Physio for 12 yr old leg pain

[Farageisafraud]

My 12 yr old son - generally sporty and active, usually plays football at least 3 times a week, is complaining about leg pain, just below the knee. From people's experience is this the sort of thing you would get physio appointment via NHS for or would you have to go private? Just looking for diagnosis really and idea on what type of exercises he needs (in addition to obvious solution of rest!).

Have you been to the GP? My DD was referred by GP to paeds physio at the local hospital as she gets muscle pains due to Tourette’s

Have a google of Osgood Schlatters. Affects some teenagers especially those who are sporty

My 12 year old is also really sporty and had a sore leg twice last year. Both from football related incidents. I took him to a private physio both times. He’s brilliant and able to pinpoint where and what it is. Does lots of massage and gives excercises to do.
There’s no way here in Ireland we could wait for a gp route. Would take months!
Weeks to get an appointment and months and months for public physio. It’s just not an option.
Private is 60 quid well spent.

I would pay for a good sports physio personally. I have always found NHS physio very conservative (rest, stretch). They never recommend the gym-based weights and exercises you need to build muscle to prevent recurrence.

I completely agree with pps - NHS will be a long wait, and won’t address the problem adequately. See a private sports physio. It could be a number of things but pain just beneath the knee could be a warning sign of a tendon problem. You need to get balance, knee stability and strength assessed.

Have you asked your son to stand on one leg with his eyes shut and balance - can he do it? As kids grow, their centre of gravity changes and often balance fails to keep up - balance is important in avoiding strain and injury so definitely check this.

I think because of his age he would need to see a children's physio - is he showing any signs of growth/going through puberty?

An adult or sports specialist physio might not have the same understanding of growth and development issues that this could be related to.

Thanks all for advice, aware of Osgood Schlatters as one of his teammates has it. He's definitely at onset of puberty and growing quite a bit which could be factor. Will try NHS via GP but will also definitely investigate private route and get recommendations from other parents including those of the boy with Osgood Schlatters.