Knee Injuries and Kids

If you have kids that play soccer or any other sport, knee pain is a real concern. This article talks about some of the various types of knee injuries kids can sustain and how to diagnose the different types of injuries and the recommended treatment. Do your kids a favor, keep a knee ice wrap in the house to treat soccer or other sport related knee injuries. Prompt ice therapy can often reduce the severity of the injury and related recovery time so your youngster can get back in action quicker.

Knee Pain in Young Soccer Players

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Knee Pain in Young Soccer Players

Overview

Children who play soccer are especially susceptible to knee pain and injuries. The knee, one of the largest, most complex joints of the body, potentially can twist into the wrong position with each kick of a soccer ball. If you suspect your young soccer player has a knee injury or if he is complaining of pain, consult your child's doctor.

Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain

Adolescent anterior knee pain is pain that occurs in the front and center portion of the knee. This problem is often the result of poor alignment, over-training, heavy participation in sports or overuse. Adolescents are susceptible to this type of knee pain because of muscular imbalances in the quadriceps and hamstrings, poor flexibility, improper training techniques and poor alignment of knees, hips and ankles. Pain may occur at night and during participation in weight-bearing activities. A young soccer player may also hear a popping or crackling sound in the knee. Adolescent anterior knee pain is treated conservatively with rest, ice, exercises and anti-inflammatory medications.

Osgood-Schlatter's Disease

Osgood-Schlatter's disease, inflammation and swelling just below the kneecap, is another common cause of knee pain in young soccer players, especially adolescents. Pain in the front and top portion of the knee is an indicator of Osgood-Schlatter's disease. Children feel pain as they run, jump, squat, climb stairs and stretch their leg muscles. Osgood-Schlatter's disease is also treated conservatively. Treatment may include rest, ice and stretching the calf and hamstring muscles. Surgery is rarely required to treat this condition.

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Osteochondritis dissecans -- OCD -- can be aggravated by participation in soccer. This condition is the result of a bone fragment that causes pain, swelling, locking and irritation in the knee. The exact cause of this condition is unknown, but physicians believe it can occur as the result of previous trauma to the knee. OCD can be treated conservatively with rest, medications and activity modification. Surgery is also an option to remove the fragment. The recovery from surgery for OCD lasts four to six months.

Other Causes of Knee Pain

Youth soccer players can be stricken with a wide variety of other painful knee ailments that range from mild to severe. These include growth plate fractures, tumors, infection, patella dislocations, juvenile arthritis, knee deformities and meniscal injuries. Knee pain can also be the result of hip pain. It is very rare for children to sustain ligament injuries such as damage to the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. Children with ligament injuries are treated in the same way as adults -- with surgery to repair the damage.

References

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain
• KneeClinic.com: Knee Pain in Athletes