Knee Problems in Child and Young Adults

Question 1

• 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

Answer 1

Chondromalacia Patellae

Question 2

• Seen in sporty teenagers
• Pain, tenderness and swelling over the tibial tubercle

Answer 2

Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Tibial Apophysitis)

Question 3

• Cracks form in the articular cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone.
• Loss of blood flow to subchondral bone leads to AVN.
• Age 10-15 years.
• Swelling - catches and locks during movement.
• Crepitus

Answer 3

Osteochondritis dissecans

Question 4

• More common in 20-30 years
• Medial knee pain due to lateral subluxation of the patella
• Knee may give way
• Knee catches during movement.
• Anterior knee pain
• Pain when sitting
• Stiffness
• Crepitus
• Swelling

Answer 4

Patellar subluxation syndrome

Question 5

More common in athletic teenage boys
Chronic anterior knee pain that worsens after running
Tender below the patella on examination

Answer 5

Patellar tendonitis