As children and teenagers go through periods of rapid growth, their bodies can experience certain conditions unique to this stage of development. Osgood-Schlatter’s and Sever’s disease are two such ailments that can affect young people during their growth spurt. In this blog post, we will explore these conditions, their impact on growing kids and teens, and the crucial role physiotherapists play in diagnosing and treating these conditions.
Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease:
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is an overuse injury that typically affects kids during their growth spurts. It primarily affects the area just below the kneecap, where the patellar tendon attaches to the bony prominence on the shinbone. The condition is often characterised by pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected knee.
During growth spurts, the bones, muscles, and tendons grow at different rates. This can lead to increased tension on the patellar tendon, causing inflammation and pain at the site it attaches against. Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is more common in active kids who participate in activities such as running, jumping, and sports involving frequent knee bending movements.
Sever’s Disease:
Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is also a common condition among active children and adolescents. It primarily affects the growth plate at the back of the heel bone. The repetitive stress placed on the growth plate can cause inflammation, leading to heel pain.
As with Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, growth spurts can contribute to Sever’s disease. The bones in the feet often grow faster than the Achilles tendon, leading to increased tension and stress on the growth plate. This condition is frequently seen in young athletes engaged in activities such as running, jumping, and sports involving running and pivoting motions.
Physiotherapist’s Role in Diagnosis and Treatment:
When children and teenagers experience pain related to these conditions, seeing a physiotherapist is helpful to gain a proper diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan.
During the initial assessment, our physiotherapists will conduct a thorough examination of the affected area, taking into account medical history, as well as your current and previous physical activity level.
Once diagnosed, the physiotherapist will design a tailored treatment plan to address the specific needs of the individual. The treatment may include a combination of the following:
- Rest and activity modification: Physiotherapists may advise limiting activities that exacerbate the pain to allow the affected area to heal properly.
- Ice therapy: Applying ice packs to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
- Strengthening exercises: we will prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve stability around the affected joint.
- Stretching: Gentle stretching exercises can help improve flexibility and reduce tension in the affected area.
- Manual therapy: Hands on techniques such as soft tissue massage and joint mobilisation can aid in pain relief and muscle relaxation.
- Orthotics: In some cases, physiotherapists may refer to our podiatry team and recommend shoe inserts or orthotic devices to provide better support and alleviate pressure on the affected area.
- Education: providing valuable guidance on proper body mechanics, warm up routines, and gradual return to sport protocols to prevent future occurrences.
Although these conditions may cause discomfort and temporary limitations, they are generally self limiting and improve with time. However, involving a physiotherapist in the diagnosis and treatment process can significantly help manage the pain and promote a smooth, faster recovery.
Our physiotherapy and our podiatry team are experts in providing guidance, designing personalised treatment plans, and empowering young individuals to continue their physical activities safely while ensuring proper healing and growth.
