Keeping arthritis in check while playing tennis

There's not a joint in your body that racket sports don't test. For that reason, people with arthritis who stay with the game need to have a rigorous program to keep their joints healthy and supple.

• Tennis is a game you just never want to give up. But it is a tough sport on your body (The proof: How many top pros are competitive after the age of 35? Compare that to golf or baseball!)
• Tennis has all sorts of intense physical demands: pivoting, starting and stopping, moving quickly in all directions, swinging from all angles.

Warm up before you start. Be sure to get your blood flowing and your joints and muscles loosened before starting a game. If not, you greatly increase your chances of joint pain and even injury.

Cushion the impact. It's essential to invest in a good pair of tennis shoes with superior padding to absorb the impact of body weight. Replace your shoes as soon as the heels begin to show wear, because they will no longer be giving you the support you need.

Feet of clay. Clay or Har-Tru courts are much kinder to your joints than hard courts. If you have the choice, always pick clay courts, where the surface absorbs the impact of your steps and you can slide into a shot without twisting your ankle.

Double up. Playing doubles is much easier on your knees and ankles because you only have to cover half the court. It also gives you a chance to finally perfect your net game.

The right racket. Modern materials have revolutionized racket design. Many pro shops will let you test new rackets before you buy and will help you find one that is easier on an arthritic wrist or hand or reverberates less on a stiff elbow.