My 11 year old daughter is having joint pain/swelling in her knee's

Hi everybody,

For several months my 11 year old daughter has been complainig of joint pain in both of her knees but mostly the right knee.  In the past few weeks she has experienced swelling and I'm beginning to get concerned...she has been in competitive cheerleading for the past 5 years and has had a few knee injuries along the way and I'm wondering if this is the cause of her pain and swelling? or if it is something more serious since I suffer from sero-negative RA.  However, I don't want to become paranoid just because I have RA but the swelling has me worried!  At this point I'm ready to take her in and get her checked out but I don't know if I should take her into a regular primary care doctor or one who specializes in sports medicine.  Is it possible to have swelling that comes and goes from just over use? Or is it possible she could have something more serious?

Any thoughts?

I agree with Judilyn. Take her to a sport medicine doctor. Her years as a competive cheerleader and previous injuries point to a probable link nit likely an autoimmune issue. My daughter was a competitive gymnast for 9 years and she suffered from periodic joint swelling from a variety of causes, but most often - overuse on a previous strain. It is important to address these issues now because adolescent competitive athletes can suffer injuries that develop into arthritis problems in later years. My daughter has osteoarthritis since her 20s from the overuse.

It might be bursitis, if she has been overusing the joints.  I have had that and it hurts, it feels like arthritis but it is not as bad.  But take her in to see her family doctor and see what he/she has to say.  Try some tylenol for the pain to see if that helps.

I have three kids 15, 13, and 9 all suffer from swollen sore knees and have been diagnosed with Oswald Slatter's disease. It's when the bones grow and put the tendons under pressure because the muscles haven't grown enough yet. I'm explaining it badly. It's very common in growing children, especially sporty kids (mine all play soccer, compete at athletics, dance etc) Has your daughter had a recent growth spurt? It could be the same thing. Treatment is rest, ice, elevation take an anti inflammatory at night for pain. And they grow out of it once they stop growing. Sometimes we get phsio if the pain doesn't settle after a few days. They have to really stretch before exercising as well, especially if it's cold. I hope it's the same thing.

Hey Momto, I spelt it wrong. Osgood Schlatters disease is what my kids have. How is your daughter doing?

Hi mom,
Yes all my kids have it but in slightly different locations. I'd say it depends on which muscle groups they're using. I don't know about elbows though? But I guess if she's cheerleading she would use arms as much as legs. My youngest use to get it as a toddler jumping waves, the others didn't start until around 10, but any growth spurt we know we're in for ice packs and lots of stretching exercises. If it seems out of hand we go to a sports physio. My middle child who seems to be all legs, gets knees as well as heals and we use orthotics to help him. My 15 year old has just been recommended to get orthotics too to help take the pressure off the knees.
I hope you get some answers soon, I hate it when my kids are in pain, you feel it for them.

I am so sorry your daughter is going through this. But I understand 100%. At the age of 12 I began having pain in my right knee. It progressively got worse and turned into not just pain but intense swelling. Finally my mother took me to our family doctor about it and he sent us on to a pediatric rheumaologist. Shortly after I turned 13 I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I couldn't believe it... I never knew people my age could have arhritis!
I am now 20 and still have JRA. Some people can grow out it, so I've been told. I choose to believe that. It just jasn't happened for me yet. :) I now have JRA in all joints except (normally) my shoulders, neck, hips, and back (Thank God!!)
Over the years I have been to many doctors and have tried methotrextate (made me feel sick, didn't do much for the pain and swelling, and made my hair fall out a month after I quit taking it), Enbrel (may have helped some, but not enough at the time for me to want to continue), Ibuprofen (took very high amounts - 600 mg 3x a day, 7 days a week for a few years... amazingly no known damage caused by that!!), other otc meds that did not help very much for very long, and right now I am on Prednisone. It is AMAZING. However, I have been taking roughly 10mg-20mg/day for about 5 months now. I HAVE finally experienced the side effects of weight gain (10+ lbs w/in 2months) and "moon face". Please if your daughter needs to be on Prednisone for any amount of time try to keep the dosage low and do not use it for more than a month or two! This is my only option for right now b/c I am currently w/o insurance. As soon as possible I will be trying to get something better!
A BIG BIG HELP are the steroid injections I get in my knees and have also gotten in my elbows. At this point I need knee and elbow replacements. With prednisone, I live and function JUST like everyone else :) The 2-3 times I have been off of it in the past 5 months I have ended up bedridden. I highly highly recommend the injections- hurts to get them but when they are done right the swelling, pain, and inflamation go away. How long this lasts depends on the person getting them, type used, and how well the doctor gets it into the joint.

I have gabbed enough so a few last pieces of advice:
-Encourage her. Don't let her get down. JRA and the pain that comes with it is VERY VERY tough on her, you, and the entire family. (IF that is what she has!) But with love, perseverance, hope, and FAITH, she will be ok!
-Try Barbara Allen's diet before she gets into any major meds. When stuck to, it works wonders. It is very hard to do but with your help she can do it. This is the only way I have been able to stay off of medicine in the past. (Should get the willpower to do it again!)
-Don't let her bones deteriorate like mine have. If a complete diet change is not enough, she should probably be on something to control the inflamation and protect her joints.
-Make sure she stays active. A sedentary life- no matter how great the pain- will only make matters worse. She needs to keep her muscles strong to help support those joints.
-Educate yourselves on all possible conditions and treatments. This, besides faith and a positive attitude, will be your best defense.

Alright alright I'm done. For now. But if you ever need advice, have questions, or anything at all- I would be more than happy to talk to you or your daughter!
:)

Fiamma della Farfalla,
I just wanted to tell you that I love your name. Best name of 2008. It sounds
like the heroine in an off-center romance novel.
I'd like to make a commandment that your were well for the New Year. '
Pamela Neckpain