Traction Apophysitis
Growing Pains in Active Kids

Osgood–Schlatter Disease (OSD) • Sinding–Larsen–Johansson (SLJ) • Sever’s Disease (SD)

Get pain-free. Stay in the game. The Sozo way.

All three are traction apophysitis, meaning overuse inflammation at tendon growth-point junctions, especially during growth spurts in athletic youngsters.

Osgood–Schlatter Disease (OSD)

• Affects the tibial tuberosity (bump below the knee).
• Common in 10–16 year-olds playing jumping or running sports.
• Symptoms: swelling, pain when kneeling, discomfort during sprinting or stair climbing.
• Typically resolves with growth, but can last months or even years

Sinding–Larsen–Johansson Syndrome

• Targets the INFERIOR (lower) pole of the kneecap, like a cousin of Osgood–Schlatter.
• Seen in 10–14 year-olds.
• Symptoms: pain and swelling at the lower kneecap, worsened by jumping or squatting.

Sever’s Disease

• Impacts the heel’s growth plate where the Achilles tendon attaches.
• Affects active pre-teens (~10–11 years) in jumping sports.
• Symptoms: heel pain, tenderness, especially after activity.

The Problem with “Wait and See”

Traditionally, these conditions are managed by rest, ice, NSAIDs, and physiotherapy. Unfortunately, this can lead to:

  • Long recovery times (months to years)
  • Missed sports, reduced confidence

  • “It’ll sort itself out” isn’t helpful when a child is sidelined

The Sozo Approach to Apophysitis

In summary…. the painful area must be Soothed, Stretched and Strengthened in that order. To do that, you will be encouraged to:

  • Perform daily massage of the muscles attached to the tendon that is painful. This is focused on easing the tension where tendons meet the growing bones

  • Carry out gentle, targeted stretches of the thigh and calf muscles, supervised by our Sozo MSK Rehab Team.

  • Modify your involvement in sports participation — We will guide you on what your child can keep doing safely

  • Build in specific strengthening exercises that support return to play and prevention of further damage.

A short, parent-supervised routine you can do together at home. No special equipment. No expensive therapy sessions. Just smart, daily consistency — and real results.

a photo of a children sports team showing how fun it is and important for children to compete in sports and remain active

What Results Can You Expect?

Children we treat frequently report:

  • Return to pain-free sport within three weeks with Osgood–Schlatter Disease

  • Improvement in daily pain levels with Sever’s disease by around two weeks.

  • Very high success rate – reported in excess of 95% children treated.

Regular massage alongside targeted stretching has been shown to prevent recurrence until skeletal maturity, when apophysitis is no longer an issue

Your Next Steps

At Sozo Clinic, We’ll Help to:

  • Confirm your child’s diagnosis
  • Teach you the Sozo Apophysitis System — simply and clearly
  • Monitor progress
  • Keep your child active (and confident!) during recovery
  • Set up a long-term prevention plan for growing athletes
Child around 10 or 11 years old playing tennis. A common sport to see children with shoulder or elbow pain often due to poor technique

Let’s get your child back on their feet — safely, quickly, and confidently.

If your child is struggling with activity-related knee or heel pain, don’t wait months for things to settle. With the right support, recovery can start today.

kids playing basketball a common sport for osgood schlatter or severs disease