What is the Approach to the Adolescent With A-Traumatic/A-Septic Anterior Knee Pain?
A-traumatic anterior knee pain is a common presenting complaint of adolescents. The key elements in diagnosis and treatment include: history, focused physical examination, appropriate studies and knowledge of the common differential diagnosis. Common causes to be included in the differential diagnosis: • Tibial tuberosity apophysitis (Osgood-Schlatter Disease) • Tendonitis (Jumpers Knee) • Patello-femoral pain Syndrome • Osteochondritis Dissecans (O.C.D) • Referred Hip Pain (Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis) What are the key elements of a complete knee oriented history? Absence of trauma or signs of infection; sex and age of patient; degree of recent growth spurts; onset of pain (acute vs. chronic); location and quality of pain; duration and degree of symptoms; association with type and level of activity; presence or absence of swelling; locking; giving way; groin pain or other joint complaints; bruising; night waking; limp or other abnormality of gait (i.e., out-toeing); factors whic
