Understanding Knee Pain in Young Athletes – And How to Treat It the Right Way
Knee pain is one of the most common injuries we see in young athletes. Whether they play football, netball, rugby, athletics, or dance, many kids and teenagers experience knee discomfort that can threaten their performance, confidence, and love for their sport.
But here’s the good news: most knee pain in youth sport is treatable, manageable, and preventable — and doesn’t have to lead to missed game time or long periods on the sidelines.
At Elite Physiotherapy, we help young athletes stay active, recover faster, and return to their sport stronger than before — often with minimal or no time away from training or competition.
Common Causes of Knee Pain in Young Athletes
Knee pain can come from a range of sources, including:
- Osgood-Schlatter’s disease
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)
- Tendon-related issues (like patellar tendinopathy)
- Growth-related pain during adolescence
- Overuse and biomechanical overload
Often, the pain is the result of repetitive strain, sudden training spikes, or compensations elsewhere in the body (like poor hip or ankle mobility).
Why Rest Alone Isn’t the Answer
A common approach to knee pain is simply rest — but this only masks the symptoms. Once the athlete returns to sport, the pain often comes back.
At Elite Physiotherapy, we take a smarter, more progressive approach based on advanced movement assessment and sport-specific rehab planning.
Our 3-Step Approach to Treating Knee Pain
We focus on a system that empowers young athletes to recover quickly and return to play with confidence:
1. Find the Root Cause
Knee pain often isn’t just a “knee issue.” We assess how the entire body moves — from the hips and core to the feet — to identify the true source of the problem. This allows us to treat the cause, not just the symptoms.
2. Keep Them Active Through Rehab
We believe in keeping athletes moving safely through rehab, not shutting them down. This means:
- Modifying activity, not stopping it
- Maintaining fitness and strength
- Progressively reintroducing sport-specific movements
Our goal is to reduce pain and support performance — without unnecessary time off.
3. Build a Stronger, Smarter Return to Sport
Once pain is under control, we shift focus to:
- Strength, speed, and power development
- Confidence and control in movement
- Sport-specific return-to-play testing
- Education on injury prevention and load management
We don’t just want your child pain-free — we want them performing better than ever.
Every Athlete Is Unique — So Is Every Plan
No two athletes are the same, and no two knee injuries should be treated the same. At Elite Physiotherapy, we tailor every rehab plan to the individual’s age, sport, training schedule, and goals.
Don’t Wait — Take Action Early
Knee pain isn’t something young athletes should just “push through” or ignore. Early intervention leads to faster recovery, better outcomes, and fewer setbacks.
✅ Is your child or player struggling with knee pain?
✅ Want to avoid missed games and time on the sidelines?
✅ Looking for expert care that supports both recovery and performance?
We can help.
📲 Book an assessment at elitephysio.com.au or get in touch with our team to learn more about how we support young athletes through smart, personalised physiotherapy.
Elite Physiotherapy – Helping young athletes stay in the game, pain-free and performance-ready.
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