Knee Pain in Children
How does the knee work?
The knee is the largest joint in your body, found between your thigh and shin.
The knee joint is supported by strong ligaments, muscles and tendons which give stability, and menisci (cartilage) which act as shock absorbers all allowing the knee to move.
It is quite common for children to complain of knee pain without having sustained any type of trauma or injury especially active adolescents. The most common reason for knee pain in children is due to overuse.
If your child is limping and develops any of the following signs you should urgently call 111 who will triage if your child needs urgent care:
- Sudden onset pain in their hip, thigh or knee
- Unable to put any weight on their leg to stand or walk
- The leg has changed shape or is pointing at an odd angle
- Generally unwell with a high temperature, feeling hot and shivery
- Severe pain in the lower part of their tummy
- Symptoms are getting worse
Your child may also need to see a doctor urgently if they have fallen or twisted their knee and:
- Their knee is immediately swollen
- Their knee has locked (they are unable to move it at all) and
- They are unable to put any weight on their leg to stand or walk
If this happens, you should urgently call 111 who will triage if your child needs urgent care.
Knee Pain
Causes of Pain
Pain treatments
Self Help
Causes of Pain
If you see a healthcare professional about your child’s knee pain, they will likely also examine your child’s hips. This is because sometimes pain can be felt in the knee due to a problem at the hip. This sort of pain is known as referred pain.
There are some conditions affecting the knee joint which are specifically seen in children and young people who are still growing, such as Osgood Schlatters disease and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome.
Pain treatments
It is normal to experience mild pain and some children will require pain relief like Paracetamol or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen.
See NHS 111 Wales guidelines here on pain relief.
You can also seek advice from your local pharmacy.
Self Help
Keeping active is an essential part of your child’s treatment and recovery and is the single best thing they can do for their health.
For some conditions, certain activities may need to be avoided during particular stages of the healing process. A physiotherapist will give you specific advice for your child if this is the case.
If your child finds running and jumping activities difficult because of their knee pain, they may prefer to try a period of lower impact activities such as swimming, riding a bike or scooter to keep them active while letting their knee pain settle.
Being physically active throughout their recovery can:
- Prevent the problem happening again
- Maintain your child’s current levels of fitness – even if you have to modify what they normally do, any activity is better than none
- Keep your child’s other muscles and joints strong and flexible
- Keep your child at a healthy body weight
- Encourage your child’s ongoing development of important motor skills
It’s recommended your child stays at or returns to school as quickly as possible during their recovery. Your child’s physiotherapist can work with you and your child’s school to help support your child’s physical needs if required.
Within the first 24 to 48 hours after a knee problem has started you should try to:
- Rest your child’s knee but avoid long spells of not moving at all
- Encourage your child to move their knee gently for 10 to 20 seconds every hour when they are awake
- If your child has a muscle or ligament injury this video from “The Running Clinic” can help support, you in managing your recovery.
After 48 hours:
- Encourage your child to slowly return to normal activity
- Do whatever your child normally would including staying at or returning to school if possible
- Avoid sports or heavy lifting until your child has less discomfort and good movement. When they do return to sport, remember to warm up fully before they start
- If your child’s symptoms do not improve please seek medical advice.
Further information
You may find the links below useful once your child has seen a health professional and diagnosed the condition.
If you have any concerns or queries about your child’s recovery please contact Dolphin Outpatients on 02921 847577.
If you child does not have an appointment arranged with physio and symptoms continue or are not improving gradually, then you can self-refer your child to the Paediatric physiotherapy outpatient department by telephoning our referral line on 02921836908.
