Growing Athlete Injuries Brisbane

Young athletes who are growing quickly face a unique set of injury risks that are distinct from adult athletes and even from older teenagers. At Shoes Feet Gear, our Brisbane sports podiatrists have extensive experience assessing and treating the specific injuries that affect growing athletes — and understanding why they occur.

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Why Growing Athletes Are More Prone to Injury

Research confirms that athletes who are growing rapidly have a significantly higher chance of injury. This is not simply a matter of doing too much — it is a consequence of the biology of rapid growth itself.

Muscles and Tendons Lag Behind Bone Growth

During periods of rapid growth, the long bones of the body — the femur, tibia, fibula and others — extend quickly, driving the accelerated increase in height that characterises adolescent growth spurts. However, the muscles and tendons that attach to these bones do not grow at the same rate. They lag behind.

This lag means that rapidly growing athletes almost always have tighter muscles and tendons than their peers who are growing more slowly. These tight muscles and tendons alter biomechanics, increase stress and strain through the lower limb, and significantly increase the chance of injury.

Reduced Bone Strength During Growth

When bones are extending rapidly, their structural strength is temporarily reduced. Bone needs time to consolidate and mineralise after a growth phase — and during that consolidation period, it is more vulnerable to stress and load. This is one of the reasons we see bone stress injuries in young athletes who appear otherwise healthy and well-conditioned.

Growth Plate Injuries

Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage near the ends of long bones where growth occurs. During periods of rapid growth, these plates are maturing and are particularly susceptible to inflammation and injury from repetitive load. The two most common growth plate injuries we treat in Brisbane are:

Sever's Disease — Heel Growth Plate

Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is inflammation of the growth plate at the back of the heel. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain in children aged approximately 8 to 14 years, and is particularly prevalent in active kids involved in running and jumping sports. The Achilles tendon attaches directly to this growth plate, and the combination of rapid growth, tight calf muscles and high impact load creates the conditions for inflammation. Learn more about Sever's disease.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease — Knee Growth Plate

Osgood-Schlatter disease is inflammation of the growth plate at the front of the knee, at the tibial tuberosity — the bony prominence just below the kneecap where the patellar tendon inserts. It is common in athletes aged approximately 10 to 15 years, particularly those involved in sports with significant running, jumping and kicking. The area becomes painful and often visibly prominent. Like Sever's disease, it is driven by the combination of rapid bone growth, tight quadriceps and high training load. Learn more about knee pain in young athletes.

Assessment and Management

Growth-related injuries require a different approach to adult overuse injuries. Management must account for the athlete's stage of growth, their sport demands, their muscle and tendon flexibility, and their training load across all sports. Rest alone is rarely the complete answer — and returning to sport without addressing the underlying biomechanical and load factors typically leads to recurrence.

Our Brisbane sports podiatrists assess growing athletes with a full biomechanical evaluation, load history and footwear review. Treatment may include load modification, stretching and strengthening programs, orthotic therapy and footwear advice tailored to the athlete's sport.

Related Pages

• School Sport Injuries Brisbane
• Teenage Athlete Overuse Injuries
• Training Load in Young Athletes
• Return to Sport for Young Athletes
• Sever's Disease (Children's Heel Pain)
• Knee Pain

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If your child is experiencing pain during or after sport and is in a period of rapid growth, early assessment is important. Our Brisbane podiatry clinic in Bardon specialises in junior and adolescent athletes across all sports.

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Or call us on (07) 3367 8667.