Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain
A teenager or young adult who is physically active and participates in sports may sometimes experience pain in the front and center of the knee, usually underneath the kneecap (patella). This condition—called adolescent anterior knee pain—commonly occurs in many healthy young athletes, especially girls. Adolescent anterior knee pain is not usually caused by a physical abnormality in the knee, but by overuse or a training routine that does not include adequate stretching or strengthening exercises. In most cases, simple measures like rest, over-the-counter medication, and strengthening exercises will relieve anterior knee pain and allow the young athlete to return to his or her favorite sports.
There are simple changes you can make to help relieve anterior knee pain.
Activity Changes
Stop doing the activities that make your knee hurt until the pain has resolved. This probably means changing your training routine. Switching to low-impact activities during this time will put less stress on your knee joint. Biking and swimming are good low-impact options. If you are overweight, losing weight will also help to reduce pressure on your knee.
Your knee pain may be related to your exercise technique. A trainer at school may be able to help you evaluate and improve upon your technique-such as how you land from a jump or push off from the starting block.
Resume running and other higher impact sports activities gradually.
Physical Therapy Exercises
Specific exercises will help you improve range of motion, strength, and endurance. It is especially important to focus on stretching and strengthening your quadriceps as these muscles are the main stabilizers of your kneecap. Your doctor may provide you with exercises or may recommend you visit a physical therapist who can develop an exercise program to improve your thigh muscle flexibility and strength.
It is very important to stick with the therapeutic exercise program for as long as your doctor or physical therapist prescribes. Anterior knee pain can return.
Ice
Applying ice after physical activity may relieve some discomfort. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Use an ice pack or wrap a towel around the ice or a package of frozen vegetables. Apply ice for about 20 minutes at a time.
Orthotics and Footwear
Your doctor may recommend shoe inserts. Soft-, firm- and hard-molded arch supports can help prevent the foot from overpronating and relieve pain and fatigue. Different types of arch supports can be purchased at your local drugstore.
Be sure that your athletic shoes provide the correct support for your activities.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen may help to relieve your pain. Always take these medicines with some food in order to avoid the potential side effect of stomach upset. If NSAIDs do not provide relief from the discomfort, consult your doctor for a more thorough evaluation.
Adolescent anterior knee pain is usually fully relieved with simple measures. It may recur, however, if you do not make adjustments to your training routine or activity level. It is essential to maintain appropriate conditioning of the muscles around the knee, particularly the quadriceps and hamstrings.
There are additional steps that you can take to prevent recurrence of anterior knee pain. They include:
- Wearing shoes appropriate to your activities
- Warming up thoroughly before physical activity
- Incorporating stretching into your warm up routine, and stretching after physical activity
- Reducing any activity that has hurt your knees in the past
- Limiting the total number of miles you run in training and competition
Visit Orthoinfo for more information.
If your adolescent is experiencing anterior knee pain, consult with Dr. Brian Waterman, a board-certified knee surgeon serving Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point, North Carolina. He specializes in diagnosing and treating knee pain in young patients, offering personalized care to help them stay active. Schedule an appointment today to explore effective treatment options.
At a Glance
Dr. Brian Waterman, MD
- Chief & Fellowship Director, Sports Medicine, Wake Forest
- Team Physician, Wake Forest University, Chicago White Sox
- Military affiliation/Decorated military officer and surgeon
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