Our orthopedics, sports medicine and spine specialists at Children’s Wisconsin treat all types of overuse injuries. Some common overuse injuries include:

• Apophysitis: Injury to the growth cartilage of a growth plate in children that are still skeletally immature. Some examples of apophysitis are Sever’s Disease (apophysitis of the heel) and Osgood Schlatter’s disease (apophysitis of the front of the knee below the knee cap).
• Little league shoulder or elbow: Pain in the elbow or shoulder, especially after an activity, commonly caused by repeat throwing causing damage and inflammation to the growth plates.
• Shin splint: Pain over the shin area, commonly caused by excessive running, running on hard surfaces, or improper shoe wear.
• Spondylolysis: Low back pain caused by a defect in part of a vertebra called the pars.
• Spondylolisthesis: Low back pain caused by the slipping forward of a vertebra through this defect in the pars. Spondylolisthesis is often due to spondylolysis. But a child can have one without the other.
• Stress fractures: Small, hairline cracks in a bone, often caused by repetitive overuse or excessive stress.
• Stress injuries: Overuse injuries to bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments due to repetitive or excessive stress over a prolonged amount of time.
• Throwing injuries: Athletes of any age can suffer from throwing injuries, but these injuries are especially harmful to children because they are still growing. Throwing injuries can harm children’s bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and most often occur in the shoulders and elbows.
• Ulnar collateral ligament: Injury to the ligament on the inside of your elbow that can vary from mild to severe. A severe UCL injury is a tear in the UCL, which may require surgical repair known as a “Tommy John surgery.”

Our specialists use a combination of history, physical exam and imaging tests for diagnosis of overuse injuries. These tests include:

• CT Scan
• Diagnostic ultrasound
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• X-ray

In addition to rest and activity modifications, there are other ways Children’s Wisconsin experts care for overuse injuries in youth and adolescents including:

Medications: To help reduce pain and swelling, medications may be prescribed. These are usually NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These medications include ibuprofen and naproxen. They may be over-the-counter or prescription. Your health care provider will tell you what types and dosage are best for your child. Give these medications to your child only as prescribed.

Resting from activity: This means stopping or modifying any activity that stresses the injured body part.

Athletic training: Working with the licensed athletic trainer at your school, can help support the rehab and pain management needs as a young athlete goes through the treatment plan for an overuse injury.

Bracing or casting: Your child may be fitted with a brace or cast to wear for a few weeks to months. This brace or cast takes stress off the injured area, allowing symptoms to resolve.

Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening the muscles around the injured area, as well as improving overall body mechanics, flexibility and strength can help relieve symptoms due to these conditions. Your doctor may refer your child to a physical therapist (PT) for a course of physical therapy and exercises.

Surgery: Some types of overuse injuries may be treated with nonsurgical means, however in some cases surgery may need to be done. The type of surgery and recommendations vary based on the condition.

Expert pediatric care: At Children’s Wisconsin, our Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Spine Programs specializes in all areas of orthopedic care, from trauma, spine and fracture care, to sports medicine and concussion care. We treat all orthopedic conditions, from routine to serious. Kids are not just little adults, and require unique, individualized care for their developing little bodies. Our doctors are pediatric experts and every doctor specializes 100% in kids and teens.