Aches and pains are common in growing children and teenagers, especially those who are very active in sport. Most are harmless and settle with time, sensible changes to activity and the right exercises, but a few signs always need a doctor's opinion. This section explains the most common problems and when to seek help.
Common children & teens conditions
Osgood–Schlatter disease (Osgood-Schlatter, tibial tubercle apophysitis)
Osgood–Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in active children and teenagers, felt at the bony bump just below the kneecap.
Read more→Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis) (calcaneal apophysitis, heel growth plate pain)
Sever's disease is irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel bone, and it is the most common cause of heel pain in active children.
Read more→Growing pains (benign limb pain of childhood, benign nocturnal limb pains)
Growing pains are recurring aching pains in both legs, usually in the evening or at night, in otherwise healthy young children.
Read more→Scoliosis in children and teens (adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, AIS)
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a sideways, twisted curve of the spine that develops during growth, usually in the teenage years, with no known cause.
Read more→Joint hypermobility in children (being double-jointed, hypermobility spectrum disorder)
Joint hypermobility means a child's joints move further than most people's – often called being 'double-jointed'.
Read more→Sports injuries and overuse in young athletes (youth sports injuries, overuse injuries in children)
Sports injuries in young athletes include sudden injuries such as sprains and gradual overuse problems such as growth-plate pain, tendon pain and stress injuries.
Read more→
Getting the right help
Not sure which of these fits? Our team can assess what is going on, explain it clearly and point you to the right care, including referral back to your GP where that is the better route.
Other areas
- Head and jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Wrist and hand pain
- Upper back and chest wall pain
- Lower back pain
- Hip, groin and pelvic pain
- Knee pain
- Shin and calf pain
- Ankle and foot pain
- Pain in pregnancy and after birth
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or call NHS 111.
