Paediatric Knee


Introduction[edit | edit source]

Knee pain is a common problem in children and adolescents [1] However the knee pain in these age has different underlying pathologies than adults. In adults, the majority of the pain attributes to the degenerative changes and its associated complications, whereas in Pediatric age group the underlying pathology may be congenital or growth related pathology. 

Special Considerations in the child[edit | edit source]

Referred pain from the Hip[edit | edit source]

The hip joint should always be examined first before the clinician assesses the knee. Pain from the hip, like in the adult, is referred usually to the medial joint line of the knee.

Restricted abduction in flexion indicates hip pathology until proven otherwise.

  • Two common hip pathologies to consider are
  1.  Perthes disease (age 6-10) and
  2. Slipped femoral epiphysis (age 10-14).

High index of suspicion for growth plate fractures[edit | edit source]

It should always be remembered trauma resulting in ligament injuries in adults might in children result in bone or growth plate fractures.Isolated knee ligament injury is rare in children younger than 14 years as the ligaments are stronger than the physes.

Also remember even if the initial X ray is normal and the child either limps or is unable to weight bear and the physis is tender a fracture should be suspected and the child treated as such.

Tumour[edit | edit source]

Benign and malignant (primary and metastatic) tumours do occur about the knee. Local trauma often focuses attention on an area in which a tumour is subsequently diagnosed.

Tumours can present with pain, swelling or pathological fracture and one should always like in the adult bear this diagnosis in mind when assessing knee pain especially if the symptoms and signs are atypical.

Infection[edit | edit source]

The most common organisms responsible for osteomyelitis are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococci, E Coli, Proteus and Pseudomonas. Often no primary infective site is found. The most common presentation is pain, warmth and tenderness over the affected part and an unwillingness to move the adjacent joint. It is possible to get an effusion in the neighbouring knee joint however the growth plate usually prevents infective spread into the joint.

All patients should be checked for diabetes or impaired immune function.

Inflammatory Arthritis[edit | edit source]

Still’s disease (juvenile RA) should also be part of one differential diagnosis.

Disorders of infancy[edit | edit source]

  • Hyperextension
  • Flexion

Disorders of childhood[edit | edit source]

Presentations[edit | edit source]

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. Robert C. Orth;The pediatric knee;Pediatr Radiol. 2013 Mar;43 Suppl 1:S90-8.