Is Your Child’s Post-Sport Pain Normal? What Albany Creek Podiatrists See Every Week

If you have a child in Albany Creek playing soccer, AFL, netball, basketball, cricket or athletics, chances are you have heard some version of this:

“My heel hurts after training.”

“My knees ache.”

“My shins are sore.”

Or worse, you notice they are limping after a weekend game.

As parents, it can be hard to know what is normal post-sport soreness and what needs attention. Kids are active. They grow quickly. They get bumps and bruises. But persistent foot and leg pain is not something they should just push through.

At My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, we see junior athletes every week. The good news is that most sports-related foot and heel pain in children responds very well to treatment when caught early. The key is recognising the signs and understanding what is actually happening.

Why Children Are More Vulnerable to Sports Injuries Than Adults

Children are not just small adults. Their bodies are still growing and developing.

Unlike adults, children and teenagers have growth plates at the ends of certain bones. These areas of developing bone are softer and more vulnerable to stress than fully matured bone. During growth spurts, bones can lengthen quickly while muscles and tendons take longer to adapt. This creates tightness and increased strain where tendons attach to bone, making these areas more susceptible to irritation.

Add to that the reality of sport in Queensland. Many kids play multiple sports across the year with very little structured rest. A child might finish winter football and move straight into summer cricket, then into athletics. Training load increases, but recovery often does not.

This combination of:

• Rapid growth

• Tight muscles during growth spurts

• High training volume

• Hard playing surfaces

Makes overuse injuries common in active children.

When your child says their heel or shin hurts, it is worth taking seriously. Often there is a very real growth-related or biomechanical reason behind it.

The Most Common Sports Injuries We See in Junior Athletes

Sever’s Disease and Kids Heel Pain

The most common cause of heel pain in children aged 8 to 14 is Sever’s disease.

Despite the name, it is not actually a “disease.” It is a growth-related condition that occurs when the growth plate at the back of the heel becomes irritated from repeated stress. The term can sound unnecessarily scary, but it simply describes inflammation of a developing area of bone during periods of rapid growth.

Running and jumping sports such as soccer, AFL and athletics are common triggers.

Children usually complain of:

• Pain at the back or bottom of the heel

• Pain that is worse after sport

• Morning stiffness or discomfort

The good news is that Sever’s disease is very common, highly manageable, and does not cause long-term damage when treated properly. With the right load management, footwear advice and strengthening, most children return to sport comfortably.

If you would like a deeper explanation, you can read our detailed guide on Sever’s disease treatment here

Shin Splints in Children

Shin splints are another common issue we see in junior athletes, particularly when a child increases their training load, starts a new sport, or moves into higher intensity competition.

Pain is usually felt along the inside or front of the shinbone during or after running. It may start as a mild ache that settles with rest, but over time it can become sharper or more persistent. Parents often hear their child describe it as “just sore shins” or assume it is growing pains.

While growing pains do exist, consistent shin pain during sport is usually a sign that the bone and surrounding tissues are under more stress than they can currently tolerate.

Common contributors include:

• Rapid increases in training volume

• Running on hard surfaces

• Worn or inappropriate footwear

• Flat feet or excessive pronation

• Tight calves during growth spurts

Left unchecked, shin splints can progress to stress reactions or even stress fractures, which require significantly longer recovery periods.

Early assessment allows us to modify load, review footwear, assess foot posture and lower limb alignment, and address any strength or biomechanical contributors before the problem escalates. In most cases, when caught early, children recover quickly and return to sport without long-term issues.

Knee Pain and Osgood-Schlatter’s

Pain just below the kneecap in active teenagers is very often Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome.

It is a growth-related condition that occurs when repeated pulling from the patella tendon irritates the growth plate at the top of the shinbone. During growth spurts, this area is particularly vulnerable to stress.

Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome is especially common in sports that involve sprinting, jumping and rapid changes of direction such as AFL, netball, basketball and athletics.

Children with Osgood-Schlatter’s may complain of:

• Pain just below the kneecap

• Swelling or tenderness at the top of the shinbone

• Pain when running, jumping or kneeling

• Increased discomfort after training sessions or games

Parents often notice a small bony bump developing below the knee. While this can look concerning, it is typically the body’s response to repeated traction during growth.

However, not all anterior knee pain in children is Osgood-Schlatter’s.

Another very common cause is patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS typically presents as pain around or behind the kneecap rather than directly below it. It is often aggravated by:

• Running

• Stairs

• Squatting

• Sitting for long periods

PFPS is usually related to load, lower limb alignment and muscle control rather than irritation of a growth plate.

Both Osgood-Schlatter’s Syndrome and patellofemoral pain are common in junior athletes, particularly during growth spurts. The key difference lies in where the pain is located and what structure is being stressed.

When identified early, both conditions are very manageable. Treatment usually focuses on:

• Load management

• Strengthening around the hip and knee

• Addressing lower limb mechanics

• Footwear advice

• In some cases, orthotics if alignment is contributing

Completely stopping sport is rarely required, but modifying training volume during flare-ups can make a significant difference.

You can read more in our detailed guide here

Ankle Sprains and Instability in Junior Athletes

If your child frequently rolls their ankle, it is rarely just bad luck.

Ankle sprains are common in sports involving jumping, cutting and uneven surfaces. However, when sprains keep happening, it can point to an underlying issue such as:

• Poor foot posture

• Weak lateral ankle muscles

• Reduced balance and proprioception

• Inadequate rehabilitation after a previous sprain

Many children return to sport too quickly after an ankle sprain. Once the swelling settles, they feel fine and resume activity, but the ankle remains unstable. This increases the risk of repeated sprains and longer-term joint issues.

Repeated ankle instability can also alter walking and running patterns, increasing stress further up the chain at the knee and hip.

During assessment, we look at:

• Foot alignment

• Ankle stability

• Single-leg balance

• Strength and control

Treatment may involve targeted strengthening, balance retraining, taping, footwear advice and in some cases orthotics if foot position is contributing to instability.

Addressing the root cause early reduces recurrence risk and helps young athletes stay confidently involved in the sports they enjoy.

What a Sports Podiatry Assessment Looks Like for a Child

Parents are often surprised at how straightforward and comfortable a sports podiatry assessment is.

We start by asking about:

• When the pain began

• What sports your child plays

• Changes in training load

• Footwear being worn

We then assess:

• How your child walks and runs

• Foot posture and function

• Leg length and joint range

• Strength and balance

Everything is explained in plain language. No jargon. No complicated medical terminology. Children are involved in the conversation so they understand what is happening in their own body.

If needed, we outline a simple plan that fits around school and sport commitments.

Treatment Options for Junior Athletes

Treatment depends on the condition, age and severity.

Load Management

Often the first step is temporarily reducing training volume rather than stopping sport entirely. Complete rest is rarely necessary.

Exercise Rehabilitation

Specific strengthening and mobility exercises help support growing joints and improve tissue resilience.

Footwear Advice

Many children wear football boots or school shoes that do not suit their foot type. Simple footwear adjustments can significantly reduce load through the heel or shin.

Custom Foot Orthotics

If foot position is contributing to excessive strain, custom orthotics may be recommended.

Learn more about orthotics here: → /custom-foot-orthotics

Shockwave Therapy

For older children or teenagers with stubborn tendon conditions, shockwave therapy may be appropriate in select cases.

When Should Parents Act?

Do not wait if:

• Pain has lasted longer than two weeks

• Your child is avoiding sport they previously enjoyed

• They are limping during or after activity

• The same injury keeps returning

Early treatment for children is almost always simpler and faster than managing a problem that has been left to worsen.

If you are unsure whether your child’s symptoms are normal, this guide may also help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can children see a sports podiatrist?

Children of any age can be assessed, particularly if they are active in sport.

What is Sever’s disease and how is it treated?

It is inflammation of the heel growth plate caused by repeated stress. Treatment usually involves load modification, strengthening and footwear advice.

Will my child need orthotics?

Not always. Orthotics are only recommended when foot position is a clear contributing factor to the pain they are experiencing.

How long does recovery take?

It really depends on the injury and the extent of damage that has occurred. Some injuries will settle within days to weeks, others may take longer.

Can podiatry help if my child keeps rolling their ankles?

Yes. Children who frequently roll their ankles often have underlying stability or biomechanical issues. A sports podiatry assessment can identify the cause and guide strengthening, footwear advice or orthotics if needed to reduce recurrence.

Does My Family Podiatry see children for sports injuries?

Yes. We regularly treat junior athletes from Albany Creek and surrounding North Brisbane suburbs.

Is children’s podiatry covered by Medicare or private health?

Some children may be eligible for Medicare under a Chronic Disease Management plan. Private health rebates may also apply.

Supporting Active Families in Albany Creek

If your child is coming home from sport with pain that is not settling, it is worth getting it checked.

The team at My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek sees junior athletes every week and understands the difference between normal post-sport soreness and something that needs attention.

Book online or call (07) 3088 6116 to arrange an assessment.