At the stage of growth many children they are studying with pains caused by this process, which makes it difficult for them to perform physical activity and even move well in their daily lives.
This is because during the growth of bones, muscles and tendons, sometimes, develop too quickly, causing excessive tension and loads on the epiphyseal plates or growth cartilages (areas of greatest weakness), and not being able to adapt to demands.
The ages Those who suffer most from this type of injury are among those 9 and 14 years old, both in children as in girls, and the risk of suffering from them increases with sports practice (running, jumping, over-exertion, repeated gestures...).
Generally the pain It is the main symptom and can range from mild to very severe. In order to prevent it, compensations can be observed, such as changes in the gait pattern, limited mobility or limping.
The pathologies The most common are:
OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE
Inflammation of the front and upper region of the tibia, just below the knee (tibial tuberosity), which occurs with painIt can occur in one or both legs, it is sensitive to palpation and in some cases the swelling is quite visible, and a fragment of the tibia may come loose due to excessive traction of the patellar tendon.
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease
Inflammation located in the lower pole of the patella. While the previous pathology is associated with the insertion of the patellar tendon, this pathology occurs at the origin of the same tendon.
Sever's disease
Inflammation of the back of the heel (calcaneus bone), where the Achilles tendon inserts. This injury can occur due to excessive tension of the tendon. Achilles tendon and/or the plantar fasciaIt can also be caused by direct trauma to the heel.
DIAGNOSIS
The main diagnostic tool for any of these pathologies is the radiography. If this is not sufficient, you may opt for carrying out a ultrasound or from one magnetic resonance imaging.
CAUSES AND TREATMENT
Some of the possible causes that could generate this type of pathologies are:
- Poor alignment of the lower extremities.
- The difference in length of the lower limbs.
- The muscle imbalances.
- He improper training (poor execution of exercises) or overtraining.
- The lack of stretching.
- A bad warm-up.
As a treatment for this type of pathology, the recommendation will depend on the degree of the injury, reducing the sports activity even to the point of stopping it.
We will accompany this first phase of physiotherapy treatment, based on manual therapy and aimed at reducing the tension of the muscles involved, thus reducing the load on the tendon. At the same time we will perform passive mobilizations of the patella and calcaneus, active mobilizations of the pelvis, isometric contractions that activate pain inhibitory mechanisms and stretching of lower limbs.
In a second phase we will work on the proprioception and potentiation of lower limbs (foot included) and CORE and we will progressively increase the load until we achieve the recovery complete patient information.
In Evolution Madrid We have professionals with knowledge and experience in children. In addition to a correct assessment and treatment will help the youngest to work appropriately for prevent the appearance of any pain and give quality to their development, both physical and cognitive.
