Hi,
English is not my native language:-) My 14 year old has been dealing with knee pain for 18 months. She is a very active volleyball player and jumps a lot. Her pain started slowly at the lower-middle of the knee. And increased during the time to about 2' under the knee. She just took 3 weeks off. And had 2 practices and the pain is really bad that she can't really play / jump. I have taken her to few ortho specialists. She had x-rays last month and even MRI about 18 months ago. Both specialists claim that she has growing pains and nothing is wrong. But how can be nothing wrong when the pain is so bad that she can't play anymore. We are also going to PT, chiropractor and nothing helped yet. She is using foam roller daily as instructed. Her pain gets really bad when jumping. There is little bit of pain on the lower side of the knee. But mostly about 2' below the knee on the chin. Any ideas? Thank you very much.
Growing pains is a term used when certain parts of the joint isn't keeping up with the rest of the leg. Al most every kid has them to one degree or another. Generally rest is part of the process to relieve the pain. Kids hate to have to take it easy b it that's just part of it. I still remember hurting so bad that I would cry myself to sleep some nights. Then I was diagnosed with rheumatic fever when I was 14 and had to have 3 months of complete bed rest. That took care of growing pain problems. The faster the growth spurt the worse the pain. Ice after activity and use some form of anti inflammatory but be careful not to create stomach problems with too man drugs.
Thank you. I am really worried that she will have to quit a sport that she loves. I really wish she didn't love it as much. Beacuse it's killing me to see her cry during and after almost every practice. I just can't believe that it's that much pain. I wonder if her tendon is damage.
This isn't a long term thing. Generally a year of slowing down a bit and the body will make the adjustments. If you can find a children's or pediatric orthopod you will be far better off. Even a sports medicine group would be a start. The treating Dr should definitely be oriented to young athletes.
Well, she is on my country youth national team. We mentioned it to the coaches. But they kind of didn't think it's a big deal. Because she is trying to hide the pain and perform at her best. Our team doctor knows about it. But says the same: just deal with the pain. We did see few different orthopedist who claim to be sports doctors. But I really have a doubt since most ortho say they are these days. I am considering to take her to pediatric ortho. We are kind of getting to the end of solutions. The pain is getting worse and even taking 3 weeks off doesnt help. She is ok during the break. Didn't feel any pain but once getting back to practice. She is much worse than before the Holidays.