Youth Golfer Motor Control Dysfunction & Hip Pain: WIR 9
This week’s episode of The Week in Review from The FARM highlights the fascinating intersection of youth development, biomechanics, and the subtle yet powerful role of functional rehabilitation in athletic performance. The team dives into three compelling cases—a youth golfer navigating motor control challenges during rapid growth, a patient with unexplained bilateral hip pain relieved through corrective breathing, and a gymnast presenting with the often overlooked Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome. Each case underscores the FARM’s guiding philosophy: that movement, when understood through both science and clinical art, is the key to unlocking health and performance.
The first case examines a young golfer who is experiencing multiple motor control dysfunctions as a result of growth spurts. Adolescent athletes often find themselves in the frustrating position of having the skill and competitive drive but struggling to coordinate their rapidly changing bodies. The FARM team explains how changes in limb length, neuromuscular timing, and proprioception can disrupt even the most well-practiced swing. More importantly, they discuss strategies for assessing motor control deficits and building stability without robbing the athlete of the fluidity and creativity required for elite-level play. It is a reminder that in youth sports, development is not simply about repetition but about teaching the body to integrate change with efficiency.
The second case presents a more mysterious challenge: bilateral hip pain without a clear orthopedic cause. What stands out here is the intervention—simple breathing techniques—that brought meaningful relief. While it might sound unconventional, the team emphasizes the importance of breath mechanics in musculoskeletal health. Dysfunctional breathing can create compensatory tension in the pelvis and core, ultimately manifesting as pain in regions that don’t appear directly related to respiration. By restoring diaphragmatic breathing and rebalancing intra-abdominal pressure, the patient not only reduced pain but also improved overall stability. This case demonstrates the FARM’s holistic approach, one that blends evidence-based rehab strategies with a systems-level understanding of the body.
The third discussion centers on a youth gymnast diagnosed with Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome, a condition sometimes overshadowed by the more commonly discussed Osgood-Schlatter disease. Both are traction apophysitis conditions associated with repetitive stress during periods of growth, but the location and presentation differ. The team highlights the clinical nuances—how knee pain in an adolescent athlete can easily be misattributed to overuse, growing pains, or even meniscal issues. Recognizing the true etiology not only prevents mismanagement but also empowers the athlete and family with a clear plan for load management, activity modification, and long-term joint health.
Collectively, these cases offer a vivid window into the FARM’s clinical ethos. They illustrate that health and performance cannot be reduced to a single joint, muscle, or diagnosis. Instead, the body must be viewed as an integrated system, shaped by growth, breathing, movement, and the unique demands of sport. For coaches, parents, and healthcare providers alike, this episode reinforces the value of listening closely, testing thoroughly, and never underestimating the profound impact of simple interventions.
At its heart, the episode captures what makes The FARM’s perspective so refreshing: a commitment to blending science, creativity, and practicality to help athletes thrive—whether they are chasing their first tournament win, battling mysterious pain, or training through the ups and downs of growth.
