Joint Pain
Did you know that 'Children are not mini adults?'
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There is a common perception that paediatric & adolescent injuries can be treated in the same way as adults. However, children and adolescents are still growing, which means injuries, rehabilitation, and loading must be managed differently. Paediatric sports physiotherapy takes into account growth plates, development stages, motivation in adolescents, and the psychological impact of injury.
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Andy Cracknell, Physiotherapist, is on the 'Kids Back 2 Sport' register for certified practitioners having completed further training & assessment in the management of paediatric sporting injuries.
Here are 2 common examples of knee & ankle pain we see & treat in relation to child & adolescent injury/pain.
Osgood Schlatter's
What is Osgood Schlatter's
It is not yet known exactly what causes Osgood Schlatter's Disease. However, what we do know is, despite the name, it is definitely not a disease! We should therefore really call this type of injury tibial (shin bone) apophysitis or inflammation in the growth plate. During rapid growth spurts, tension increases in the muscle on the front of the thigh (the quadriceps) at the point where it attaches to the shin bone just below the knee cap.
What are the symptoms?
1.Pain on running, jumping, squatting, hopping, change of direction
2.Typically eases with rest
3.Swelling at the top of the shin bone
4.Tenderness on pressure such as kneeling
5. Tight hamstring muscles
How can Physiotherapy help?
- Confirming the diagnosis
- Help to manage & calm the acute pain down
- Discussing activity modification & longer-term rehab exercises
Sever's Disease
What is Sever's Disease
It is not yet known exactly what causes Sever's Disease, although, again, it is not a disease! However, in sporty children, during rapid growth spurts, tension increases in the muscles in the calf at the point where they attach to the heel bone. A sudden spike in repetitive activities such as running and jumping activities can cause a traction type injury where the tendon attaches to the growth plate. The local bone and soft tissues can become inflamed and sore especially when these become compressed during certain foot and ankle movements.
What are the symptoms?
1.Pain in the heel on running, jumping, hopping
2.Typically eases with rest
3. Worse with activity
4.Tenderness on pressure of the heel bone
How can Physiotherapy help?
- Confirming the diagnosis
- Help to manage & calm the acute pain down
- Discussing activity modification & longer-term rehab exercises