3 Common Adolescent Sports Injuries

Adolescence is a time of rapid growth, energy, and discovery, but for many young athletes, it can also be a time of injury. As bones, muscles, and tendons grow at different rates, certain areas of the body can become more vulnerable to stress, especially in sports involving running, jumping, or quick directional changes.

Three of the most common injuries seen in adolescent athletes—Osgood-Schlatter disease, Sever’s disease, and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome—are all related to this imbalance in growth. While these conditions can be painful and limiting, they are typically managed well with conservative treatment, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and activity modification.

In this blog, we’ll explore the background, symptoms, and conservative care options for each of these conditions.

1. Osgood-Schlatter Disease – Tibial Tuberosity Apophysitis

Osgood-Schlatter disease affects the tibial tuberosity, the bony prominence just below the kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches. It typically affects adolescents aged 12 to 16, especially those going through a growth spurt. Repetitive stress from activities like running, jumping, or kicking can irritate the growth plate in this area, leading to inflammation and pain.

2. Sever’s Disease – Calcaneal Apophysitis

Sever’s disease, or calcaneal apophysitis, is the most common cause of heel pain in children. It affects the growth plate at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches to the calcaneus (heel bone). It is most common in children aged 8 to 14 who play sports multiple times per week.

3. Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome – Patellar Apophysitis

Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome is another growth-related injury, affecting the lower part of the patella (kneecap) where the patellar tendon attaches. Like Osgood-Schlatter, this condition is caused by repetitive strain during periods of rapid growth, especially when bone length increases faster than muscle flexibility and strength.

Signs & Symptoms Comparison

All three conditions involve pain due to inflammation at growth plates where tendons attach to bone. However, the location and nature of the pain vary slightly.

Condition	Pain Location	Additional Symptoms
Osgood-Schlatter Disease	Just below the kneecap (tibial tuberosity)	Swelling over shin bump, worsens with running/jumping/kneeling, relieved by rest
Sever’s Disease	Back of the heel (Achilles insertion)	Tenderness, heel swelling, limping, walking on toes, pain after sports
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome	Bottom of the kneecap (inferior pole of patella)	Pain during jumping/squatting, swelling at kneecap, stiffness after activity

Conservative Care Options

Conservative care for these injuries typically includes:

🔸 Strengthening Exercises

• Osgood-Schlatter: Strengthen the quadriceps, especially the VMO (vastus medialis oblique), to improve knee stability.

• Sever’s Disease: Strengthen the calf muscles to support the Achilles tendon and reduce stress on the heel.

• Sinding-Larsen-Johansson: Strengthen quadriceps and hip muscles to stabilise the knee and reduce tension on the patella.
  

🔸 Stretching & Soft Tissue Work

• Osgood-Schlatter: Stretch quads and hamstrings to reduce strain on the patellar tendon.

• Sever’s Disease: Stretch the calf muscles to reduce Achilles tension.

• Sinding-Larsen-Johansson: Stretch quads and hamstrings to relieve knee stress.
  

🔸 Activity Modification

Temporarily reduce high-impact activities like running or jumping. A gradual return to sport is encouraged once symptoms improve, starting with low-impact movements.

🔸 Taping

Supportive taping techniques may help relieve strain on the knee or heel during activity and provide short-term pain relief.

🔸 Biomechanical Adjustments

• Foot orthotics may help offload pressure on the heel (especially in Sever’s disease).

• Chiropractic adjustments in the knee, hip, or spine may improve overall function and movement patterns.
  

How Spinal & Sports Care Can Help

At Spinal and Sports Care, our team of physiotherapists and chiropractors take a holistic, personalised approach. We assess not only the area of concern, but also the surrounding joints from the lower back to the feet to identify contributing factors.

After a thorough assessment, we design a tailored rehabilitation plan that includes:

• Activity modification
• Soft tissue therapy (massage, stretching, mobilisation)
• Strength and flexibility training
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Taping and orthotic recommendations

Our goal is not only to relieve pain and inflammation but also to address the underlying biomechanical issues to prevent recurrence—helping your child get back on the field and stay there.

Get The Right Treatment With Spinal & Sports Care

Although Osgood-Schlatter disease, Sever’s disease, and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome can be painful and frustrating, they are highly manageable with the right care. Early intervention, individualised treatment, and a supportive recovery plan can help your young athlete return to sport confidently without long-term consequences.

At Spinal and Sports Care, we’re here to help every step of the way. Reach out to our team today for a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.