Tennis and Squash Shoulder Injuries in Active Older Players: Don’t Let Your Shoulder “Merajuk”!

Tips by Dr. Sanjiv Rampal, Orthopaedic Consultant KL


Still feeling “steady” on the court? Whether you are an Uncle or Auntie playing tennis or a weekend warrior in the squash court, your shoulder is doing a lot of hard work!

But let’s be real—as we get older, our joints and “urat” (tendons) aren’t as bouncy as they used to be. To keep playing until you’re 80, you need to know how to jaga your shoulder.



Top 3 Shoulder Problems (The Usual Suspects)

Rotator Cuff Wear & Tear (Sakit Otot Bahu)

The Problem: After years of “smash” and “serve,” the tendons in your shoulder can start to fray like an old rope. For the active older crowd, this makes the shoulder feel weak or painful when lifting your arm.

Shoulder Impingement (Bahu Tersepit)

The Problem: This is when the bone “pinches” the tendon every time you reach up. If you feel a sharp “zapp!” when serving, this might be why.

“Wear & Tear” Arthritis (Joint Haus)

The Problem: Just like car tyres, the “bunga” (cartilage) in our joints can wear out. It makes the shoulder feel stiff and “lenguh” after a long match.

✅ How to Prevent? Don’t Just “Tahan” the Pain!

Follow these simple steps so you can keep winning your matches:



Warm-up is Must!: Don’t just start smashing straight away. Use a rubber band (resistance band) to wake up your shoulder muscles. Make sure the body is “panas” first.

Don’t Over-Force: If your serve feels “salah,” don’t force it. Sometimes a smaller swing is safer and better for your joints. Ask a coach to check your form!

Build a Strong Base: Do simple exercises to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder blades. If the base is strong, the arm won’t “goyang.”

Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late: If you cannot sleep at night because of shoulder pain, don’t just put “minyak angin” and ignore it. Come and see a professional before a small tear becomes a big one!

Play Hard, Stay Safe!

Keep moving, keep sweating, and let’s keep those shoulders healthy!

📍 Consultation & Recovery

Dr. Sanjiv Rampal

Orthopaedic Consultant, Kuala Lumpur

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