KNEE

In children, Patella Instability refers to the kneecap (patella) moving out of its normal position in the knee joint, often due to a direct blow, sudden twist, or inherent joint laxity, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty in straightening the knee.

In paediatric patients, a first-time patella dislocation typically occurs due to an injury or sudden movement, causing the kneecap to move out of place, while recurrent patella dislocations happen when the knee becomes more susceptible to dislocating again after the initial incident, often with less force required.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease: This condition in children and adolescents involves inflammation and pain at the tibial tuberosity, the bony bump below the knee. It’s often caused by repetitive stress on the growth plate in the area, especially in active children.

Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome: Similar to Osgood-Schlatter, this syndrome occurs in growing children and involves pain and inflammation at the lower part of the kneecap, often related to repetitive stress or overuse, particularly in sports that involve jumping and running.

In children, “bowed knees” (genu varum) refers to a condition where the legs curve outward, creating a noticeable gap between the knees when standing straight. “Knocked knees” (genu valgum) is the opposite, where the knees angle inward and touch each other while the ankles remain apart. Both conditions are common in childhood development and usually correct themselves over time, but severe cases may require medical intervention.

In children, an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture involves the tearing of the ACL, a key ligament in the knee, often due to sudden stops, changes in direction, or direct impacts. This injury can cause knee instability, pain, and swelling, and is a concern in paediatric sports medicine.

In children, a meniscal tear refers to an injury to the meniscus, the cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber. This type of tear can result from twisting or turning quickly, often during sports, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee.

Salter-Harris fractures are injuries to the growth plate area of a child’s bone and are categorised into five types, each varying in severity and impact on future bone growth.

Patella fractures in children involve the breaking of the kneecap bone (patella), often due to a direct blow or a fall on the knee. These fractures can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty in bending or straightening the knee, requiring medical evaluation and treatment for proper healing.

Femoral fractures in children refer to breaks in the femur, the thigh bone. These fractures can occur as a result of significant trauma, falls, or accidents, and may require surgical intervention for proper alignment and healing in paediatric patients.

Tibial fractures in children involve breaks in the tibia, the larger of the two lower leg bones. These fractures can occur due to various reasons, including falls, sports injuries, or accidents, and may necessitate medical attention to ensure proper healing and restoration of leg function.

Stress fractures in children occur when a bone is unable to withstand normal stress or load due to weakened bone structure, often seen in metabolic conditions or as result of osteoporosis or as a result of repetitive activities. These fractures can happen in various bones and may require special attention, especially in paediatric patients with underlying medical conditions.

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in paediatric patients is a critical ligament in the knee that provides stability and controls the forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) in relation to the femur (thigh bone). Injuries to the ACL, often seen in active children and adolescents, can result from sudden twists or impacts to the knee and may require surgical intervention to regain stability and function in the knee joint.

The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) in paediatric patients is a ligament that runs along the inner side of the knee joint, providing stability and preventing excessive sideways movement of the knee. Injuries to the MCL can occur in children due to forces that push the knee outward, such as twisting or direct impact. These injuries may lead to pain, swelling, and instability of the knee, and often heal well with conservative treatment like rest and physical therapy in paediatric cases.

The Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) in paediatric patients is a ligament located on the outer side of the knee joint. It plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee and preventing excessive sideways movement, particularly in the direction of the inner knee. Injuries to the LCL can occur in children, often due to forces that push the knee inward, and may result in pain, swelling, and instability of the knee. Treatment for LCL injuries in paediatric cases may include rest, physical therapy, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.

Runner’s Knee, also known as iliotibial band (ITB) injury, is a common condition in paediatric and adolescent athletes, particularly runners and cyclists. It involves pain and inflammation on the outer side of the knee where the ITB, a thick band of connective tissue, rubs against the femur (thigh bone). This condition can result from overuse or improper biomechanics and may require rest, physical therapy, and adjustments to training techniques to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence in young athletes.

Jumpers Knee, also known as Patella Tendonitis, is a condition that affects the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). In paediatric patients, particularly in active individuals involved in sports like basketball or volleyball, this condition can occur due to repetitive jumping and landing. It leads to pain and inflammation in the front of the knee. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy, and modifying activity to allow the tendon to heal properly and reduce strain on it.

Patella Tendon Rupture in paediatric patients is a severe injury involving a complete tear of the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). This injury can result from sudden forceful contractions of the quadriceps muscles or a direct impact to the knee. It leads to a loss of knee extension and difficulty in walking. Patella tendon ruptures in children often require surgical repair followed by rehabilitation to regain knee function and strength.

Leg length discrepancy in paediatric patients refers to a condition where one leg is shorter than the other. This discrepancy can result from various factors, including developmental issues, fractures, or medical conditions. It may cause problems with posture, walking, and alignment in children, and treatment options may include orthotics, surgical interventions, or other therapeutic measures to address the imbalance and improve function.

Genu Varus, commonly known as “bow-legged” or Blount’s Disease in paediatric patients, is a condition where the legs appear to curve outward at the knees, creating a distinct bow-legged appearance. Blount’s Disease is a more severe and pathological form of genu varus and typically develops during early childhood. It results from abnormal growth at the upper part of the tibia (shinbone) and can lead to deformity if left untreated. Management may involve bracing or surgical intervention in severe cases to correct the alignment of the legs.

Genu Valgus, commonly known as “knocked knees,” is a condition in paediatric patients where the knees angle inward and touch each other while the ankles remain apart, resulting in a noticeable gap between the ankles. This condition is often seen in young children as part of their normal growth and development and typically corrects itself as they grow older. However, severe or persistent cases may require medical evaluation and possible intervention to address the alignment of the legs.

Meniscal tears in paediatric patients involve damage to the meniscus, which is a wedge-shaped cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber. These tears can occur due to twisting or direct force on the knee and may result in symptoms like pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Treatment options for meniscal tears in children may include rest, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgical intervention to repair or remove the damaged tissue, depending on the severity and location of the tear.

Discoid Meniscus is a condition that can affect the knee joint in paediatric patients. It involves an abnormally shaped meniscus, which is the wedge-shaped cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber. In this condition, the meniscus is thicker and more disc-shaped than the typical crescent shape. Discoid meniscus can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and a feeling of instability in the knee. Treatment options may include observation, physical therapy, or, in some cases, surgical intervention to address the abnormal shape of the meniscus and alleviate symptoms.

Baker’s Cyst injuries in paediatric patients involve damage or inflammation of a Baker’s cyst, which is a fluid-filled sac that can develop behind the knee. These cysts can form as a result of underlying knee conditions, such as arthritis or meniscal tears, and may cause swelling and discomfort at the back of the knee. Treatment for Baker’s Cyst injuries in children typically focuses on addressing the underlying knee issue and managing symptoms, which may include rest, physical therapy, medications, or, in some cases, drainage of the cyst.