Data shows that approximately 1 in 4 people suffers from chronic knee pain. When it comes to young adolescents, 1 out of every 3 teenagers experiences knee pain. This type of pain can commonly be attributed to aging, but when it occurs in a teenager, there are a few other causes that might be to blame.
The knee is composed of the tibia, femur and patella. The knee also consists of muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. The cause of knee pain can be diagnosed by a health care professional through X-rays and MRI imaging, to name a couple of commonly used diagnostic methods. Treatment often consists of medication and physical therapy.
3 potential causes of knee pain in teenagers
- Overuse or repeated stress ” Many young people participate in sports, which can involve repetitive movements. These repetitive movements can often lead to injury from overuse and physical stress on the body.
- Imbalance of muscles in thighs ” Pain in the knee can often be attributed to an imbalance or weakened quality of the hamstrings and quadriceps. Many people find that with intensive strength-building exercises centered on the hamstrings and quadriceps, that knee pain subsides.
- Serious disease ” In some cases, knee pain in teenagers can suggest the presence of a more serious underlying disease. This may include arthritis and Osgood-Schlatter disease.
How to treat teenage knee pain
For teenagers experiencing knee pain, seeking help from a physical therapist can be beneficial. During physical therapy, an experienced health care provider can help address the cause of knee pain in teenagers. They can help young teenagers come up with care plans to fit their active lifestyles and rebuild strength to avoid injury in the future. With physical therapy, patients can strengthen surrounding areas like the thigh muscles, the hips and abdominal muscles to support the knees.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for your teenage knee pain
At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we're proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that's close to you and that can help you address your knee pain as a teenager.
Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform.
Contact our team today so we can help you find the most effective physical therapy services for your injury or condition.
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