[Overuse injury syndromes in children and adolescents]

More and more children participate in sports competitions. The main difference between children and adults is that the former still grow and develop. An immature musculoskeletal system is less able to cope with repetitive biomechanical stress. Sites of overuse injury are the sites of rapid growth: epiphysis, apophysis, and growth plates. Overuse injuries in children most commonly affect the cartilage where it meets with the tendons (nonarticular chondrosis), cartilage and bone at the joints surfaces (primary and secondary osteochondrosis), or the bone and its physis (stress fractures). The most characteristic overuse injuries in children are physeal stress fracture and osteochondrosis. The basic diagnostic and treatment principles in children greatly correspond to those in adults. The prevention of overuse injuries in children is very important. To minimise the injuries, children should be encouraged to limit the length of exercise, use high-quality equipment properly, cross train, and participate in conditioning programs to develop strength and flexibility.