Knee Pain in Children

Knee pain in children and adolescents is common. It can be caused by many things, including:

• Growing.
• Using the knee too much (overuse).
• A tear or stretch in the tissues that support the knee.
• A bruise.
• A hip problem.
• A tumor.
• A joint infection.
• A kneecap condition, such as Osgood–Schlatter disease, patella-femoral syndrome, or Sinding-Larsen–Johansson syndrome.

In many cases, knee pain is not a sign of a serious problem. It may go away on its own with time and rest. If knee pain does not go away, a health care provider may order tests to find the cause of the pain. These may include:

• Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound.
• Joint aspiration. In this test, fluid is removed from the knee.
• Arthroscopy. In this test, a lighted tube is inserted into the knee and an image is projected onto a TV screen.
• A biopsy. In this test, a sample of tissue is removed from the body and studied under a microscope.

Follow these instructions at home:

Pay attention to any changes in your child’s symptoms. Take these actions to help with your child’s pain:

• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• Have your child rest his or her knee.
• Have your child raise (elevate) his or her knee above the level of his or her heart while sitting or lying down.
• Keep a pillow under your child’s knee when she or he sleeps.
• Have your child avoid activities that cause or worsen pain.
• Have your child avoid high-impact activities or exercises, such as running, jumping rope, or doing jumping jacks.
• Write down what makes your child’s knee pain worse and what makes it better. This will help your child’s health care provider decide how to help your child feel better.
• If directed, apply ice to the injured knee:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child’s knee pain continues, changes, or gets worse.
• Your child’s knee buckles or locks up.

Get help right away if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child’s knee feels warm to the touch.
• Your child’s knee becomes more swollen.
• Your child is unable to walk due to the pain.

Summary

• Knee pain in children and adolescents is common. It can be caused by many things, including growing, a kneecap condition, or using the knee too much (overuse).
• In many cases, knee pain is not a sign of a serious problem. It may go away on its own with time and rest. If your child’s knee pain does not go away, a health care provider may order tests to find the cause of the pain.
• Pay attention to any changes in your child’s symptoms. Relieve knee pain with rest, medicines, light activity, and use of ice.