Juvenile Osteochondroses Nathalie Gaulier, MD Sports Medicine Physician Cook Children s Medical Center Definition General term for disorders that affect one or more ossification centers in children Encompasses traction apophysitis and avascular necrosis Exact etiology unknown Radiographic picture show pattern of fragmentation, collapse, sclerosis and reossification Apophysitis Apophysis - secondary ossification center which acts as an insertion site for a tendon Apophysitis usually develops due to chronic repetitive stress or traction Usually occurs during growth spurts Clinical diagnosis, though imaging may be helpful to rule out other conditions General treatment includes rest, activity modifications, PT and play as symptoms tolerate 1
Osgood-Schlatter s Affects tibial tubercle apophysis Ages 10-14 Up to 30% will have bilateral involvement Usually due to repetitive traction of the patellar tendon Insidious onset, though sometimes triggered by traumatic event Self-limiting process. Treat with activity modification, stretching, NSAIDs Sinding-Larsen-Johannson Affects inferior pole of patella Ages 10-13 Exacerbated by jumping or direct pressure Treat similarly to Osgood-Schlatter s. Can immobilize temporarily if symptoms severe enough 2
Sever s Disease Affects calcaneal apophysis Worse with activity, particularly at the beginning of the season or during growth spurts Ages: 8-12, more common in males Bilateral in 60% Tenderness in calcaneus and at Achilles insertion site. Often with tight heel cords and weakness with dorsiflexion Treatment with rest, ice, activity or shoe modification, heel cushions, heel stretches 3
Iselin s Disease Affects base of the fifth metatarsal where the peroneus brevis attaches Ages 8-14 Usually insidious onset but may start after an ankle injury (inversion) Point TTP at base, may be assoc with swelling, pain with resisted eversion or with passive plantarflexion/inversion Self-limiting Traction Apophyses of the Hip Hip and pelvis are sites of multiple apophyses Ages: 9-15 Apophysitis more subacute presentation, localized pain worsened with activity Avulsion injury usually acute injury usually during forceful contraction during activities such as sprinting, kicking, hurdles, etc. Often athlete will report feeling a pop and have immediate pain/difficulty walking 4
Traction Apophyses of the Hip Iliac Crest: abdominals (internal/external oblique and transversus) ASIS: sartorius AIIS: rectus femoris Greater Trochanter: gluteals Lesser Trochanter: iliopsoas Ischial Tuberosity: hamstring Inferior pubic ramus: adductors 5
Little Leaguer Shoulder Injury to the proximal humeral physis due to repetitive stress Mimics a Salter Harris I fracture Males ages 11-14 Presents with pain with overhead throwing, decreased throwing velocity, accuracy and distance Point TTP over humeral physis, painful ROM Risk Factors Inadequate rest Playing for multiple teams Pitching while fatigued Excessive throwing while not pitching Throwing curveballs and sliders at a young age Showcases Use of radar guns 6
Treatment REST!!! PT and progressive throwing program Correction of pitching mechanics Education on prevention Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis Little Leaguer Elbow Usually due to repeated valgus stress (pitchers) Presents with pain, decreased velocity Typically normal radiographs Acute presentation may indicate avulsion fracture or UCL sprain Treatment rest and PT, work on throwing mechanics 7
Legg-Calvé-Perthes AVN of femoral head Usually occurs in children aged 4-10 4:1 male predilection and up to 20% bilateral Unknown cause Classic presentation is painless limp and limited ROM Treatment usually involves rest, offloading and PT to preserve ROM Younger age of presentation correlates with better prognosis Panner Disease Affects capitellum Thought to be related to lateral compression overuse injury Ages 5-12, more common in males Presents with lateral elbow pain worsened with activity, may have stiffness/decreased ROM Treatment: activity modification, NSAIDs 8
Freiberg Disease Affect the head of the second metatarsal Causes pain in forefoot, exacerbated by weight-bearing and athletic activities Often seen in adolescent females and dancers Bilateral in <10% Treatment: activity modification, metatarsal pads, and well-padded shoes Köhler s Disease Affects tarsal navicular Uncommon. Affects children aged 5-10 Can present with persistent mid-foot pain and antalgic gait Conservative management References Andrews JR, Fleisig GS. Preventing throwing injuries. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998;27:187-188 Binek R, Levinsohn EM, Bersani F, Rubenstein H. Freiberg disease complicating unrelated trauma. Orthopedics. 1988;11(5):753. Greiwe RM, Saifi C, Ahmad CS. Pediatric sports elbow injuries. Clin Sports Med. 2010 Oct;29(4):677-703. Kraft DE. Chronic foot and ankle injuries. In: Care of the Young Athlete, 2nd ed, Harris SS, Anderson SJ (Eds), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics, Park Ridge 2010. p.457 Lyman S, Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Osinski ED. Effect of pitch type, pitch count, and pitching mechanics on risk of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2002 Jul-Aug;30(4):463-8. Madden, Putukian, et al. Netter s Sports Medicine. Philadelphia: Saunders. 2010 Weinstein SL. Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome. In: Lovell and Winter's Pediatric Orthopaedics, 6th ed, Morrisy RT, Weinstein SL (Eds), Lippincott 9