Pain in the knee in children
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Pain in the knee in children is quite common and, as a rule, can not be cause for concern. However, when the pain becomes too strong and lasts for more than a week, the child needs a doctor's consultation. The causes of knee pain in children can be caused by Osgood-Schlatter disease, dissecting osteochondritis, rheumatoid arthritis and so on. More details about the causes of pain in the knee in children .
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Causes of knee pain in children
There are many causes of knee pain in children, which can be determined by a doctor's examination.
Osgood-Schlatter disease
This disease is a common cause of knee pain in children. It is characterized by pain below the patella in the anterior part of the leg. This disease was described by the scientist Osgood, and then by Schlatter in 1903, hence the name of the Osgood-Schlatter disease. Pain in the knee with this disease most often occurs in girls aged 8-13 and at the age of 11-15 years in boys.
Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs in boys in adolescence, when they have a jump or a growth spurt. Then there is pain in one or both laps. Edema, severe sensation and pain are felt just below the knee of the child, above the tibia (this is the shin bone).
Painful knee syndrome in children and its treatment
Children with painful knee syndrome experience pains of unclear etiology in the region of the knee-capped calves of both legs. Pains are aggravated by physical activity, such as running, knee bending, jumping, climbing, etc. Pain can also occur due to damage to the cartilage layer covering the back of the patella. Injuries caused by falling can act directly on the knee cap and, as a result, lead to damage to the cartilage of the knee joint. All the circumstances that contribute to exacerbation of pain in the knee in children, it is necessary to control. To reduce pain in the knee in children and inflammation, it uses anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.
Dissecting osteochondritis
With dissecting osteochondritis, part of the knee cartilage is separated from the rest of the body. This part or fragment of the cartilage leads to instability and pain in the knee joint. Children experience problems with movement in the knee, among the symptoms are also severe pain and swelling. Pain in the knee can be quite strong, pulling, not giving a walk. Diagnosis of dissecting osteochondritis is carried out with the help of X-ray studies, ultrasound of the knee. Children with severe symptoms of knee pain will have to resort to arthroscopic surgery to eliminate the effects of dissecting osteochondritis, however, mild cases of the disease need not be treated - the pains pass by themselves. In children with severe symptoms of the disease, methods of arthroscopic surgery are used.
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Dislocation of the patella
With this disease, the kneecap dislocates. As a result, there is swelling of the knee joint and pain around the patella. In addition, impaired mobility of the knee joint markedly displaces the knee cap, this is clearly visible when examined by a doctor. The dislocation of the patella is usually observed in girls. The displaced patella often returns to its place without any treatment.
What is the knee joint?
The knee joint of the child consists of bones, cartilages and ligaments. Damage to any of these parts can lead to pain in the knees. Pain in the knee in children is quite common and usually does not require serious medical intervention. But when severe pain bothers the child for more than a week, then you need to see a doctor. The doctor will tell you whether the movements of the child are limited, and also determine the cause of the disease, especially if the baby's knees are red or swollen. There are many causes of knee pain in young children, which can only be determined with the help of a doctor.
Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (Still's disease)
This is the least common form of the disease in the knee in children. It can develop at any age. Additional symptoms are pain in the joints, also in the initial stages of the rash, fever, swelling of the glands, fatigue and lack of energy and / or weight loss. The doctor should be contacted immediately, especially if you think that your child may be infected with infections.
All types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can bother the baby until the child becomes an adult. They can disappear after your child grows up.
An orthopedic doctor can recommend orthopedic shoes and insole to support and protect the foot while walking. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to reduce pain and inflammation in the knee in a child.
Medical aid for pain in the knee in children
In addition to the above mentioned reasons for knee pain in children, there are several other reasons for this pain, such as septic arthritis or bone cancer. Injury of cruciate ligaments of knee joints, knee dislocation, fractures and cartilage ruptures and other knee injuries can also cause knee pain in children.
Treatment of knee pain in children
If you suspect that your child has damaged ligaments in the knee, you should seek professional medical attention. But you can reduce pain in the knee in children and swelling with the simplest means.
- Put the child's feet in something cold. And you must apply ice to the sore spot immediately after the injury (through a towel to avoid an "ice burn").
- If the doctor allows, use a squeezing bandage to support the ankle
- Raise the child's legs above the hips, let them rest on the pillow while the child is sitting.