PATELLOFEMORAL SYNDROME JOINT PAIN IN ADOLESCENTS

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Joint pain can occur in adolescents which may resemble arthritis. It is important to determine if the pain worsens with activity or is better with activity. Some conditons which may mimic arthritis in adolescents include: chrondromalacia patellae, osteochrodritis dessicans, Osgood-schlatte and Severs disease.


Chrondromalacia patellae or patellofemoral syndrome occurs in teenage girls and can present as knee pain in one or both knees which worsens with activity. It occurs more in girls than boys due to the angle of the hips to the knees. Weight bearing on a bent knee can be a test as it can worsen the pain. Individuals may find difficulty in day to day activities including participation in physical activity, gym classes and even climbing the stairs. This can also be confused for arthritis as some cases even involve swelling and joint effusion. Chrondromalacia patellae is usually confirmed with crepitus (cracking at the knee joint) and a positive patellar inhibition or Clark's test on examination. History taking also includes knee pain that worsens with activity without morning stiffness in knee joints or any other joints and knee pain that worsens when climbing stairs (particularly going down the stairs). Treatment usually includes: NSAIDs, ice, taping, quadriceps exercises to focus on strengthening the vastus medialis muscle and sometimes even corticosteroid injections. This usually lasts for several years.


Speak to a foot specialist today to determine if your knee pain is due to your foot type (pes planus, overpronation, high arches, supination) or if it could be from other reasons including: arthritis or patellofemoral syndrome.


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