Teen knee pain is common among teenagers who are active in sports. A teenager who starts to feel a dull, aching pain behind the kneecap (patella) on either or both legs may need to adjust his or her training routine.
Chronic pain in the front and center of the knee (anterior knee pain) is common among active, healthy young athletes, especially girls. It does not mean that you will damage your knee by continuing to do activities. It is just more painful.
Treatment for knee pain in children usually helps and surgery is not usually necessary.
Risk Factor
The complex anatomy of the knee joint that allows it to bend while supporting heavy loads is extremely sensitive to small problems in alignment, training, and overuse. Pressure may pull the kneecap sideways out of its groove, causing pain behind the kneecap. In teenagers, a number of factors may be involved:
- Imbalance of thigh muscles that support the knee join
- Poor flexibility
- Problems with alignment
- Using improper sports training techniques or equipment
- Overdoing sports activities
You may be able to prevent recurrences teen knee pain. Recommendations include:
- Wear shoes appropriate to your activities.
- Warm up with stretching exercises before physical activity.
- Stop doing any activity that hurts your knees.
- Limit the total number of miles you run in training and competition.
Symptoms
Teen knee pain usually begins gradually. Popping or crackling sounds might occur in the knee while climbing stairs or standing up and walk after prolonged sitting. Pain might flare up during activities that repeatedly bend the knee (i.e., jumping, squatting, running, and other exercise) and at night. Without treatment, thigh muscle (quadriceps) weakness might develop.
Treatment
Ice, rest, and rehabilitation are the usual treatments for knee pain in children. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, may also help particularly painful episodes.
Ice
To relieve swelling and inflammation, apply ice wrapped in a towel to the sore knee a few times each day.
Rest
Until the tissues heal, stop doing the activities cause pain. If you are obese, your doctor may recommend that you lose weight to reduce pressure on the knee. You may also benefit from using a simple knee sleeve with the kneecap cut out. Strap or support devices (i.e., braces or shoe orthoses) may also help.
Your Indianapolis knee pain doctor may prescribe an exercise program to normalize your thigh muscle and hamstring flexibility and strength, or recommend cross-training activities that emphasize stretching of the lower extremities (i.e., water aerobics, bike riding). Resume running and other sports activities gradually.
