Traction Apophysitis – The Alex

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What is a traction apophysitis?

Traction apophysitis is a term used for a group of ‘conditions’ that tends to affect children who are having a ‘growth spurt’.

The two most common conditions are:

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Tibial apophysitis)
• Severs Disease (Calcaneal apophysitis)

Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Tibial apophysitis)

This tends to affect children aged 11 to 15 and is more common in boys. The main symptom is pain just below the front of the knee; sometimes there is also a tender lump. Often, the pain is noticed after a high level of physical activity but with rest it tends to settle.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is probably the result of rapid growth and pulling of the quadriceps tendon around the growth plate of the knee.

Severs disease (Calcaneal apophysitis)

This tends to affect children aged 7 to 12 and is more common in boys. The main symptom is heel pain where the Achilles tendon joins the heel bone.

Often, the pain is noticed after a high level of physical activity but with rest it tends to settle.

Severs disease is probably the result of rapid growth and pulling of the Achilles tendon around the growth plate of the heel.

How are these conditions treated?

These conditions will get better on their own as your child rests. However, pain may start again with a high level of physical activity and possibly take weeks or months to settle completely. Traction apophysitis conditions are not the cause of any long term problems like arthritis.

Useful numbers

NHS 111 – 24hr advice line