Phillip Wilson has probably the most experience in dealing with children’s musculoskeletal conditions in Hampshire. He was Head of the Academy at Southampton Football Club for 4 years prior to being promoted to the first team. During this time he built a medical team from scratch and trained a large number of physios in how to deal with sporting injuries in children. There were also many presentations of growing pains, and other common and occasionally rare conditions which he dealt with whilst at S.F.C. He is now running the successful Twyford Clinic and is helping children return to a pain free and active life without delay.

We are seeing many children here at The Twyford clinic who are suffering with different pains. A large percentage of children go through some form of growing pain; 23-40%. It can present in many ways, from a vague ache to a very specific sharp pain. Most children will pass through the period of pain though this can take a long time. We are here to help your child progress on from pain very quickly.

Symptoms can include a vague ache normally in the lower limbs. This is very common during all stages of growth, there is evidence this is more frequent in children who have a biomechanical problem. This vague pain can also present as idiopathic, however my theory is that as children grow their bodies are adapting all the time, bones grow faster initially and muscles, vascular system, nerves, which then catch up, this period of alteration in their biomechanics can lead to the vague feeling of growth pain, but can also lead to very specific musculoskeletal pains

Growth pains normally occur during and after a period of rapid growth, often sporting activity is affected and after excessive exercise the pains do worsen, girls often have slower growth but they equally affected. Biomechanics are the key to many of the issues presented, muscle tightness, muscle imbalances, hypermobility, altered gait, poor muscular control, flat feet are all commonly seen in children with growing pains, the main period for musculoskeletal pains is between 11 until finishing growing, up to around 17 in females and 21 in males.

Most common complaints include

• plantar fasciitis • Sever’s disease • Osgood-Schlatter’s disease
• patella femoral issues • Hamstring pains • scoliosis and/ or back pain
• shoulder pain • postural dysfunctions.

One or any of these conditions can affect young people and it is important to resolve these issues as soon as possible.

Signs often seen include:

• pronation of the feet • tibial rotation               • squinting patellae        • valgus knees
• hyperextension of the knees • tight musculature • increased or flattened lumbar curve
• increased thoracic kyphosis • hip and shoulder height differences
• protracted chin position • lumbo-pelvic instability.

We listen to what each child is telling us, encouraging them to give a comprehensive history which will help indicate what their problem is, including if there is any indication of a serious pathology for which they may need referring on. A full biomechanical assessment is undertaken which then will guide us to provide a bespoke treatment plan for your child. We see regularly that pains settle very quickly with the correct implementation of treatment and home stretching or strengthening programme.

Phillip ensures both you and your child understands the problem and how best to address it. If your child is suffering with any of these symptoms and you would like a rapid solution contact us at The Twyford Clinic.

Call Now 01962 714979