A tennis player with hand claudication

The case of a professional tennis player presenting exercise-induced hand p ain with late appearance of digital blanching is reported. A bilateral hypo thenar hammer syndrome and stenosis of the common palmar digital arteries c lose to the head of the metacarpals where the racket handle exerts its maxi mal force was observed with arteriography. As the patient decided to stop t ennis practice, the condition improved without any medication. Six months a fter stopping tennis he was symptom free. Three conclusions can be drawn fr om this case report: 1) arteries of both hands can be injured by intense te nnis practice, 2) pain in the dominant hand during tennis practice can be d ue to arterial insufficiency even in the absence of digital blanching which is a sign of severity; 3) hypothenar hammer syndrome is the main cause but stenosis of the common palmar digital arteries can possibly contribute to the ischemic phenomenon. Ear ly recognition is important to avoid ineffecti ve treatment and permanent symptoms. Therefore, we recommend an arterial ex amination in tennis players suffering from exercise-induced hand pain even in the absence of digital blanching which can be only a late manifestation.