Knee pain in children

Knee pain in children is quite common and usually is not a cause for concern. However, when the pain becomes too severe and lasts for more than a week, the child needs to see a doctor. Causes of knee pain in children can be caused by Osgood-Schlatter disease, osteochondritis dissecans, rheumatoid arthritis, and so on. Read more about the causes of knee pain in children.

Read also:

• Knee joint pain
• Knee pain when walking
• Why knee pain is dangerous and what to do about it
• Swollen knee joints (swollen knee)

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Causes of knee pain in children

There are many causes of knee pain in children that can be determined through a doctor's examination.

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Osgood-Schlatter disease

This disease is a common cause of knee pain in children. It is characterized by pain below the kneecap in the front of the leg. This disease was described by the scientist Osgood and then Schlatter in 1903, hence the name Osgood-Schlatter disease. Knee pain with this disease most often occurs in girls aged 8-13 and in boys aged 11-15.

Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs in boys during adolescence when they have a growth spurt or growth spurt. This causes pain in one or both knees. Swelling, intense tenderness, and pain are felt just below the child's knee, above the tibia (the shin bone).

Knee pain syndrome in children and its treatment

Children with knee pain syndrome experience unexplained pain in the kneecaps of both legs. The pain is aggravated by physical activity such as running, bending the knees, jumping, climbing, etc. The pain may also be caused by damage to the cartilage layer covering the back of the kneecap. Injuries that occur during falls may directly impact the kneecap and result in damage to the cartilage of the knee joint. All circumstances that contribute to the aggravation of knee pain in children must be controlled. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are used to reduce knee pain and inflammation in children.

Osteochondritis dissecans

In osteochondritis dissecans, a portion of the knee cartilage separates from the rest of the body. This portion or fragment of cartilage causes instability and pain in the knee joint. Children have problems moving the knee, symptoms also include severe pain and swelling. The knee pain can be quite severe, jerking, and preventing walking. Osteochondritis dissecans is diagnosed using X-rays, ultrasound of the knee. Children with severe symptoms of knee pain will have to resort to arthroscopic surgery to eliminate the effects of osteochondritis dissecans, however, mild cases of the disease do not require treatment - the pain goes away on its own. In children with severe symptoms of the disease, arthroscopic surgery is used.

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Patellar dislocation

In this condition, the kneecap dislocates. This results in swelling of the knee joint and pain around the kneecap. In addition, the loss of mobility of the knee joint noticeably displaces the kneecap, which is clearly visible during a doctor's examination. Dislocation of the patella is usually seen in girls. The displaced kneecap often returns to its place without any treatment.

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What does the knee joint consist of?

The knee joint of a child consists of bones, cartilage, and ligaments. Damage to any of these parts can lead to knee pain. Knee pain 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 child’s movements are limited, and also determine the cause of the disease, especially if the child’s knees are red or swollen. There are many causes of knee pain in young children that can only be determined with the help of a doctor.

Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (Still's disease)

This is the least common form of knee disease in children. It can develop at any age. Additional symptoms include joint pain, as well as rash, fever, swollen glands, fatigue and lack of energy, and/or weight loss in the early stages. A doctor should be consulted immediately, especially if you think your child may be infected.

All types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can bother your baby until he or she becomes an adult. They may go away after your baby grows up.

A podiatrist may recommend orthopedic shoes and insoles to support and protect the foot while walking. Anti-inflammatory medications are also used to reduce pain and inflammation in the child's knee.

Medical care for knee pain in children

Apart from the above mentioned causes of knee pain in children, there are several other causes of this pain such as septic arthritis or bone cancer. Cruciate ligament injury, knee dislocation, fractures and cartilage tears and other knee injuries can also cause knee pain in children.

Treatment of knee pain in children

If you suspect your child has injured the ligaments in the knee, you should seek professional medical help. But you can reduce knee pain in children and swelling with simple remedies.

• Put the child's feet in something cold. Moreover, you should apply ice to the sore spot immediately after the injury (through a towel to avoid "ice burn").
• If your doctor allows, use a compression bandage to support your ankle.
• Raise your baby's legs above the hips and let them rest on a pillow while your baby sits.