By the end of December, it will have been 3 months since he started having trouble. My son is not yet 12, but tall by normal standards. I had severe growth pains, but never OS, that I am aware of. I'm anticipating we will be sitting out some time during the spring, I just see no way around it. We have had the same experience with ineffective play and limping. Think our next step is physical therapy, many have mentioned that. We may do it at home, in addition to stretching. I know he will recover.

Thanks for the advice, and sharing your experience.

jimulon6 wrote:By the end of December, it will have been 3 months since he started having trouble. My son is not yet 12, but tall by normal standards. I had severe growth pains, but never OS, that I am aware of. I'm anticipating we will be sitting out some time during the spring, I just see no way around it. We have had the same experience with ineffective play and limping. Think our next step is physical therapy, many have mentioned that. We may do it at home, in addition to stretching. I know he will recover.

Thanks for the advice, and sharing your experience.

Is your son the tall forward on Hurst,just asking because I did notice him doing different stretching and warm ups before the game,and noticed limping when we played him, and got to give him props because even at 50 to 75% he is still a force to be reckoned with.

That is my son, thank you for the nice words. When I was his age I was short and tubby and only played goalie or "fullback". I never scored one goal. He's scored hundreds, and sometimes I get pretty envious of that!

I'm always proud of him, but the way he has been gutting it out, his desire to play despite being in noticeable discomfort, has me admiring his toughness as much as how many goals he may score. He is growing fast and has struggled physically for over a year, a situation I'm sure many parents of athletes can relate to. I hold him out, let him play a little or practice a little, hold him out some more....

A lot of life lessons there, for him, and for me.

Thanks woodwork, I'm gonna believe for that. I never had any doubt he would eventually be fine, but the waiting is hard.

To date, my son has been playing basketball tournaments pretty much every weekend for the last 4 or 5 weeks. We have not been to a soccer practice, largely due to his basketball schedule, in several weeks. We are playing 3-6 games every Saturday and Sunday. He is doing well, but not spectacular (which is what I'm used seeing to when he's 100% ). He has unbelievable heart, and that is what is carrying him. He is maybe at 75% physically, due to both the OS and just general, fast growing goofiness. He is starting to form the oft described bony knot below his knee. As I understand it the body is forming new bone to help keep the tendon from tearing. It isn't visible but I can feel it. It is tender to the touch.

We stopped using the Oscon, and I decided to go the homeopathic route, so we are taking the advice of the staff at my local natural food and supplement store. He is taking high potency fish oil, Vitamin B, Calcium/ Magnesium, Tumeric, and some Protoleic Enzymes for post game headaches. We also use a combo of topical creams before and after games and on off days. One is an aromatherapy roll-on mixture we found on a california soccer forum website, the other is an Arnica based cream from the natural store. I don't know if bb is getting used to the discomfort or if his knee is actually benefitting from the bombardment of stuff he is taking, but he says he doesn't feel much pain until after games. That is a big improvement. He's moving well on the court, but again, I don't expect him to be 100 % for a while, but God can do anything. We also try to stretch him daily, at least once, but twice a day if I can get him to stay awake! He eats alot and sleeps a whole lot right now, which verifies my thoughts about his heavy growth. He is tall, but now his chest his barreling out, and he's getting BIG.

I know some of you think I'm a nut for doing all the things I have posted about for my boy. You may be right. But, you do everything you can for your kids to help them succeed. I have no shame. He loves sports, and his teammates, and our lifestyle together. It is who we are. it is what we do. And so, we do it. if anyone wants more specific info on the things we're doing PM me, I'd be happy to offer whatever help I can, as so many have done the same for me.

On a side note, bb has his first "whiz quiz" competition today, where 2 gaggles of nerds from different schools get together and try to outsmart each other, I guess. Never been to one. Yes, my son is a nerd. And I couldn't be happier.

Good luck at your upcoming tourneys! We will play the Texas Winter Classic next weekend. I'm 6'10", so I 'm easy to spot. If you're out there and want to talk in person about any of this, be happy to oblige. Again, thank you so much to those of you who have shared your experiences with me/us. It has meant alot these last few months.

Jim

Hello everyone,

Okay, so BB is 4 months into his first, and I pray only, bout with OS. We played the Texas Winter Classic 2 weeks ago, played a couple tough teams, played 5 games in all, my son's first soccer games in nearly 2 months. I have continued to go the homeopathic route, using essential oils and topical analgesics, along with what supplements were recommended for joint and bone health, and to reduce inflammation.

BB did great regarding the knee pain during tourney-- he had none. He complained of foot pain from an injury of some type during a basketball game the week prior. He was pretty gimpy, for that reason, by the semi-final and final, but was a able to finish and have an impact on the field. The tendon strap, which I felt was as much a mental as a physical aid, he does not wear any longer.

I am hopeful he will start and finish our spring season healthy, so we can finish strong and earn promotion. But, I temper my hopes due to the fact that he always seems to have some type of physical limitation these days. We take ibuprofen on heavy activity weekends, we ice what hurts, and I still battle with him to stretch daily--and it is a battle.


I just feel that, for the next few years, these kids will battle one ache or another constantly, until they are done with most of their growth. I keep reminding myself of that and trying to give him a break, but if he is feeling well enough to dress and play, I will push him . Had x-rays of BB's foot during a Dr visit recently, doc said his growth plates are wide open, meaning he has a lot of growing yet to come. Blessing and a curse.

Hope we all play this weekend.

Once again thank you for the support and advice. It really has helped. If anyone has questions, PM me.

See some of you real soon. Good luck out there. Whatever happens, win or lose, tell your kids you love them, and how proud you are. Sometimes it takes me until a day or two AFTER games, but I eventually get it right.....Those that know me will get that.