It’s that time of year on the Island again. Daniel Island is teaming up with tennis fans for the Credit One Charleston Open (COCO). And we’re here at Charleston Sports Medicine. After decades of being located at the center of things at Island Park Drive, we have watched the tournament evolve in location, name, and sponsorship. It was the first women’s tennis tournament to be broadcast on network television and has surpassed milestones for its notable prize money. From March 29 through April 6 this year, the Credit One Charleston Open promises another round of world-class talent and athleticism for 90,000 fans to watch play out “where the court meets the coast.”
We feel inspired to talk about nonsurgical orthopedic treatments that keep the everyday athletes and the professional athletes moving forward. Tennis is known for its physically demanding repetitive movements, powerful strokes, and short bursts of high-intensity, coupled with the lengthy stamina required during a good rally. Clay requires even more endurance. The slower velocity on clay lends itself to longer rallies – thus increased time in play – as the game adds a strategic component to a sport already touted for speed and agility.
Players who make it into the Charleston Open must be in excellent physical condition. Injuries still happen. Tennis elbow, golfers’ elbow, carpal tunnel, shoulder injuries, ACL/MCL injuries, plantar fasciitis, ligament sprains, and muscle/tendon strains are all common.
Bright McConnell III, MD, a board-certified orthopedic and sports medicine physician who founded Daniel Island’s centerpiece orthopedic practice specializes in nonsurgical prevention, regenerative, and next-level rehabilitation so patients of all athletic abilities can continue doing what they do best. At Charleston Sports Medicine, Dr. Bright McConnell, Dr. Eric Friedman, and Sue Harter, PT, use non-operative methods to get players back on the court. Innovative advanced healing and regenerative treatments such as Image-guided injections like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), viscosupplementation, joint and soft tissue corticosteroids and stem cell treatments can improve joint pain and enhance the performance of joints. Charleston Sports Medicine is also one of the first in our region to use M7 MLS laser therapy, a form of regenerative medicine that speeds recovery for chronic orthopedic problems and injuries.
Top tips for staying on the courts:
1. Correct form: Improper form can lead to overuse of muscles and joints quickly. Areas in the upper body – the elbows, wrists, shoulders, and lower back are particularly affected by powerful strokes and serves. In addition to improving your game, the enhanced form helps preserve how your joints and muscles work together.
2. Proper Equipment: In tennis, they say your racket is an extension of your arm. It’s also an extension of your health. Proper grip size can affect how your wrist and arm perform together as they hit the ball at top speed. A smaller grip size causes more strain on the bones and muscles of these areas as you swing, and over time, causes pain and inflammation.
3. Warming Up / Cooling Down: Tennis’s short, sudden movements can be taxing, especially on the muscles. Stretching before and after play, actively warming up before intense play, and cooling down afterward enhance proper blood flow within your muscles, which helps prevent acute injuries.
4. Address Pain and Inflammation: In addition to basic “RICE” (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and medication to help with pain and inflammation, a physical therapist, like Charleston Sports Medicine Physical Therapy, can help design a strengthening and stretching program to enhance muscle capabilities, improve flexibility, and reduce stiffness.
5. Nonsurgical treatments: Regenerative medicine and advanced therapies help patients heal injuries quickly and get back to what they love doing without surgery.
To get (and stay) in your best shape, seek advice and treatment from specialists. At Charleston Sports Medicine, we can work with you to prevent, treat and rehabilitate so you can get back on the court. Call us at 843-284-5220 or visit Charleston Sports Medicine to schedule an appointment.
