Before the growth plates in a growing skeleton are closed a child may develop a condition called apophysitis. This is an overuse injury where the growth plate becomes inflamed and painful due to high loading. This can occur at any growth plate in the body, upper and lower limb, but is most common at:
Achilles (Severs disease)
Patella tendon at the shin (Osgood-Schlatter disease)
Patella tendon on the patella (Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease)
Tendons on the inside of the elbow (Little League Elbow)
As the skeleton of a female matures earlier than the male, males experience growth plate injuries 1-2 years later than females.
Is your child complaining of re-occuring pain after playing sport?
Book in and get them checked out so their sport's participating isn't affected!
