In this blog post, CRYSC Head Athletic Trainer Julie Graves helps you understand growth plate injuries and overuse in young athletes. From recognizing signs of injury and prevention, the blog below will assist you through every part of the healing process. By emphasizing pain-free progressions and a gradual return to play, this is your roadmap to a resilient and sustainable recovery.
UCHealth + CU Sports Medicine and Orthopedics has a variety of different locations to help your child get back to the soccer field at 100%. If this is something you think your child may be dealing with, please reach out to our Head Athletic Trainer, Julie Graves at [email protected], for assistance. Below is the at-home rehab program for wrist and hand injuries for 13U-19U players.
Understanding Growth Plate Injuries & Overuse in Young Athletes
As we reach the middle of the season, many of our players are putting in extra effort at practices and games — and that’s something to celebrate! But growing bodies come with unique risks, especially when it comes to growth plate injuries and overuse issues.
What Are Growth Plates?
Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage at the ends of children’s bones. They are softer and more vulnerable than adult bone, making them more likely to be injured. Most growth plates close by late adolescence, but until then, they are a common site of sports-related injuries.
Signs of Growth Plate Injuries
Parents should watch for: persistent pain near joints (especially knees, ankles, wrists), swelling or tenderness, difficulty bearing weight, limping or favoring one side, and pain that worsens with activity but improves with rest. If these symptoms appear, it’s important to see a medical professional rather than encouraging kids to “push through.”
The Problem of Overuse
Unlike a sudden sprain or break, overuse injuries happen gradually. Playing soccer year-round, overlapping school and club teams, or skipping rest days can put too much stress on growing bones and joints. Common overuse conditions include Sever’s Disease (heel pain in growing athletes), Osgood-Schlatter Disease (knee pain from repetitive jumping/running), and stress fractures.
Prevention Tips for Parents
You can help reduce risks by encouraging variety (multiple sports instead of just soccer), scheduling rest days (at least one per week and longer breaks between seasons), supporting proper warm-up and cool-down routines, focusing on well-fitted soccer cleats, and teaching kids to speak up about pain early.
The Bottom Line
Youth sports should be about fun, growth, and long-term health. By keeping an eye on growth plate health and preventing overuse, we can help our young athletes stay strong and safe — both this season and for many more to come.
Thank you for supporting your player’s journey both on and off the field!
Stay healthy!
Find out more about the CRYSC Sports Medicine Program by visiting our website. If you would like more information on natural solutions and the athlete, please don’t hesitate to reach out to CRYSC’s Head Athletic Trainer, Julie Graves, at [email protected].
