For parents

What is causing your child's pain?

Plain-English explanations of the most common reasons growing athletes end up on the sidelines, what parents worry about with each one, what you can do this week, and when to get them seen.

8–14 years

Sever's Disease

Heel pain in active children caused by inflammation of the growth plate at the back of the heel.

Read guide

10–15 years

Osgood–Schlatter Disease

Painful bump just below the kneecap caused by traction on the growing shin bone.

Read guide

10–14 years

Sinding-Larsen–Johansson

Pain at the bottom of the kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches, a cousin of Osgood–Schlatter.

Read guide

11–16 years

Growth-Related Back Pain

Lower back pain in young athletes linked to rapid growth, tight hips and high training loads.

Read guide

12–17 years

Adolescent Patellofemoral Pain

Pain around or behind the kneecap in active teenagers - a load and control problem, not a growth-plate injury.

Read guide