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Pure Sports Medicine

Paediatric Physiotherapy at Roehampton Club: supporting young athletes with specialist care

Children at Roehampton Club are more active than ever – and that’s a fantastic thing. Whether it’s tennis, swimming, golf, padel, or team sports, regular activity plays an important role in both physical and mental wellbeing.

However, with this increase in participation, we are also seeing more growth‑related and sports injuries in children and adolescents. While occasional injuries are part of sport, they should not be seen as ‘normal’ – especially in growing bodies.

Children are not just small adults

One of the most important things to understand is that children’s bodies function very differently from adults. Their bones, muscles, and joints are still developing, which means injuries can present in unique ways and require specialist care.
Pain that might seem minor – or expected – can sometimes indicate a deeper issue related to growth. As a simple guide, any pain that lasts longer than a week should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Early assessment helps prevent small problems from becoming longer term issues that may affect sport, daily activity, or confidence.

Common problem areas during growth

Certain areas of the body are particularly vulnerable during childhood and adolescence—especially during growth spurts and puberty.
The most commonly affected areas include:
• Knees – often linked to increased training load or jumping activities
• Heels – common in running and multi sport participation
• Hips and lower back – particularly during rapid growth phases

These issues are often related to the body adjusting to changes in strength, coordination, and biomechanics. Without the right guidance, they can persist or worsen over time.

 

Understanding the bigger picture

 

When working with young athletes, it’s important to look beyond the injury itself and understand their overall activity levels and routine. Many children today are involved in multiple environments, including:
• School sports programmes
• Club training sessions
• Performance pathways (county, academy, or representative level)

 

On top of this, seasonal sports place very different demands on the body. Summer activities like tennis, athletics, and cricket differ significantly from winter sports such as rugby or hockey.

Training load is another key factor. Sudden increases in activity – especially during school holidays, intensive camps, or pre season programmes – can place additional stress on growing joints. Without proper management, this can lead to overuse injuries.

 

Specialist Support at Pure Sports Medicine Roehampton

 

At Pure Sports Medicine Roehampton, we offer specialist paediatric physiotherapy designed to support young athletes safely through injury and back to the activities they enjoy.
Our approach focuses on:
• Accurate, age appropriate diagnosis
• Understanding the cause of symptoms – not just treating pain
• Supporting safe return to sport
• Reducing the risk of re injury

 

This ensures that children not only recover, but also build strength, resilience, and confidence as they continue to grow and develop.

Meet Shreena Patel

 

Leading this service is Shreena Patel, Specialist MSK Physiotherapist, who brings over 20 years of clinical experience to her work with children and adolescents.

 

Shreena has completed advanced training at University College London, specialising in musculoskeletal care for young people. She also works within elite sport, including with the Girls’ Academy at Chelsea Football Club, giving her valuable insight into developing athletes and performance environments.

 

Her approach is calm, supportive, and tailored to each individual—helping both children and parents feel confident throughout the recovery process.

 

Book an Appointment

 

If your child is experiencing pain, discomfort, or struggling to return fully to sport, early support can make all the difference.

 

Shreena Patel is available to see members at Pure Sports Medicine Roehampton Club.

Click here to book an appointment or speak to the clinic team directly to find out more.

 

Our aim is simple: to help young athletes stay active, develop safely, and enjoy sport with confidence – now and in the future.