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Growing Pains Got You Worried? Here’s The Deal with Osgood-Schlatter’s

If your sporty child is suddenly complaining of knee pain and hobbling off the field- you might be meeting a very common visitor in the world of growing children: Osgood-Schlatter.

What is Osgood-Schlatter?



It’s a mouthful, but no need to worry- it’s not dangerous or permanent. Osgood-Schlatter is a fancy name for growing pains that affect active children, usually between the ages of 9-15 years. It especially affects children doing sports that involves running, jumping, kicking, or sprinting. It causes pain just below the kneecap where the shinbone is still developing.

Think of it like this: Your child’s muscles are getting stronger and bigger, their bones are getting longer, and sometimes the tendon that attaches to the shinbone gets a bit cranky from all the pulling and tugging.

Common Symptoms:

A painful, sometimes swollen bump just below the kneecap on the top of the shinbone.

Limping after sports practice.

Pain that flares up with running, jumping, squatting-or even climbing stairs.

One or both knees might be affected.

What can be done at home?

First things first: don’t panic. It’s a common condition in children and usually goes away once the growth spurt settles.

Here’s how you can help your child stay active without making things worse:

  • Ice the area after doing sports or activities (15 minutes does the trick).
  • Let them rest or adjust/reduce their training if pain flares up- sometimes less is more.
  • Gentle stretching of the quadriceps and hamstrings can work wonders. A heat pad on the thigh muscles before stretching can also help.
  • Protect the sore sensitive area- no kneeling or any direct pressure on the knee.

When to see a Physio:

If the pain keeps returning and increasing, or if it is interfering with your child’s sport, it is a good idea to visit a physiotherapist.

A physio can:

  • Teach your child stretches and exercises tailored to their body.
  • Guide them on how to keep moving safely, identify any areas of muscle weakness and compile a strengthening program to address any imbalances.
  • Help with strapping, load management, and modifying sport schedules.
 

Osgood-Schlatter may sound very intimidating, but it’s usually just a bump in the road of growing up strong. With the right mix of rest and movement, your child can keep doing what they love.

Need help figuring it all out? Feel free to book a session at Free Motion Physiotherapy so that we can get them back in the game-minus the limp.

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