Sports Injuries in Children

Expert Assessment & Treatment for Young Athletes

Helping Children Stay Active, Recover Well & Enjoy The Sports They Love

Sport plays an important role in childhood.

Whether your child enjoys football, rugby, dance, gymnastics, athletics, tennis or simply being active with friends, movement supports physical health, confidence, resilience and overall wellbeing.

As children grow, their bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments are constantly developing. Combined with increasing training loads and sporting demands, this can sometimes lead to pain or injury.

At Callen Olive, we regularly assess young athletes experiencing foot, ankle and lower limb pain. Our goal isn't simply to treat an injury—it's to understand why it has developed, support recovery and help children return to the activities they love with comfort and confidence.

At A Glance

Your child may benefit from an assessment if they have:

• Foot, heel or ankle pain during sport
• Knee pain or shin pain
• Recurrent ankle sprains
• Pain that returns after activity
• Limping after training or matches
• Frequent injuries
• Tired or aching legs
• Difficulty keeping up with teammates
• Pain affecting sport or everyday activities

Why Do Sports Injuries Develop?

Children aren't simply smaller adults.

Their bodies are constantly growing and adapting, which means bones, muscles and tendons don't always develop at the same rate.

Several factors may contribute to injury, including:

• Growth spurts
• Rapid increases in training
• Playing multiple sports
• Repetitive loading
• Reduced recovery time
• Foot biomechanics
• Hypermobility
• Previous injuries
• Muscle weakness or imbalance
• Footwear
• Changes in playing surfaces

Often, several of these factors combine to place extra stress on the growing body.

Common Sports Injuries We See

We regularly assess children experiencing:

• Children's Heel Pain (Sever's Disease)
• Knee Pain
• Shin Splints
• Ankle Pain & Instability
• Foot Pain
• Hypermobility-related pain
• Achilles pain
• Forefoot pain
• Recurrent lower limb pain
• Running-related injuries
• Overuse injuries

Understanding why these symptoms have developed helps us recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Signs Your Child May Benefit From Assessment

You may notice your child:

• Complains of pain during or after sport
• Begins limping after activity
• Frequently sprains an ankle
• Avoids training or matches
• Says their legs feel tired or achy
• Has become less confident during sport
• Takes longer to recover after activity
• Experiences recurring injuries
• Struggles to keep up with teammates

Pain shouldn't simply be accepted as a normal part of being active.

Your Child's Assessment

Every assessment begins with understanding your child's symptoms, sporting activities and movement patterns.

We'll discuss:

• Their sporting participation
• Training schedule
• Previous injuries
• Growth and development
• Recovery between activities
• Their goals for returning to sport

Assessment may include:

• Clinical examination
• Foot posture assessment
• Lower limb alignment
• Biomechanical assessment
• OptoGait Gait Analysis
• Walking and running assessment
• Mobility and flexibility testing
• Functional movement assessment
• Footwear assessment

This allows us to identify why symptoms have developed and create a personalised treatment plan.

Your Child's Personalised Treatment Plan

Treatment is always tailored to your child's symptoms, age, sporting demands and goals.

Recommendations may include:

• Activity modification
• Rehabilitation exercises
• Strengthening programmes
• Flexibility exercises
• Biomechanical assessment
• OptoGait Gait Analysis
• Footwear advice
• Load management
• Custom Foot Orthotics where clinically appropriate

Our aim is always to reduce pain whilst helping children remain as active as possible throughout their recovery.

Helping Young Athletes Perform At Their Best

Sport is about far more than competition.

It helps children build:

• Confidence
• Friendships
• Resilience
• Teamwork
• Physical fitness
• Mental wellbeing
• Lifelong healthy habits

Helping children recover well today supports healthier movement for years to come.

When Should You Seek Professional Advice?

We recommend arranging an assessment if your child:

• Has pain lasting more than two weeks.
• Repeatedly develops the same injury.
• Is limping after activity.
• Is avoiding sport because of pain.
• Frequently sprains an ankle.
• Experiences pain that keeps returning.
• Has pain affecting everyday activities.

Early assessment often leads to quicker recovery and helps reduce the risk of recurring injuries.

Pricing

Every child is different, which is why every assessment is tailored to their individual needs.

Following your appointment, your podiatrist will explain their findings and discuss the most appropriate treatment options.

Children's New Patient Biomechanics Assessment – £180

Children's New Patient Biomechanics Assessment with Principal Podiatrist – £225

If you're unsure which appointment is most appropriate, our Patient Care Team will be happy to help.

Call us on 0333 305 8347.

Why Patients Choose Callen Olive

Your feet deserve more than treatment.

At Callen Olive, we believe exceptional podiatry is about far more than relieving pain.

It's about understanding how your feet affect your comfort, confidence and the way you move through life.

Every person who walks through our doors has different goals, which is why every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and ambitions.

Because no two people — or feet — are the same.

Expert Care. Personally Delivered.

We combine specialist clinical expertise, advanced technology and genuinely personalised care to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

From your first appointment, you'll understand what's causing your symptoms, the treatment options available and how we'll support you every step of the way.

Why Patients Trust Callen Olive

• Specialist podiatry team
• Personalised treatment plans
• Advanced technology
• Evidence-based care
• Award-winning patient experience
• Trusted by thousands of patients every year

More Than A Podiatry Appointment

Exceptional care isn't just about clinical expertise.

It's about feeling listened to, understood and supported from the moment you arrive until long after your treatment has finished.

Because that's what great care should feel like.

We Care.

It's more than our promise.

It's how we listen, how we explain, how we treat and how we support every patient who places their trust in us.

Because helping you move with comfort, confidence and ease is why Callen Olive exists.

Healthy Feet. Healthy Body. Healthy Mind.

Related Conditions

• Children's Heel Pain
• Growing Pains
• Hypermobility
• Knee Pain
• Shin Splints
• Ankle Instability

Related Treatments

• Children's Biomechanical Assessment
• OptoGait Gait Analysis
• Custom Foot Orthotics
• Rehabilitation Programmes
• Footwear Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for children to experience pain after sport?

Some muscle soreness after activity can be normal, but persistent, recurring or activity-limiting pain should always be assessed.

Can biomechanics contribute to sports injuries?

Yes. The way a child's feet and lower limbs move can influence how forces travel through the body and contribute to certain injuries.

Can children get overuse injuries?

Yes. Rapid growth, increased training, playing multiple sports and insufficient recovery can all contribute to overuse injuries in young athletes.

Does my child need to stop playing sport?

Not usually. In many cases, children can continue participating with appropriate treatment, activity modification and temporary adjustments to training.

Will my child need orthotics?

Not necessarily. Custom Foot Orthotics are only recommended when a thorough assessment suggests they're likely to improve comfort, function or reduce excessive loading.

Can sports injuries affect confidence?

Absolutely. Ongoing pain and repeated injuries can affect confidence, enjoyment and willingness to take part in sport.

How can I reduce my child's risk of injury?

Appropriate footwear, gradual increases in training, good recovery, strength and flexibility work, and early assessment of pain can all help reduce injury risk.

Helping Young Athletes Stay Active

Whether your child is experiencing recurring injuries, struggling with pain during sport or simply wants to move with greater comfort and confidence, we're here to help.

Our experienced podiatrists provide expert assessments, personalised treatment plans and evidence-based rehabilitation to help young athletes recover well and continue enjoying the sports they love.

Book your child's Sports Injury Assessment today.