APOPHYSEAL INJURIES IN THE YOUNG ATHLETE

Apophyseal injuries, which are unique in the adolescent athlete, cause inflammation at the site of a major tendinous insertion onto a growin g bony prominence. These injuries typically occur in active adolescent s between the ages of eight and 15 years and usually present as periar ticular pain associated with growth, skeletal immaturity, repetitive m icrotrauma and muscle-tendon imbalance. Common apophyseal injuries, an d their sites, include Sever's disease (posterior calcaneus), Osgood-S chlatter disease (tibial tuberosity), Sindig-Larsen-Johansson syndrome (inferior patella), medial epicondylitis (humeral medial epicondyle) and apophysitis of the hip (iliac crest, ischial tuberosity). Conserva tive therapy, including rest, ice, compression, elevation, nonsteroida l anti-inflammatory agents, modification of the athlete's activity lev el and exercises for increased flexibility and strengthening, is usual ly effective.