Child Knee Pain And Treatments
Knee Pain in Children is very common for children and adolescents, especially if they are very sporty. Any pain that is persistent or restricting should be investigated further. Some of the more common causes of knee pain in children include Chondromalacia Patellae, Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease, Ligament Injuries and Arthritis
Chris Parish, our Orthopaedic Podiatrist, has over 23 years experience diagnosing and treating the causes of knee pain in children. To discuss your child’s knee pain or condition or make an appointment to see Chris Parish, please call us, email us or message us using our simple online form.
Contents
- Patello-Femoral Pain (Chondromalacia Patellae)
- Treatment of Patello-Femoral Pain / Chondromalacia Patella
- Ligament Injuries
- Treatment of Ligament Injuries
- Patellar Dislocation
- Treatment of Patellar Dislocation
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Treatment for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Child Knee Pain Causes And Treatments
Patello-Femoral Pain (Chondromalacia Patellae)
Patello-femoral pain, also called chondromalacia patella, is a common cause of knee pain in children. The patella is the medical name for the kneecap and femoral means relating to the thighbone, or femur. Patello-femoral pain can affect both boys and girls but is more common in teenage girls due to the widening of the pelvis during puberty which increases the Q-angle.
Incorrect alignment of the kneecap (when it does not move or ‘track’ correctly when bent or straightened) and overpronation (where the foot rolls inwards), can also lead to patello-femoral pain.
Children with patello-femoral pain usually have vague pain in both knees around the kneecap and pain is often made worse by activities, such as running, jumping, bending, sitting for a long time or climbing stairs.
Treatment of Patello-femoral Pain / Chondromalacia Patella
Treatment of patello-femoral pain consists of rest from any activity that regularly makes the pain worse. An Orthopaedic Podiatrist will look at underlying causes and may recommend your child wears custom-made orthotic insoles if there is evidence of poor foot function.
Patello-femoral pain usually responds very well to treatment.
Ligament Injuries
Ligament injuries in children are usually the result of a sporting injury, particularly football-related accidents. Ligaments are tough bands of rope-like tissue that connect bones or cartilages at a joint. The four ligaments in the knee connect the thighbone (the femur) to the lower leg bones (the tibia and the fibula). They are the ‘collateral’ and ‘cruciate’ ligaments.
A torn ligament can be very painful, causing bruising and swelling. If they twist their knee, they may also hear a pop. The knee will then quickly swell and they will probably not be able to put any weight on it.
Treatment of Ligament Injuries
If you suspect your child may have damaged a ligament in their knee, you should seek professional medical advice.
As a general rule of thumb the ‘R.I.C.E.’ theory should be used to help reduce pain and swelling: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
- REST the foot completely
- You should apply ICE to the affected area straight away (through a tea towel so as to avoid ‘ice burn’).
- If they allow you to, use a COMPRESSION bandage to support the ankle
- ELEVATE it above the hip by resting it on a pillow whilst they sit down.
A knee brace or knee support is sometimes needed to aid recovery. An Orthopaedic Podiatrist can advise on long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
Patellar Dislocation
Patellar dislocation, where the patella, or kneecap, moves out of position, typically affects adolescent girls – due in part to the widening of the pelvis during puberty. The kneecap slides up and down a groove in the thigh bone as the knee bends and if this groove is too shallow, this could be a contributing factor. While the kneecap usually easily moves back into place, it will probably continue to slip out of place again unless treatment is given.
Treatment of Patellar Dislocation
Treatment of patellar dislocation usually involves physiotherapy and quadriceps strengthening exercises to control the pull on the kneecap. Bracing and taping of the kneecap may also be necessary. An Orthopaedic Podiatrist can advise on long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, also referred to as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is a condition that affects children where their joints become inflamed. There are three main types: oligoarticular (or pauciarticular), polyarticular and systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In all types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the joints is the most common symptom; the joints may also look red and feel hot to touch. The number of joints affected will vary depending on which form of the condition your child has.
Oligoarticular (or pauciarticular) juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form, affecting about half of all children with arthritis and mainly girls under the age of eight. It is usually present in four joints or fewer and normally the larger joints such as the knees, ankles or wrists. After the age of eight, boys are more likely to develop this type of arthritis.
The polyarticular form affects about a third of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and can occur at any age. It is a condition that affects five or more joints and especially the fingers and toes.
Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (also known as Still’s Disease) is the least common form of the condition. It may develop at any age and in addition to joint pain, initial symptoms can also include a rash, fever, swollen glands, tiredness and lack of energy and/or weight loss, leading you to believe your child may have an infection.
In all types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may last into adult life or they may disappear as your child grows up.
Treatment for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
While there is no cure for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, treatment can help to reduce symptoms and prevent long term problems. An Orthopaedic Podiatrist may recommend a custom-made orthotics to support and protect the foot and leg during walking. Anti-inflammatory medication is also used to help control pain and manage inflammation.
Chris Parish, our Orthopaedic Podiatrist, has over 23 years experience diagnosing and treating the causes of knee pain in children. To discuss your child’s knee pain or condition or make an appointment to see Chris Parish, please call us, email us or send us a message using our simple online form.