Adolescent Sporting Injuries

The growing adolescent body is particularly vulnerable to sporting injuries if not managed correctly. Rapid changes in bone maturation, muscle growth, and hormones, combined with over-training, can increase the risk of injury. Time away from sport can also affect an adolescent’s overall wellbeing, confidence, and motivation.

Common adolescent sporting injuries we see are:

• Osgood Schlatter’s condition (knee growth plate)

• Jumper’s Knee (Patella tendonitis or tendinosis)

• Sinding Larsen Johansson condition (knee growth plate)

• ACL ruptures

• Sever’s condition (heel growth plate)

• Adolescent low back pain

• Scoliosis

• Stress fractures (lumbar spine, lower limb)

• Avulsion fractures (ACL, hip flexor)

• Ligament sprains (ankle, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist)

• Osteitis pubis (pubic stress injury)

• Joint dislocations (kneecap, shoulder)

Addressing symptoms early is important to prevent chronic injuries that can carry over into adulthood. Consulting a physiotherapist for load management, injury prevention programs, and collaboration with parents and coaches is essential to safely manage and recover from these injuries. It’s a team effort.