Growing Pains and Osgood-Schlatter: Proper Knee Pain Care

Your child complains their knees hurt after sport. You've been told it's just growing pains and they'll grow out of it. But watching them limp off the field or wince going up stairs doesn't feel like something to ignore. Growing pains and Osgood-Schlatter disease are real conditions that affect active kids — and while they do resolve with time, how you manage them makes a big difference to your child's comfort and their ability to stay active.

What Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease and Why Does It Happen?

Osgood-Schlatter is a growth-related condition that causes pain and swelling just below the kneecap. It happens where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone, at a spot called the tibial tuberosity. During growth spurts, this area is still developing. The quadriceps muscle pulls on the tendon, and the tendon pulls on that bony attachment point. When a child is running, jumping, or kicking repeatedly, this traction can irritate the growth plate and cause inflammation.

It's most common in kids aged 10 to 15 who play sports involving running and jumping — footy, basketball, netball, soccer. You'll often notice a visible bump below the knee that's tender to touch. The pain usually gets worse with activity and eases with rest. It's not dangerous, but it can sideline an active child for months if it's not managed well.

Are Growing Pains the Same Thing?

Not quite. Classic growing pains tend to happen at night, often in the thighs or calves, and usually affect both legs. They're more of a deep ache than a sharp pain, and they're not linked to a specific activity. Osgood-Schlatter, on the other hand, is activity-related and localised to one spot below the knee. The two can coexist, but they're different conditions. If the pain is clearly at the front of the knee and gets worse with sport, Osgood-Schlatter is the more likely culprit.

How Osteopathy Helps Kids With Knee Pain

You can't speed up skeletal maturity, but you can reduce the strain on that vulnerable growth plate. Osteopathy focuses on improving how the whole lower limb moves. Tight quads, restricted hip flexors, and stiff ankles all increase the load through the knee. By releasing tension in these areas and improving joint mobility, we take pressure off the tibial tuberosity. This often means less pain and a faster return to sport — without having to stop everything completely.

We also look at movement patterns. Sometimes the way a child runs or lands is adding extra stress to the knee. Simple corrections to their mechanics can make training more comfortable. Parents across Casey and South-East Melbourne bring their kids to RISE because we take the time to explain what's happening and give practical advice that fits around their sport.

If your child has been dealing with knee pain that won't settle, it's worth having it properly assessed. Understanding what's driving the pain — and what you can actually do about it — gives you a clearer path forward. You can book an appointment at RISE Sports & Spinal in Berwick to get a thorough assessment and a plan that keeps your child moving.

Book an initial consultation at RISE Sports & Spinal in Berwick. Clear diagnosis, hands-on treatment, and a plan that actually gets you better.