Is your child suffering from heel or knee pain?
As children grow, their bodies constantly undergo changes, including the development of the musculoskeletal system. However, sometimes this growth process can lead to various disorders that affect the bones, joints, and muscles, leading to problems like heel pain or pain below the knee cap, often without any one specific incident! In this blog post, we’ll talk about these common problems and what we can do to help kids feel and perform their best.
Sever’s disease:
Sever’s disease is a common cause of heel pain in growing children. It occurs when the growth plate at the back of the heel, where the Achilles tendon attaches, becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress. The disease typically affects children between the ages of 8 and 14, who are active in sports that involve running and jumping. Rapid growth during adolescence can lead to increased tension in the calf muscles and Achilles tendon, contributing to the development of Sever’s disease.
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease:
Ever heard of Osgood-Schlatter’s disease? It’s when kids feel pain and swelling right below their kneecaps. It occurs when the patellar tendon, which attaches the kneecap to the shinbone, pulls on the growth plate during activities that involve running, jumping, or kneeling. Osgood-Schlatter’s typically affects adolescents during periods of rapid growth, between the ages of 10 and 15, especially those engaged in sports like soccer, basketball, and gymnastics.
These conditions both present as forms of tendinopathies, hence, limiting or modifying activities that aggravate the symptoms is crucial for managing Osgood-Schlatter’s and Sever’s. After an initial deloading period, our physiotherapists will work to gradually reintroduce load to the tendon, building up a tolerance to return to normal activities. This will also include strengthening the surrounding muscles to help better support the joint. If these problems are left untreated, they may lead to muscle weaknesses and imbalances that may cause more pain as they continue growing and playing sports.
Growing pains like heel pain and knee pain can make it hard for kids to play and be active. But with some activity modifications, exercises, and help from your favourite physiotherapist or chiropractor, most kids can feel better and get back to doing what they love.
If your child is having these kinds of pains, get in touch with us today and get started on your rehab journey.
Written by Jasmyn Windsor (Physiotherapist)