Most childhood sporting injuries that do not involve any trauma, commonly occur as a result of the child exceeding the capacity of their bones, tendons or muscles.
Childhood is a time of growth and physical activity, often involving various sports, while beneficial for children’s physical, social and mental development, can also lead to certain injuries. Two common overuse injuries in active children that we commonly see in clinic are Sever’s disease and Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Sever’s Disease
Sever’s disease is a common cause of heel pain in growing kids. Sever’s disease occurs when the growth plate in the heel becomes irritated. The growth plate is an area of developing cartilaginous tissue found near the ends of long bones. During a growth spurt, the bones, muscles and tendons grow at different rates. This can put increased pressure on the growth plate, especially if the child is very active in sports that involve running, jumping or as a result of a recent growth spurt.
Symptoms
- Pain and tenderness in the heel
- Swelling and redness in the heel area
- Difficulty walking, running, or participating in sports
- Stiffness in the foot, especially after periods of rest
Treatment
- Modify: Reducing or temporarily stopping activities that cause pain.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Focused on the calf muscles, Achilles tendon and supportive muscles of the hip.
- Supportive Footwear: Wearing shoes with good cushioning and arch support, or the use of an orthotic insole.
- Adequate rest and nutrition
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is another common overuse injury that affects the knee, particularly in adolescents during their growth spurts. Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by repetitive stress or tension on the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). This stress causes inflammation at the point where the tendon attaches to the growth plate at the top of the shinbone.
Symptoms
- Pain and swelling below the kneecap
- A visible bump on the shinbone
- Increased pain with activity, especially running, jumping and climbing stairs
- Tenderness when pressing on the shinbone just below the knee
Treatment
- Modify: Reducing or temporarily stopping activities that cause pain.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Focused on the patella tendon, quadriceps muscle group and supportive muscles of the hip.
- Supportive Taping: Can be beneficial to decrease the load on the tendon.
Prevention
- Continuation of home exercise program provided to prevent any further flare ups
- Monitoring training load and volume
- Adequate rest and nutrition
Conclusion
Sever’s disease and Osgood-Schlatter disease are common childhood injuries related to growth spurts and physical activity. Although they can cause significant discomfort, they are generally manageable with an appropriate diagnosis, management and preventative exercises.
Prevention
Adolescents need time for their body to adapt to what they do. Especially at the start of a new season or activity. Ensure you build up your child’s sport or activity gradually. Time off, illness, poor recovery techniques (nutrition and sleep) can hinder their recovery.
Osgood – Schlatter and Sever’s disease are common adolescent sporting injuries that can be managed with activity modification and stretching. If you require any assistance, or have any questions please contact us on (02) 8018 8883 or email at info.aretchiropractic@gmail.com