When we complained when we were little that our legs or our mothers and grandmothers hurt, they told us that “that’s because you’re growing up”.
But is there any truth behind this statement?
It is unquestionable that some children suddenly present knee pain and even inflammation, which can cause alarm in their parents.
Well, as the (ICOPCV) explains, behind many of these pains is the so-called Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Specifically, Jorge Escoto, podiatrist and member of the ICOPCV board of directors, explains:
-
“Osgood-Schlatter disease is not a foot pathology, but an inflammation of the insertion of the patellar tendon on the tibia. And the truth is that this inflammation occurs when they hit the growth spurt, between the ages of 10 and 15, and it is more common in boys.
And it is that during this period of growth the bones, muscles and tendons do not grow at the same time, and that is why imbalances that cause pain occur.
But Osgood-Schlatter disease is not only caused by growth, and parents should take note of this:
At these ages it is very common for children to be enrolled in many sports activities, and this can also increase the pain caused by the disease.
Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease
ICOPCV specialists in podiatry highlight that some symptoms that may indicate that we are facing Osgood-Schlatter disease are:
-
The child has pain and tenderness in the front of the knee
-
Mild swelling or a lump below the kneecap
-
Same thing on top of tibia
And in all cases it is a pain that worsens with exercise or activity.
A couple of important facts are that:
-
Many times this pathology affects only one of the knees, but it is not a reliable data since in 50% of the cases it can affect both.
-
In addition, when the pain appears, it is not usually prolonged in time, but is usually intermittent, appearing and disappearing.
The knee pain caused by this pathology generally disappears when the growth stage ends.
Should this disease be treated?
“The procedure in these cases is that, among other issues, podiatrists perform a physical examination of the child in which we palpate and move the knee, examine its sensitivity, range of motion and stability, and sometimes it is not even necessary to perform a lateral knee X-ray or an ultrasound of the area”, explains Jorge Escoto.
-
Along with this, the pathology expert specifies that it is common for these children to practice some type of and when the pathology occurs it is necessary cease activity to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
It is also recommended apply cold in the area to relieve swelling and pain. Even if the health care provider indicates it, it may be necessary to take anti-inflammatories.
In addition to all this, there is the possibility that the podiatrist recommends the use of some templates adapted that are made in a personalized way for the child, in order to reduce the overload and impacts on the knee that have been determined after an exhaustive study of the footprint.
Finally, something that anyone who practices sports should do on a routine basis: perform stretching before doing any sporting activity in order to alleviate the impact and reduce tension in the area.