Musculoskeletal and growth-related conditions
Children are not simply ‘small adults’, their musculo-skeletal system continues to grow and develop up to 18 years of age, for some it is even longer! There are growth plates that are active in all bones during the growing years. The growth plates in bones are active at different times of children’s development, making them susceptible to different growth-related conditions and sports related injuries at various stages of childhood. “Growing Pains” are often a sign that there is an imbalance between the developmental growth of the bones and the soft tissues.
The following conditions are commonly seen in children.
Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a condition most commonly found in children and adolescents, often during puberty, which is characterized by a painful bump just below one or both knees. This condition frequently occurs in children who are active and participate in sports with regular running, jumping, or fast turns such as soccer, basketball and dance, among many others. Pain and discomfort is usually felt while doing the activities mentioned above. However, for some, the pain can be constant and quite debilitating in a child’s everyday life.
Similar conditions to this are: Sever’s Disease (heel pain), and Kohlers Disease (avascular necrosis of navicular bone)
Intoeing, sometimes referred to as being “pigeon-toed”, is a relatively common condition that primarily effects toddlers and children and can involve one or both feet. Intoeing is typically first noticed when children begin walking. However, there are cases when intoeing presents itself later on in childhood.
In many cases, intoeing doesn’t interfere with a child’s activities. Conversely, more severe cases of intoeing can cause children to trip or stumble on their feet, hindering their ability and confidence to engage in certain sports or activities. These incidences may become more frequent when walking on uneven surfaces, when running, or when the child is tired or distracted.
Congenital Torticollis
Congenital torticollis occurs in approximately 0.3% to 1.9% of all live births and occurs due to the shortening of one of the sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCMs).1
The SCMs are two large muscles in the neck that connect the back of your skull to your breastbone (sternum) and clavicle (on either side)
While experts are not sure exactly why some babies are born with a single shortened SCM, they suspect it may be due to one or more of the following factors:2.
- Crowding within the uterus during the pregnancy
- Fibrosis of the muscle from bleeding and/or trauma during childbirth
- Primary myopathy (muscle disease) of the SCM
- Abnormal development of this muscle
Treatment approaches for Congenital Torticollis include:
- manual therapy (e.g., therapist-led stretching exercises)
- repositioning therapy (e.g., tummy time)
Our Physiotherapy Clinic Services
The West Wimbledon Physiotherapy Clinic aims to provide a selection of services to maintain and enhance health and wellbeing. Although primarily a physiotherapy clinic, a range of other treatments are available.
