As an MSK physiotherapist, I treat a wide range of problems, injuries and pains. I treat all ages, but I’ve developed a specialised knowledge area in injuries and problems in sporting adolescents.
In 2014 I started working with the local Academy of Gymnastics, to support their junior and senior GB gymnasts, and in particular, be part of the medical team taking gymnasts to the Rio 2016 Olympics. Since then I still work closely with The Academy in supporting their gymnasts and liaise with coaches with parents’ consent to ensure a smooth return to gymnastics during their rehab journey. I have also worked with other Team GB gymnasts in acrobatic gymnasts and many other elite teenage athletes across different sports in the South West.
‘Aliens!’
Treating teenagers is a specialist area not just because they are elite athletes. Teenagers are not simply mini-adults, and as I was once taught on a course, they are like ‘aliens’ …in so many ways! They are not a child and though they are still growing and their skeleton has not fully formed, their body is changing and very different to before adolescence. It’s so important to understand these differences and be aware that they will have different responses to loads through their body, and different relative areas of weakness compared to an adult. This allows correct diagnosis and understanding of their problems correct management and treatment.
Children have 2 major growth spurts, one usually between ages 6-9, and a second one at age 10-14. (These age ranges are a guide only). Injuries and pains often occur during these periods of growth. Some of these have medical names that can often seem quite scary. But with the right information, they can be managed well.
Osgood Schlatter presents with pain below the knee on the top of the shin bone. The quadriceps thigh muscle attaches via the patella tendon to this point. This causes an area of inflammation, commonly with some local swelling and pain to touch. Management involves lots of advice on managing the pain, home exercises to improve muscle strength, stability and flexibility, advice on how best to offload and rest when needed, and monitoring.
Another example is that a teenager is unlikely to have Achilles tendonitis when experiencing heel pain. Their tendons are of good quality and very robust, and rarely will the tendon be the point of weakness. It is more likely to be a condition called Sever’s, where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone. This bone isn’t fully formed and still growing, causing inflammation where it attaches. This is something that can be managed with the correct advice.
Getting it right
It is important to get the right assessment and the right advice for these athletes to allow proper recovery and avoid risks of further injury, and ensure anything concerning is investigated promptly.
Often they do not require lots of treatment, as a large part of managing the various symptoms is teaching and educating them on how to manage things themselves. This can be through advice, on how to appropriately offload an injured area while still training the rest of their body, and keeping them doing their sport where possible. As they grow and have ‘growth spurts’ it is also important that they keep their body strong and flexible, to cope with their changing body, controlling longer levers with legs and arms and their increase in height. It is common during and after a growth spurt their muscles haven’t adapted and strengthened accordingly, and a small amount of input with a prescribed exercise programme can make a huge difference.
If you think I can help with your patients and athletes please feel free to get in touch, and connect.
