What Causes Knee Cap Pain

How Is Chondromalacia Patella Treated

The most common way to treat symptoms of chondromalacia patella is to rest the knee. Other ways to treat the symptoms include:

• Placing of an ice or cold pack to the area for 15-20 minutes, four times daily, for several days. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice or cold pack with a towel.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain reliefThese include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
• Topical pain medication These include creams or patches that are applied to the skin to help with soft tissue pain.
• Prescription pain relievers.

Other treatments or self-care include:

• Changing the way you exercise
• Doing exercises to both stretch and strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles
• Losing weight
• Using special shoe inserts and support devices
• Taping to realign the kneecap
• Wearing the right kind of sport or running shoes

Symptoms And Signs Of Teenage Knee Pain

The location of the pain may vary depending on the underlying cause. Some children may have anterior knee pain, while others may have posterior knee pain. The following signs and symptoms can be associated with knee pain in most teens .

• Pain felt during knee flexion
• Popping sounds heard from the knee during movements
• Problems in weight-bearing on leg
• Inability to keep knees fully flexed or extended

Severe knee pain and other symptoms require pediatric consultation. Doctors may help to identify the cause of pain and treat it.

What Are The Symptoms Of Patellofemoral Pain

• Pain around the knee. The pain is felt at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap . Often, the exact site of the pain cannot be pinpointed; instead the pain is felt vaguely at the front of the knee.
• The pain comes and goes.
• Both knees are often affected at the same time but one is usually worse than the other.
• The pain is typically worse when going up or, in particular, going down stairs.
• Running, especially downhill, squatting and certain sports can all set it off – anything that leads to the patella being compressed against the lower part of the thighbone.
• The pain may be brought on by sitting still for long periods. For example, after going to the cinema or for a long drive, when it will be worse when starting to move about again.
• There may be a grating or grinding feeling or a noise when the knee bends and straightens. This is called crepitus.
• Sometimes there is puffiness or swelling around the kneecap.

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What Are Knee Pain Symptoms And Signs

• Chronic use/overuse conditions: osteoarthritis, chondromalacia, IT band syndrome, patellar syndromes, tendinitis, and bursitis

Below is a list of some of the more common causes of knee pain. This is not an all-inclusive list but rather highlights a few common causes of knee pain in each of the above categories.

Acute knee injuries

Fractures: A direct blow to the bony structure can cause one of the bones in the knee to break. This is usually a very obvious and painful knee injury. Most knee fractures are not only painful but will also interfere with the proper functioning of the knee or make it very painful to bear weight . All fractures need immediate medical attention. Many fractures require significant force, and a thorough examination is performed to detect other injuries.

Ligament injuries: The most common injury is the ACL injury. An ACL injury is often a sports-related injury due to a sudden stop and change in directions. The remaining ligaments are injured less frequently.

Meniscus injuries: The menisci are made of cartilage and act as shock absorbers between bones in the knee. Twisting the knee can injure the meniscus.

Dislocation: The knee joint can be dislocated, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Knee dislocation can compromise blood flow to the leg and have other related problems. This injury often occurs during a motor-vehicle accident when the knee hits the dashboard.

How Long Does Knee Pain In Teens Last

There is no specific duration for knee pain in teens. It may vary depending on the severity and type of underlying conditions. Knee pain due to overuse may relieve immediately with rest. Knee pain due to knee injuries, such as ligament tear, may even continue after treatment until the injury heals.

Growing pains in the knee are experienced during growth spurts in teenagers. This type of pain may resolve once the growth is completed.

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Housemaid’s Knee Due To Other Causes

Most episodes of housemaid’s knee will settle with supportive treatment and do not require medicines or surgery.

Supportive treatmentThe following may be suggested:

• Resting the knee.
• The use of ice packs on the knee .
• For kneeling, the use of a thick foam cushion or knee pads – these can help to prevent the condition from coming back.
• A physiotherapist can help by teaching you some exercises if your knee joint is affected by a reduced range of movement.
• A stick or a cane can help with walking.

Treatment using medicinesNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen, can be taken for mild-to-moderate pain caused by housemaid’s knee. These also help to reduce inflammation.

If housemaid’s knee becomes more troublesome, your doctor may suggest that they draw out the fluid from the bursa, using a small needle. They can then inject a steroid medicine into the bursa to counteract the inflammation. The idea is that the fluid will no longer accumulate. Infection must be excluded beforehand, as the steroid injection can make any pre-existing infection worse. You are unlikely to develop complications after this procedure. However, occasionally the following may occur:

• The inflammation of the bursa can come back.
• You can develop infection, bleeding or damage to the tendon joined to the kneecap.

Surgical treatmentIn rare cases when housemaid’s knee does not go away, or keeps coming back and is causing intolerable symptoms, surgery may be necessary.

Find Out More About Front Knee Pain

Front knee pain is extremely common, but is usually fairly simple to overcome.;If you would like some help working out what is causing your problem and what you can do about it, visit the knee pain diagnosissection. Remember, the best way to accurately diagnose your front knee pain is to see your doctor.

Find out more about the most common causes of front knee pain, including in-depth information on the causes, symptoms and treatment options by clicking on the links above.;

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Pain In The Front Of The Knee: 6 Common Causes

Pain in the front of the knee or anterior knee pain is very common. Do any of these scenarios seem familiar to you? You come to a stairway and cringe at the thought of having to walk downstairs.; You love to run, but the anterior knee pain you have when running downhill has taken the joy out of running. If youve been sitting for a while, the thought of having to get up is becoming too much to bear.; While I could say youre not alone, thats not very comforting.; You are here for answers. Lets see how we can help educate you on why the front of your knee hurts so much.;;

Treatment For Knee Pain

Treatment options may vary depending on the underlying cause of knee pain. The following treatments are usually prescribed for teens .

• Medications: Pain relievers are often prescribed for teens. Conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis are also treated with medications.
• Physical therapy: This may help to strengthen the muscles by specific exercises. This may also improve flexibility and balance.
• Correction of sports techniques: If the knee pain is related to inappropriate sports techniques, your teen may feel better after correcting it.
• Arch supports: Wedges on one side of the heel may reduce pressure on the knee. This can be useful in the case of osteoarthritis.
• Knee braces: This may help support and protect the knee.

Some conditions may require direct injection of medication or other substances to the knee joint. Arthroscopic surgeries are often recommended for knee injuries.

Rest is recommended for teens with knee pain before returning to sports activities. Physical therapy and stretching exercise can be included with the training as per the instructions. It is not advised to take pain relievers and continue sports since this may often result in ligament injuries. Teens can continue to participate in sports after the acute pain subsides in a safer and pain-free way.

References:

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Common Causes Of Inner Knee Pain

There are a variety of causes of inner knee pain. Many of them can be linked to an injury. Some of the most common incidents that cause knee injury and pain include falls, sports injuries, or increased activity.

Adults particularly those older than 60 are most likely to experience knee pain. However, inner knee pain can also occur in children and adolescents.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the most common causes of inner knee pain in children are:

• patellar subluxation

How Long Does A Knee Ligament Injury Take To Heal

This will depend on which knee ligament you have injured and also how severe your injury is. Also, if you have injured more than one ligament in your knee, recovery may take longer.

If you have surgery to repair your ACL, it usually takes around six months before your knee has recovered enough for you to return to your previous sporting activities. However, in some people, it may be longer. In general, surgery to reconstruct an ACL has good results in up to 8 out of 10 people in the short term but the risk of a second ACL injury is high, especially in young athletes. In the longer term, many people who have had an ACL tear develop osteoarthritis in their knee, whether or not they have had their ACL reconstructed.

If your PCL has been treated using surgery, it can take between 9 and 12 months before complete recovery.

After a stretch injury or partial tear to the MCL, the ligament has completely healed in most people after three months. If there is a complete tear, recovery may take a little longer but most people are back to their usual activities after 6-9 months.

Note: you should ask advice from your medical professional about when it is safe for you to start exercise or sport again after a knee ligament injury. It is important that you do not start exercising again until your knee is pain-free and completely stable. If you start exercising too early, you may cause further injury to your knee.

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How Is Housemaid’s Knee Diagnosed

Your doctor is usually able to diagnose housemaid’s knee simply by examining your knee. They may ask you questions about your occupation or if you have had any recent knee injury. They may also ask whether you have any history of other joint problems.

If your doctor suspects that housemaid’s knee is caused by infection, they may suggest that they draw some fluid from the bursa. This is a straightforward procedure. The skin on the front of your knee is sterilised with some fluid and the procedure is carried out in a clean environment. A small needle is used to take a sample of the fluid from your prepatellar bursa, which is directly underneath the skin in front of your kneecap. This fluid is sent off to the laboratory to look for signs of infection. If infection is confirmed, the laboratory may be able to suggest which antibiotic medicines will treat it.

You do not usually need any X-rays or scans to diagnose housemaid’s knee unless your doctor is unsure about the diagnosis.

What Is The Prognosis For Chondromalacia Patella

Individuals suffering from knee pain caused by chondromalacia patella often make a full recovery. Recovery can be as fast as a month or take years, depending on the case. Many long-term recoveries occur in teenagers because their bones are still growing. Symptoms tend to disappear once adulthood is reached.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/06/2014.

References

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Who Develops Housemaid’s Knee

Any age group can be affected by housemaid’s knee. It is generally more common in males than in females. Housemaid’s knee in children is more likely to be caused by infection. Infection is also a common cause of housemaid’s knee in people whose immune systems are not working normally. Such people include those receiving steroid treatment or those on chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Housemaid’s knee is more common in tradesmen who spend long periods of time kneeling – for example, carpet fitters, concrete finishers and roofers.

How Are Knee Problems Diagnosed

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, other tests for knee problems may include:

• X-ray. This test uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.

• Magnetic resonance imaging .;This test;uses;large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures within the body; can often determine damage or disease in a surrounding ligament or muscle.

• Computed tomography scan .;This test uses;X-rays and computer technology to make horizontal, or axial,;images of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

• Arthroscopy.;A minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for conditions of a joint. This procedure uses a small, lighted, optic tube , which is inserted into the joint through a small incision in the joint. Images of the inside of the joint are projected onto a screen; used to evaluate any degenerative or arthritic changes in the joint; to detect bone diseases and tumors; to determine the cause of bone pain and inflammation.

• Radionuclide bone scan.;A nuclear imaging technique that uses a very small amount of radioactive material, which is injected into the patient’s bloodstream to be detected by a scanner. This test shows blood flow to the bone and cell activity within the bone.

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See The Doctor If You Have:

• An inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
• An injury that causes deformity around the joint
• Knee pain that occurs at night or while resting
• Knee pain that persists beyond a few days
• Locking in the knee
• Swelling of the joint or the calf area
• Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, or warmth
• Any other unusual symptoms

What Are The Types Of Knee Pain

Knee pain varies greatly depending on the cause. It can range in severity, as well as the specific sensation, such as dullness or sharpness. Sounds can also accompany different kinds of knee pain. Some common types of knee pain include:

• Knee pain when kneeling: This kind of knee pain is often a sign of bursitis. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs inside certain joints, including the knee. They provide cushioning when you kneel or bend your knee. occurs when bursae become inflamed or irritated.

• Knee pain with crepitus: is the medical term for joint sounds, such as creaking, crunching or cracking. Alone, it is usually harmless. When it occurs with knee pain, it could be a sign of an injury, such as a .

• Knee pain on the stairs: Pain when you climb the stairs can be an early sign of osteoarthritis . OA is a degenerative condition that also causes joint stiffness and limited movement.

• Morning knee pain that resolves: When you wake to that improves during the day, it can be a sign of . In particular, its common with autoimmune problems, such as and . OA can also cause morning knee pain, but it usually resolves soon after you get up and move.

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome: The common name for this type of knee pain is runners knee or jumpers knee. It causes dull pain around the kneecap with activity. Its commonly the result of overuse or .

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When To Contact A Medical Professional

• You cannot bear weight on your knee.
• You have severe pain, even when not bearing weight.
• Your knee buckles, clicks, or locks.
• Your knee is deformed or misshapen.
• You cannot flex your knee or have trouble straightening it all the way out.
• You have a fever, redness or warmth around the knee, or a lot of swelling.
• You have pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or bluish discoloration in the calf below the sore knee.
• You still have pain after 3 days of home treatment.;

Complementary And Alternative Therapies

A number of mind-body therapies, such as acupuncture and tai chi, may be used to treat knee pain, especially knee osteoarthritis.

While once popular, the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin have fallen out of favor for treating knee osteoarthritis. This is due to their lack of benefit based on scientific studies; although, some people may obtain mild relief. Like any medication, vitamin, or supplement, be sure to talk with your doctor first before taking it to be certain it is safe for you.

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When To See A Doctor

It is not ideal to use pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, to mask the pain and participate in sports. This may worsen the injuries and pain over time. Seek medical care in the following circumstances .

• Knee pain lasting more than two weeks
• Limping due to pain
• Unable to do sport activities
• Pain while playing sports
• Performance is affected by the pain
• Knee injuries

Never force your teen to participate in sports with knee pain. All cases of knee pain are not related to growth. An orthopedic doctor should evaluate the teen to identify the exact cause.