If you have an active kid you will know that they hate to miss out on the sport they love. Unfortunately active sporty kids, particularly those playing field sports like soccer, AFL, NRL and hockey are especially prone to certain injuries. This is why all of our podiatrists are trained in kid’s sports podiatry and are ready to help assess and treat pain and injury in sporty kids.
Which sports cause injury and pain in kids?
Simply put, any sport can cause injury and pain in kids, and both boys and girls are affected at similar rates when they are active. However, there are certain sports which can make your child more prone to specific age-related pains. We all have heard the term, “growing pains” which generally refers to the pain kids can get when going through growth spurts. While any child can be affected, research has shown that active kids are more prone to experience growing pains in their feet, legs and knees.
Growing pains occur when the bones of their lower limbs grow faster than their muscles, resulting in a pull and stretch on the muscles. Pain is commonly located either in the muscle belly (e.g. back of the calves) or at the muscle attachment points (e.g. the achilles tendon). Children are more likely to experience pain if there is a family history of growing pains. Similarly, sports which involve lots of rapid muscle contraction and extension involving the calf and quadricep muscles (e.g. bursts of running and kicking in soccer) will accelerate the stretch and strain on already undergrown muscles and tendons, leading to increased pain needing kids sports podiatry.
Sports increasing injury rate include:
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Hockey
- AFL
- NRL
- Running (particularly fast-pace)
What are the conditions needing kids sports podiatry?
Growing pains do not occur in the joints themselves. There are some growing pains which are a bit different and associated with fusion of children’s bony growth plates. These are named depending on the growth plate involved. The three most common occurring in the lower limbs are called “Osgood-Schlatters”, “Sinding-Larsen Johansson” and “Sever’s” disease. All of these conditions are extremely common reasons we have kids present to us for help. Luckily these conditions are self-limiting (aged out of) and highly treatable with a podiatrists’ help.
Sever’s Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
Between the ages of about 8yo to 14yo there is a specific kind of growing pain causing foot pain in children. It occurs in the heel bone and is commonly referred to as “Sever’s Disease” (the proper medical name is ‘calcaneal apophysitis’).
Sever’s disease occurs when the growth plate on the back of the heel bone has excess movement from the rest of the heel bone (calcaneus) and becomes inflamed. This commonly occurs when the calf muscles grow tight due to a growth spurt in the legs. The problem is compounded by high activity, certain sports (very commonly, soccer), and sometimes foot posture (e.g. flat feet).
A child with Sever’s Disease will often complain of heel pain in one or both feet, particularly after playing sport. Your child may even display a limp and be very protective of their foot doing anything involving the achilles tendon (e.g. not wanting to jump, hop, walk up or down stairs). Sometimes children may ‘tip-toe walk’ which may be confused with Sever’s Disease, but usually there will be no associated heel pain in this case.
If you suspect your child may have Sever’s Disease, it’s important to see a podiatrist for an assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan.
Osgood-Schlatter’s and Sinding-Larsen Johansson
Osgood Schlatter’s disease occurs where the patella (kneecap) tendon attaches to the tibia (shin bone). This attachment point is close to the tibia growth plate, making it a weak point in a child’s growing legs. As a result, sometimes a child will experience a very painful point on the front of the leg a few centimetres below their kneecap. Often there will be a prominent lump in the area due to the inflammation involved.
Osgood-Schlatter’s can occur on one or both legs. It is most common in active kids who play a lot of running and jumping sports. Like most growth-related conditions, it will self-resolve in months to years when the growth plate has fused. There are, however methods of symptom relief and biomechanical adjustment which a podiatrist can provide to make your child more comfortable as they grow.
A very similar condition to Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, Sinding-Larsen Johansson disease refers to an inflammation of the growth plate of the patella (kneecap). Pain occurs on the origin of the patella tendon which is right at the bottom of the kneecap. As with Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, while the condition will self resolve, a podiatrist may be able to help your child be more comfortable in the short-term.
Hypermobility needing kids' sports podiatry
Hypermobility refers to joints which are able to extend beyond agreed upon normal ranges. This is more common in children than adults and usually runs in families. Hypermobility can be general (whole body) or present mostly in the upper or lower limbs.
Hypermobility poses a problem for children as the ligaments designed to keep joints in place are more lax than they should be. As children grow, and as they are active, this stability is especially important. When joints are less stable than they should be, sprains, dislocations and muscle strains are far more common. If your child seems to have frequent injuries when playing sports, it’s probably a good idea to take them to a podiatrist.
In podiatry, we often see children with hypermobility complaining of sore ankles, knees and hips. They may have a history of frequent ankle sprains or unsteady, uncoordinated gait. If this sounds like your child, you should bring them to a podiatrist for an assessment. A podiatrist can provide footwear advice, supportive strapping and custom orthotics to provide stability to the loose joints and reduce the occurrence of lower-limb injuries and pain.
How does a podiatrist help with kids' sports podiatry?
While many problems which happen playing kids sports are related to growth stages and can be classified as ‘growing pains’ it does not mean your child has to suffer or give up sport. Often a podiatrist will be able to identify a biomechanical contribution to the problem (e.g. flat feet or a tight muscle group) which can be addressed to greatly improve your child’s symptoms.
When you bring your child in for a kids sports podiatry appointment you can expect:
- Assessment of the problem occurring and a diagnosis
- Effective treatment (e.g. custom foot orthotics, stretching and strengthening program)
- Footwear advice for school and sports shoes
- Padding and footwear modifications
- Foot, ankle or knee strapping
- Pain management advice
- A long-term treatment and return to sport plan
How to see a podiatrist for your active child
Our podiatrists are ready to help with any problems with kids pain or injury. We offer kid’s sports podiatry appointments at all of our five clinics around Brisbane and our Mount Isa clinic. To book an appointment for your child, simply call our friendly team on 1300 76 33 66 or book online!