Common lower leg developmental conditions in active children
During childhood development, lower legs undergo several stages of change before the final alignment is achieved. This is observable particularly within the knees where valgus and varus adjustments can occur up until the age of 12.
In some cases, the knees fail to straighten and can remain at a valgus or varus angles causing uneven weight-bearing across the lower legs and thus cause further problems.
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Furthermore, as the bones and muscles change in size and shape at differing rates, growth plates can be irritated. Treatments vary depending on the condition and its cause and thus require accurate diagnoses by an experienced podiatrist.
Enquire now to find out more about our comprehensive biomechanical assessments that include developmental assessments of lower legs.
Growing pain
The distinguising feature of growing pain is the location of the pain.
- Pain is always through larger muscular areas such as calfs, quadriceps and hamstrings
- Pain across joints, ligaments and tendons is NOT growing pain.
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Treatment : Stretching, soft tissue massage and heat packs
Heel Pain: Sever's Disease
Sever's disease is the most common cause of heel pain in active children, though it can also present as arch, and or achilles pain. It is often associated with uneven weight bearing due to biomechanical factors, growth spurt and triceps surae musculature tightness, which leads to pulling and subsequent irritation of the calcaneal growth plate.
Treatment is tailored towards factors contributing to the development of the condition. This includes :
- RICE (rest, compress and ice technique during the inflammatory stage)
- Soft tissue therapy to release tight musculature
- heel lifts/footwear modifications and additions to reduce direct tension across the growth plate
- correction of biomechanical and structural factors
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Osgood-Schlatter's Disease
Osgood Schlatters disease involves the irritation of the tibial tuberosity, a growth plate across which the patellar tendon inserts.
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Outside of knee pain this condition can cause enlargement of and damage to the tibial tuberosity which in severe cases may require surgical intervention.
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Early diagnoses and treatment of the causative factors can prevent the progression of the condition and relieve pain.
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At Malvern foot and ankle podiatry clinic, we tailor specific exercise regimes in combination with other therapies. We focus on building strength and maintaining joint range of motion while addressing causative factors through soft tissue therapy, footwear and biomechanical corrections. This combination allows for fast recovery and return to exercise.