Helping Young Athletes Recover, Grow Stronger & Return to the Sports They Love
Whether your child has sustained an injury playing football, rugby, hockey or gymnastics, is experiencing knee or heel pain during a growth spurt, or is struggling to return to sport after an injury, getting the right advice and treatment is important.
At Edinburgh Sports + Spinal Physiotherapy, we provide specialist sports physiotherapy for children and teenagers, helping young athletes recover from injuries, manage growth-related conditions and return to physical activity with confidence.
Led by Peter Dery, Specialist Paediatric & Sports Physiotherapist, our approach combines thorough assessment, age-appropriate rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and practical guidance for parents and young athletes.
We understand that children are not simply smaller adults. Their bodies are growing, their sporting demands are changing and their rehabilitation needs to reflect their stage of physical development.
Our goal is to help young people stay active, recover confidently and enjoy their sport.
Knee Pain & Growth-Related Knee Conditions
Knee pain is a common reason for children and teenagers to seek sports physiotherapy.
During periods of growth, young athletes may experience pain around the knee associated with repetitive jumping, running, kicking or changes in training load.
We assess and manage a range of knee conditions, including:
Osgood-Schlatter disease – Growth-related pain and tenderness below the kneecap, often associated with running, jumping and kicking sports.
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome – Pain around the lower part of the kneecap, commonly experienced by active adolescents.
Patellofemoral pain – Discomfort around or behind the kneecap, often aggravated by running, squatting or stairs.
Patellar instability – Assessment and rehabilitation following kneecap dislocation or episodes of instability.
ACL and ligament injuries – Specialist assessment and rehabilitation following knee ligament injuries, including pre- and post-operative rehabilitation when appropriate.
Meniscal injuries – Assessment, rehabilitation and referral for further investigation where indicated.
Our approach focuses on understanding the underlying problem, managing sporting demands and progressively rebuilding the strength and function required for activity.
Heel Pain, Ankle Injuries & Lower-Limb Conditions
Foot, ankle and heel pain can affect young athletes, particularly during periods of rapid growth or increased sporting activity.
Common conditions include:
Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) – A common cause of growth-related heel pain in active children.
Ankle sprains – Rehabilitation following ligament injuries, with a focus on movement, strength, balance and returning to sport.
Achilles and calf pain – Assessment of symptoms associated with running, jumping or changes in activity.
Shin pain – Assessment of running-related lower-leg discomfort, including consideration of bone stress injuries where appropriate.
Foot and ankle overuse injuries – Individualised management of pain and symptoms associated with repetitive loading.
Treatment may include activity modification, progressive strengthening, balance exercises and guidance on returning to sport.
Hip, Groin & Thigh Pain
Hip and groin pain in young athletes requires careful assessment, particularly during growth.
We assess sporting injuries involving the hip, groin, thigh and surrounding muscles, including muscle strains and potential growth-related conditions.
Where symptoms suggest a condition requiring medical investigation, we arrange or recommend appropriate onward referral.
Back Pain in Young Athletes
Back pain can develop in young people who participate in sports involving repetitive extension, rotation, impact or heavy training demands.
Our assessment considers movement, sporting activity, strength, training patterns and whether further investigation may be appropriate.
We aim to identify contributing factors and provide a suitable rehabilitation plan while recognising when medical review is required.
Shoulder, Elbow & Upper-Limb Injuries
Upper-limb sporting injuries may occur through contact, falls, repetitive throwing or racket sports.
We assess and rehabilitate suitable shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries, with particular consideration given to the developing skeleton and demands of each sport.
Where a suspected fracture, growth-plate injury or other significant condition is present, appropriate medical assessment is prioritised.
Supporting Young Athletes Through Injury, Growth & Development
Children and adolescents participate in an increasingly wide range of sporting activities, from school PE and recreational clubs to competitive academy sport.
As young athletes grow and develop, their bodies respond differently to physical stress compared with adults.
Rapid growth, changes in strength and coordination, increases in training volume and repetitive sporting movements can contribute to injuries and discomfort.
Some injuries also affect developing growth plates or areas where tendons attach to growing bones, meaning assessment and rehabilitation need to consider skeletal maturity as well as sporting demands.
At ESS, we provide individualised assessment and rehabilitation for children and adolescents, helping them understand their injury while developing appropriate strength, movement skills and confidence.
We commonly support young people participating in:
Football and rugby
Hockey and netball
Cricket and tennis
Athletics and running
Gymnastics and dance
Basketball and other court sports
School PE, recreational sport and general physical activity
Whether your child participates for enjoyment or competes at a high level, we tailor rehabilitation to their age, injury, activity and individual goals.
Understanding Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Sever’s Disease & Adolescent Sports Injuries
Growth-related pain is a common concern among parents of active children and teenagers.
During growth, areas where tendons attach to developing bones can become sensitive to repetitive sporting loads.
Two commonly encountered conditions are:
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Usually causes pain and tenderness just below the kneecap. Symptoms can be aggravated by running, jumping, squatting and kneeling.
Sever’s Disease
Typically causes pain around the back or underside of the heel, particularly during running and jumping activities.
Although these conditions often improve as the young athlete matures, symptoms can affect confidence, sporting participation and everyday activity.
Physiotherapy may help by providing:
A clear explanation of the condition
Practical advice on managing symptoms
Guidance on sporting activity and training loads
Appropriate strength and flexibility exercises
Strategies for gradually increasing activity
Advice for parents and coaches
Persistent pain should not automatically be dismissed as growing pains. A proper assessment can help establish whether symptoms are consistent with a growth-related condition or whether further investigation is needed.
Supporting Young People Through Training, Competition & Recovery
Young athletes often balance school sport, club training, competitions and additional physical activities.
For some, this can mean training or competing several times each week, particularly when participating in more than one sport.
Our physiotherapy service considers this wider sporting schedule rather than focusing solely on the injured area.
We can help families navigate:
Managing training loads during growth
Returning to sport after an injury
Developing age-appropriate strength and conditioning
Addressing recurring sporting pain
Preparing for running, jumping and change-of-direction demands
Managing the transition between rehabilitation and regular training
We recognise the importance of maintaining physical activity, social connections and enjoyment of sport wherever this is safe and appropriate.
Assess. Understand. Rehabilitate. Return to Sport.
Every young athlete is different.
At ESS, we tailor rehabilitation to the child’s injury, stage of development, sporting commitments and personal goals.
1. Comprehensive Assessment
We begin by listening to your child’s concerns and understanding their sporting activities, symptoms and injury history.
With appropriate involvement from a parent or guardian, Peter assesses the affected area and considers relevant factors such as:
Age and stage of physical development
Injury mechanism and symptom history
Joint movement and muscle strength
Balance, stability and coordination
Functional and sporting movement
Training frequency and recent changes in activity
School, club and competition commitments
Where necessary, we recommend further medical investigation or specialist referral.
2. A Personalised Rehabilitation Programme
Following assessment, we develop an age-appropriate rehabilitation programme tailored to your child’s needs.
Treatment may include:
Progressive strengthening exercises
Balance and movement-control activities
Flexibility and mobility exercises where appropriate
Running, jumping and landing retraining
Sport-specific rehabilitation
Advice on training loads and recovery
Education and reassurance for the young athlete and their family
Our approach emphasises active rehabilitation, helping young people develop the physical skills needed for their sport.
3. Strength, Movement & Confidence
Injuries can affect much more than physical fitness.
Young athletes may become worried about reinjury, frustrated at missing training or concerned about falling behind their teammates.
We aim to make rehabilitation engaging, achievable and supportive, helping children understand their progress while rebuilding confidence.
Exercises are adapted to their age, ability and interests, with achievable goals and gradual progression.
4. A Safe, Progressive Return to Sport
Returning to sport is not simply about being pain-free.
Depending on the injury, recovery may require progressive exposure to running, jumping, changes of direction, contact activities or sport-specific skills.
We consider strength, movement, symptoms, confidence and sporting demands when helping young athletes progress towards training and competition.
Where appropriate, and with suitable consent, we can communicate with parents, coaches and other healthcare professionals to support a coordinated return-to-sport plan.
The aim is to help young athletes return prepared, confident and ready for the demands of their sport.
Peter Dery
Specialist Paediatric, ACL (Knee) & Sports Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy | BSc (Hons) Anatomical Science | MCSP | HCPC Registered
Peter is an experienced sports physiotherapist with a specialist interest in treating children and adolescents with sporting injuries, alongside ACL and complex knee rehabilitation.
His background includes experience within the NHS, professional sport and school-based sports physiotherapy.
Peter has previously worked with Sale Sharks, Hunslet RLFC and Cheshire Cricket, developing experience supporting athletes with injury assessment, rehabilitation and return-to-sport preparation.
He also provided physiotherapy support at Stockport Grammar School, treating young athletes from under-10 to under-18 age groups across sports including rugby, football, cricket, hockey and netball.
This experience has helped Peter develop a strong understanding of the challenges associated with sporting injuries during childhood and adolescence, including growth-related conditions, training demands and the importance of appropriate rehabilitation.
Peter combines comprehensive assessment with progressive exercise rehabilitation and practical education, helping young athletes and their families understand the injury and work towards a confident return to activity.
What age can children receive sports physiotherapy?
Sports physiotherapy can be appropriate for children and teenagers experiencing musculoskeletal pain or sporting injuries.
The suitability of treatment depends on the child’s age, symptoms and individual needs. If you’re unsure whether physiotherapy is appropriate, our team can advise before booking.
Does my child need a GP referral to see a sports physiotherapist?
No. You can book a private sports physiotherapy appointment directly with ESS without a GP referral.
However, some injuries or symptoms require medical assessment or investigation. Your physiotherapist will recommend this when appropriate.
Can physiotherapy help with Osgood-Schlatter disease?
Yes. Physiotherapy can help young athletes manage symptoms associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Treatment commonly includes education, appropriate activity modification, progressive strengthening and guidance on sporting participation.
Can my child continue playing sport with Sever’s disease?
In some cases, children can remain active with suitable adjustments to training intensity, frequency and activity.
The most appropriate approach depends on symptom severity and clinical assessment. Continuing to play through significant pain or altered movement may not be advisable.
Does my child need to stop sport completely if they have knee pain?
Not necessarily. Some conditions can be managed through adjustments to training loads and a targeted rehabilitation programme.
However, acute injuries, significant swelling, instability, persistent limping or suspected bone and growth-plate injuries may require stopping sport and obtaining further assessment.
Can Peter Dery help with ACL injuries in teenagers?
Yes. Peter provides ACL and complex knee injury rehabilitation, including assessment and rehabilitation for adolescent athletes.
ACL injuries in growing athletes require particular consideration of skeletal maturity, associated injuries and specialist medical input. Rehabilitation is individualised and coordinated with surgical or medical advice where relevant.
Is strength training safe for children and teenagers?
Appropriately supervised and age-appropriate strength training is generally safe and can help young athletes develop strength, coordination and confidence.
Training should be tailored to the child’s physical development, technique and experience, rather than simply copying an adult gym programme.
Can physiotherapy help my child return to football, rugby or hockey after an injury?
Yes. Physiotherapy can support a progressive return to sport following many common musculoskeletal injuries.
Rehabilitation may involve developing strength, balance, running, jumping, landing and sport-specific movement skills before returning to full training or competition.
Should I be concerned if my child has persistent pain during sport?
Pain that persists, worsens, repeatedly causes limping or interferes with normal activities should be assessed.
Urgent medical assessment may be needed following a significant injury, an inability to bear weight, suspected fracture, or when pain is accompanied by fever or a child who appears generally unwell.
Can a parent attend the physiotherapy appointment?
Yes. We welcome appropriate parent or guardian involvement in appointments for children and young people.
We explain assessments and treatment in an age-appropriate way, obtain appropriate consent and ensure that young patients are involved in decisions about their care.
What should my child wear or bring to the appointment?
Comfortable sports clothing that allows movement and access to the affected area is recommended.
It can also be helpful to bring relevant medical letters, scan reports, details of previous treatment and information about your child’s sporting schedule.
Where can I book children’s sports physiotherapy in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Sports + Spinal Physiotherapy provides specialist paediatric and adolescent sports physiotherapy with Peter Dery.
Our clinics are located in Comely Bank and Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. Please check Peter’s available appointment locations when booking.
Sports injuries can be frustrating and worrying for young athletes and their families.
Whether your child is experiencing growth-related knee pain, recovering from an ankle injury or working towards returning to competitive sport, we provide individualised advice and rehabilitation to support their recovery.
At Edinburgh Sports + Spinal Physiotherapy, our focus is on helping young people recover, build confidence and enjoy being active.
Book a Paediatric Sports Physiotherapy Assessment with Peter Dery
Lauriston Place Clinic
115 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9JG
Telephone: 0131 235 2354
