Knee problems: children and young adults
The table below summarises the key features of common knee problems:
Referred pain may come from hip problems such as slipped upper femoral epiphysis
| Condition | Key features |
|---|---|
| Chondromalacia patellae | Softening of the cartilage of the patella Common in teenage girls Characteristically anterior knee pain on walking up and down stairs and rising from prolonged sitting Usually responds to physiotherapy |
| Osgood-Schlatter disease (tibial apophysitis) | Seen in sporty teenagers Pain, tenderness and swelling over the tibial tubercle |
| Osteochondritis dissecans | Pain after exercise Intermittent swelling and locking |
| Patellar subluxation | Medial knee pain due to lateral subluxation of the patella Knee may give way |
| Patellar tendonitis | More common in athletic teenage boys Chronic anterior knee pain that worsens after running Tender below the patella on examination |
Referred pain may come from hip problems such as slipped upper femoral epiphysis
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