Glossary
Achilles tendon: large tendon at the back of the ankle which connects the calf muscles to the calcaneus (heel bone). Insertion of the tendon is the site of pain and swelling in Sever’s disease. It is also a common injury location in runners.
Adolescent knee pain: a generic term used to describe pain associated with teenagers. Can have a wide range of actual diagnoses
Apophysitis: an inflammation of the insertion point of a tendon into the soft bone of the growth zone of a teenager’s long bone. Osgood-Schlatters, Sever’s and Sinding-Larsen-Johannsen, and Little leaguer’s elbow are all manifestations of this injury.
Apophysitis of hip: growth-related overuse injury affecting the hip or groin affecting adolescents
Chondropathies: Injuries or conditions affecting the cartilage of a joint
Epiphysitis: site of bone growth during secondary growth spurts (adolescence). Zone of bone expansion which is vulnerable until fully-formed/hardened at skeletal maturity
Growing pains: term used to describe pain associated with growth spurts. The actual mechanism of any pain remains controversial.
Juvenile osteochondrosis
Little Leaguer’s elbow: growth-related overuse injury affecting the inner elbow affecting adolescents
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease/ syndrome: growth-related overuse injury of the knee affecting adolescents typically aged 11-14 years
Osteochondritis:
Osteochondropathy: injuries or conditions affecting both bone and cartilage layers
Overuse injuries: caused by repetitive micro-trauma – niggles that often develop into a more serious injury. Faulty biomechanics is a major factor along with high repetition.
Patella tendon: large tendon at the front of the knee that connects the quadriceps muscle to the tibia (shin bone). See Tibial tubercle.
Sever’s disease: growth-related overuse injury of the heel affecting younger adolescents typically aged 9-12 years
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome: growth-related overuse injury affecting the tip of the patella (knee cap) affecting adolescents typically aged 12-15 years
Tibial tubercle: prominent bony lump at the lower-front of the knee where the quadriceps/patella tendon inserts. It is also the site of pain and swelling in Osgood-Schlatter’s disease.