Adolescent Physiotherapy
Adolescent Musculoskeletal Injuries:
Adolescence is defined as the second decade of life and represents a period of significant physical, psychological and cognitive development. During puberty, adolescents undergo marked growth and significant musculoskeletal and physiological development.
In addition to overall height changes, there are rapid increases in long bone length and limb mass and a temporary decline in coordination and neuromuscular control!
Girls begin their pubertal growth spurt around 9 years of age and boys at 11 years of age. In total, females and males will grow ~25cm and ~28cm respectively, during this pubertal growth spurt.
In addition to overall height changes, they will also experience rapid increases in long bone length and in overall limb mass. With longer and heavier limbs to control, it’s no wonder that there is also a temporary decline in coordination and neuromuscular control during this period!
These changes related to rapid growth and bony changes can cause a range of injuries unique to the adolescent group including:
- Avulsion Fracture Injuries
- Apophysitis
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
Avulsion Fractures:
A small chip of bone is pulled off by a relatively stronger muscle during a sudden, forceful muscle contraction during sports or activity. These injuries are often managed conservatively and respond well to physiotherapy, strengthening exercises and a gradual return to sport.
Apophysitis:
The apophysis describes the part of a bone where major tendons and ligaments attach. Apophysitis is an irritation and inflammation of this bony attachment point and is most often an overuse injury, with the adolescent completing high training loads or repetitive movements in their sport. Common sites for apophysitis are the knee (oschgood schlatters), heel (severs disease) and at multiple locations around the hip.
Osteochondritis dissecans:
Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint disorder, where break-down of bone and the overlying cartilage occurs. This damage can cause small pieces of bone to separate and create pain and swelling in the joint. The exact cause of this disorder is not known, but it is thought that repetitive stress or small traumas during sporting activities may affect blood supply to the bone thus creating the bony damage.
Early diagnosis and treatment is key for better long-term outcomes. Many adolescents can be managed conservatively, with activity restriction and reduced loads through the affected joint (often with the use of braces and/or crutches). Sometimes surgery is required to help promote bony healing. After surgery, these adolescents will require physiotherapy rehabilitation to improve strength and mobility and a guided return to activities.
Experienced in assessing and managing these unique adolescent musculoskeletal injuries.
At Fit and Flow Physiotherapy our physiotherapists are experienced in assessing and managing these unique adolescent musculoskeletal injuries.
We will work closely with the adolescent athlete and “their team”, that is the other treating medical practitioners, team coaches and support staff and even school teachers, to ensure a coordinated approach to your adolescent’s management, which will see them back on the field/court sooner!
We will assess your adolescent for strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness (proprioception)deficits that may have set them up for this injury. Allowing us to create an individualised management plan that will not only treat this current injury but also address deficits that could set them up for future injuries too!
If you have more questions about an Adolescent Injury, enter some more details in our Injury Form so we can get back to you!
About Fit and Flow
Extensive experience in musculoskeletal and sports injuries, adolescent injuries, pre and post-natal physiotherapy, women's health and surgical rehabilitation provided from expert Physiotherapists in Caringbah.
Tell us more about your injury
Tell our Carngbah Physiotherapists more about your injury. Not sure whether our physiotherapy clinic in the Sutherland Shire can help with your current injury or limitation? Fill out the questionnaire with some background information and we can contact you about your specific injury!
🚨PSA🚨the Fit and Flow Clinic will be CLOSED on 25th April for ANZAC Day
We look forward to seeing you in the clinic again on the 26th! ☺️
Happy Easter from our Fit and Flow family to yours! 💜💙 We hope that today is filled with lots of celebration 🎉🥳 (and chocolate (at every meal)) 🍫🍫🍫
We look forward to seeing you all in the clinic again on Tuesday! 🐣
Fit and Flow will be closed from 15th April (Good Friday) through to Monday 18th (Easter Monday) for the Easter Long Weekend! 🍫🐣
All email and phone inquiries will be answered when the clinic re-opens on Tuesday 19th 📞📧
Have a happy and safe Easter! 🥰
Though there are a number of potential factors that may contribute to the development of plagiocephaly and torticollis in an infant, there are ways it can be avoided or prevented 😁
It is important to encourage activities that promote early head control, such as:
- Cradling your baby's head in the middle when they are awake and alert.
- Gently talk or sing to your baby to encourage them to keep their head there.
- Once your baby is able to maintain eye contact, catch their attention and slowly move back and forth, allowing them to follow your face by turning their head.
- Offer early tummy time by placing them on your chest and encouraging them to lift their head.
If you feel you need further guidance on recognising or preventing these conditions in your infant, schedule an appointment with our Paediatric physiotherapist, Bree!
Book by calling us on 📞(02) 8544 3680, or by clicking the link in our bio! 💻
When gauging whether an infant is suffering from plagiocephaly and/or toriticollis, parents may notice 🤔:
- Their baby prefers to turn their head to one side (e.g. towards the right) when sleeping or at other times when positioned on their back.
- Their baby can't keep their head turned in the opposite direction (e.g. towards the left).
- Their baby has a head tilt
- Their baby has a misshapen head (i.e. the back of the head is flattened in appearance)
Look out for out next post where we outline some preventative measures! 👀 In the meantime, if you're concerned that your child is suffering from either of these conditions, book a consultation with our highly experienced Paediatric physiotherapist, Brianna! ☺️
You can reach us on (02) 8544 3680, or book online at a time that suits you.