomechanical nature that can result in tennis-related injuries. In this article, a biomechanically-based evaluation of tennis strokes is presented. This overview includes all tennis-related pathologies of the elbow joint, whereby the possible relation of biomechanics to pathology is analysed, followed by treatment recommendations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Injuries / pathology*
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Elbow Injuries*
  • Elbow Joint / pathology
  • Humans
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans / pathology
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans / therapy
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / pathology
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / therapy
  • Tendinopathy / pathology
  • Tendinopathy / therapy
  • Tennis / injuries*
  • Tennis Elbow / pathology
  • Tennis Elbow / therapy
  • Ulnar Neuropathies / pathology
  • Ulnar Neuropathies / therapy