Childhood Conditions

There are a wide range of disorders and conditions that affect the muscles, joint and bones in children. These conditions may be heredity or caused by injury or inflammation, and are particularly common in those children living highly active lifestyles. A list of the common childhood musculoskeletal conditions that we can treat at Mike Varney Physiotherapy can be seen below. All of the conditions are treated with massage, ultrasound therapy, interferential therapy, kinesio taping and exercises at home.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s Disease is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel causing pain in growing children. The condition is particularly common in active children and is caused by repetitive stress to the heel. It usually resolves once the bone has completed growth or activity is lessened. Generally there will be no swelling or redness over the Achilles and heel so diagnosing Sever’s Disease can be difficult. The main clinical diagnostic tool is a squeeze test which can be performed by a qualified physiotherapist. Symptoms of Sever’s Disease include:

• Pain in the heel
• Pain aggravated by physical activity such as walking, jumping or running
• Limping.
• Interference with physical performance sports

Osgood-Schlatters Disease

Osgood-Schlatters Disease is a common condition that causes knee pain in older children and teenagers, especially those who are active in sport. Activities that include a lot of jumping and bending tend to aggravate the disease. The pull of the quadriceps in the thigh can place extraordinary tension on the patella tendon, which binds to the shin bone. This tension causes traction on the tendon under the knee cap, pulling it away from the shin and resulting in swelling and pain. Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease include:

• Pain, tenderness and swelling at the top of the shin bone, just below the kneecap
• Redness and warmth below the kneecap
• A painful, bony bump at the top of the shin bone, just below the kneecap

Scoliosi

Scoliosis is a term describing a curve in the spine that bends from side to side. On an x-ray the spine looks more like an ‘S’ or a ‘C’ than a straight line. Scoliosis develops in the middle or late childhood, before puberty, and is seen more often in girls than boys. Parent’s should watch for the signs that a scoliosis is beginning, generally when their child is about 8 years of age, however treatment will not be needed in cases less than a 50° curve. Symptoms include:

• Uneven shoulders
• Prominent shoulder blade or shoulder blades
• Uneven waist
• IElevated hips.
• Leaning to one side

Sinding Larsen and Johansson Syndrome

Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome is an inflammation of the bone at the bottom of the kneecap, where the tendon from the shin bone attaches. It is a common condition linked closely to adolescent growth spurts causing localised pain and swelling at the front of the knee. Similarly to Osgood Schlatter’s strong repetitive quadriceps contractions are thought to cause traction to the lower part of the knee cap, disrupting the immature bone and causing pain. Patients are typically active boys aged 10 to 13 years but can also affect active girls a couple of years younger. Symptoms consist of:

• Pain at the front of the knee cap
• Aggrevated by exercise, stair climbing, squatting, kneeling, jumping and running
• Limping after exercise.
• Relieved by rest