Foot and ankle pain in teenagers isn’t necessarily growing pains or something minor that they’ll walk off. Teens face unique risks due to their growing bones, active lifestyles, and developing musculoskeletal systems. Conditions that may seem insignificant at first can lead to long-term issues if not properly diagnosed and treated.
Below, we explore what sets adolescent foot injuries apart, common foot conditions, and when to seek care from a foot and ankle specialist.
Bone Growth and Injury Risk
One of the primary reasons teens experience different foot problems is that their bones are still developing. Growth plates, the areas of new bone growth in children and teens, are made of cartilage, a rubbery, flexible material. As kids grow, the growth plates harden into solid bone.
Since growth plates are weaker than solid bone, they are more susceptible to injury.
Growth plates usually close near the end of puberty. This is typically for girls aged 13 to 15 years old and for boys aged 15 to 17 years old.
Common Growth Plate Injuries in Teenagers
Overuse injuries can affect the growth plates in children and teenagers. These injuries develop gradually due to repetitive stress on a part of the body, often from engaging in sports without enough time for recovery.
- Sever’s disease is swelling and irritation of the growth plate in the heel. During a growth spurt, muscles and tendons can become tight and pull on the heel’s growth plate. Participating in activities and sports pulls, leading to this injury.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease is swelling and irritation of the growth plate at the top of the shinbone. The pain usually worsens with running, jumping, going up stairs, and walking up hills. Severe pain may lead to limping.
- Little League elbow is an overuse injury caused by repetitive throwing, which injures a growth plate in the elbow. Most cases occur in pitchers, but any young athlete who throws frequently can develop the condition.
Why Teens May Not Speak Up
Teenagers may try to push through foot or ankle pain if they’re concerned about missing sports practice or being sidelined from activities. Alternatively, they may avoid activities they once enjoyed. If you notice limping, other changes in how they walk or move, or a reluctance to participate in physical activity, it may be time to consult a specialist.
Diagnosis of Growth Plate Injuries
Doctors diagnose growth plate injuries by:
- asking when the pain started and how the injury happened,
- checking the injured area for tenderness, swelling, and deformity, and
- diagnostic imaging.
Since growth plates have not yet hardened into solid bone, the structures and injuries to them don’t show up on x-rays. Instead, growth plates appear as gaps between bones. Therefore, a growth plate injury may not be apparent on an x-ray. Doctors may then order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or an ultrasound.
Treatment of Growth Plate Injuries
Prompt treatment is important to prevent long-term complications. In many cases, the injured area is immobilized with a cast or splint to allow the bone to rest and heal. If the ends of the bone are out of place, the doctor may need to realign them either manually (closed reduction) or through surgery (open reduction). Pins may be used during surgery to hold the bones in place and protect the growth plate.
Follow-up appointments help monitor bone growth and catch any changes early. After the bone has healed, physical therapy may be recommended to restore strength and normal movement.
Get Your Teen Back to Doing What They Love
What may seem like a minor issue could interfere with normal bone growth if left untreated. If your child has foot or ankle pain that doesn’t improve after a few days of rest or you notice swelling, bruising, or difficulty walking, it’s time to see a specialist.
At The Foot and Ankle Center, we work with families to diagnose and treat growth plate injuries in kids and teens, so they can get back to safely and comfortably doing what they love.
To see one of our expert podiatrists, schedule an appointment today!