Adolescenct Knee

Question 1

why are knee extensor mechanism pains common?

Answer 1

during adolescence body weight and sporting activities increase

Question 2

patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)?

Answer 2

self-limiting needs rest and possibly physiotherapy

Question 3

what is anterior knee pain?

Answer 3

patellofemoral dysfunction common in adolescence worse in girls may be due to muscle imbalance, ligamentous laxity and subtle skeletal predisposition

Question 4

what is chrondromalacia patellae?

Answer 4

softening of the hyaline cartilage - can be seen with patellofemoral dysfunction

Question 5

what is the treatment for adolescent knee pain?

Answer 5

most self-limiting physiotherapy to rebalance the muscles most ‘grow out’ of it occasionally resistant cases that need surgery to shift the patella (known as tibial tubercle transfer) however results can be unpredictable

Question 6

meniscal problems in adolescents?

Answer 6

Meniscal tears can occur in children and adolescents with a higher proportion of peripheral or bucket handle meniscal tears which may benefit from meniscal repair. Moreover young patients have a higher chance of healing with a meniscal repair.