Knee Pain in Children

The knee joint in the human body comprises bones, cartilage and ligaments. Injury to any of these parts can result in knee pain. Knee pain in children is quite a common phenomenon and is usually not a reason of grave concern. Only when severe pain persists for more than a week, then medical attention should be sought. The physician is to be contacted if the child's movement is restricted or if the child's knee is red or swollen. There are many reasons for knee pain in children, which can be identified by a physician.

Causes of Knee Pain in Children

Osgood Schlatters Disease: This disease is a common cause of knee pain in kids and is characterized by a small bump below the knee cap in the leg's anterior region. This disease was described by Osgood and then Schlatter in 1903, hence the name Osgood Schlatters disease. This disease in seen to occur in girls between the ages 8-13 and in boys between 11-15. It occurs in boys during their teenage years, when they have a growth spurt and one or both knees can get affected. Swelling, tenderness and pain is experienced just below the knee, over the tibia (bone of the lower leg). The condition becomes evident during or after activities, like, running, jumping, etc. Commonly seen in young athletes after a game of basketball or soccer or even after ballet dancing, etc. There is no treatment for this disease and usually this condition disappears with time. The pain and swelling recedes as the child stops growing, as the tendons in the patella (knee cap) region become stronger. To minimize the pain, ice and pain relievers can be used. Moreover, elastic bandage can also be used to compress the painful area.

Parapatellar Knee Pain Syndrome: Children with this syndrome experience obscure pain around the patella in both the knees. The pain is aggravated by physical activities such as running, bending the knees, jumping, climbing, etc. This condition results from the damage of the cartilage layer covering the posterior portion of the patella. Injuries occurring while falling directly on the knee cap and long-standing overuse injury result in the damage of the knee cartilage. All activities contributing to knee pain aggravation need to be brought to a halt. Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen are used to reduce the knee inflammation and pain.

Osteochondritis Dissecans: In this condition, a piece of knee cartilage gets separated from the rest of the body. This piece or fragment of loose cartilage causes instability and pain in the knee joint. Children experience locking of the knee, severe pain and swelling. The knee may even give way at times. The diagnosis of Osteochondritis Dissecans is done via x-ray. Children with severe symptoms may have to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage, however, the minor cases heal on their own.

Patellar dislocation: In this condition, the knee cap or patella gets dislocated and results in swelling of the knee joint and pain around the patella. Moreover, impaired mobility of the knee and conspicuous knee cap displacement is seen. Patellar dislocation is commonly seen in girls. The displaced patella often slips back into place without any treatment. However, in order to keep the knee cap from slipping in and out, treatment involving immobilization of the knee is required. The immobilization treatment comprises keeping the knee extended for 6 weeks, which is then followed by knee strengthening exercises.

Besides the above mentioned causes of knee pain in children, there are several other reasons such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis or bone cancer that cause knee pain. Injury of the collateral and cruciate ligaments in the knee joints, dislocated knees, fractures and torn cartilage and other common knee injuries are also seen to cause knee pain.