Tendonitis-Growth Plate-Ankle Pain

[Quadqueen]

My DD 8, L5, has had ankle pain for quite a while. she complained on and off for a good 6 months before we brought her to the orthopedist in January. He took an x ray of one ankle and said everything was fine. He said "she's growing" and that she's flexible and probably overusing them (Duh). So, DD still has been complaining, on and off since then. She wears neoprene ankle supports on both ankles during practice and the pain doesn't stop her from doing any skills, events, etc. Her coach said she seems fine at practice. But she tells me 10 times a day that her ankles hurt.

So I brought her back to the doctor last week, and he said he would not re-do x rays because he did them in January. He told me to take her for physical therapy.

I did that today and the physical therapist said she has a little tendonitis, and is showing some tenderness at her growth plate in her ankle. She also pointed out that she has only a slight arch in her foot and the beginnings of bunions (I have 2 big bunions and no arch and I'm supposed to wear orthodics...she is me reincarnated!).

She gave me some exercises to do at home to stretch and strengthen the ankles, and we will go back for a couple of sessions so she can work with her.

I am not looking for any kind of medical diagnosis or advice, but I'm wondering if anyone else's child has had a similar situation with their ankles and did they improve??

 

[bogwoppit]

My youngest had very painful ankles, it turned out to be because she had basically flat feet, this caused the feet to roll in and that caused the pain. She started physion for that, but also wore arch supports all the time, that really helped.

Perhaps a second opinion from a different doc or even a podiatrist?

 

[Deleted member D3987]

wow, spot on. ^^^ time to see the podiatrist.

 

[Quadqueen]

Thanks!!! Will do that.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

absolutely agree with that, pronation and supernation can also lead to knee and lower back problems later in life ( my husband has these agrivated by 25 years of rugby!) so orthotic inserts in her shoes should really help to avoid this.

'margo

 

[flipper's fan]

My dd has tendonitis in her ankle. She has seen a podiatrist and a sports medicine specialist. She has had physical therapy twice, a year apart. It was diagnosed with an MRI. The second episode, a year later, was also seen on an MRI, and the doctor compared them and saw that the second episode showed less fluid and irritation than the first. Dd was told that it would likely flare up from time to time, and her best defense is to do the ankle strengthening exercises she learned in physical therapy.

I found it very helpful to talk to two different doctors, and have the benfits of testing and therapy. It improved and she is not afraid when it recurs because she knows what it is and what to do about it.

 

[gym law mom]

I would certainly follow up with a podiatrist that deals with sports related problems. A good insert might solve many of her problems.

 

[gymmomtoo]

Sounds like you agree seeing a podiatrist is a good idea. I hope he/she has some good advice!

 

[Deanna]

Everyone gave really good advice. Do keep us posted on what the podiatrist says.