Knee pain? Im only 15?

Question

I have chronic knee pain, whenever i squat, or bend my knees, they hurt like hell, more pressure = more pain. Not always, but it can hurt more on some days than others. I'm only 15 - don't say arthritis. What could it be?

I'm also into hiking, running, and urban mountain biking, so could that have something to do with it?

Answer 1

Yes, being active can have a big impact on your joint health, even at a young age. Also, carrying a little extra weight, incorrect posture/gaits can affect your knees, hips, and ankles. Yeah, I would assume that it's not arthritis, but very young children can be diagnosed with arthritis. I suggest talking to your doctor, who might recommend a physical therapist or x-rays.

Answer 2

I've had chronic knee pain since I was 14 . I was extremely active hiking and mountain biking were a couple of my favorite activities. they actually gave me knee braces right around spring break my freshman year in high school(that was not cool), I was in so much pain though I was willing to try anything. Man I went to so many doctors and specialists nobody could figure out why my knees hurt so bad. I heard so many stories........ You have tendinitis, oh its growing pains,no wait its arthritis...at one point they put an injection into one of my knees(my right one usually hurt more than the left)I believe with cortisone. the injection actually stopped the pain for about two weeks then it came back ten times worse.sometimes I even had to use a cane(people look at teenagers funny when they are hobbling along with a cane)......after a couple years the pain kind of went away.....they never really told me what it was.. I'm 27 now , and sometimes the pain comes back during crazy weather changes..leaving me now to think....it could be arthritis.. But you need to see many different doctors.One might have run across something the other wasnt well aware of.Dont let the pain rule your life......I know the pain is hell!! Good Luck to you

Answer 3

It sounds like you have a hip that's rotated. If you do:
1. it will manifest after you've exercised for a lettile while.
2. it will manifest in the knee, ankle or lower back
3. lay on a flat surface and have some look at your ankles. with them insuring that your body is laying straight have them check if your ankle bones are exactly even. also, each hip has a point on the front of it. see if one of those points is higher than the other.

4. IF either is the case then you use the leg to rotate the hip back into place. You use the leg which has the ankle bone that is lower(if the same hip bone is not rotated lower then you have one leg shorter than the other)(that means a trip to the doctor and an orthotic).
you raise the leg up toward the shoulder(like you're trying to touch your shoulder with your knee,EXCEPT, keep your leg as straight as possible. this will rotate the hip back to the correct position. this will need to be done several times a day when you're active. you have to reeducate the muscle(neuromuscular re-education) you will find you can do this yourself. find something about knee to waist high and put your foot up on it and lean into your knee(just like you're stretching hamstrings) it only takes 10 or so seconds.
this rotated hip injury is normally caused by a "plant and twist" movement( I even did it carrying a 5# bag of groceries, and my speciality was sports injuries. It was raining and I did it trying to get into my car-I know when-I just don't know how.
NOW, if your ankle IS NOT lower! then you, probably, have strained a tendon or a ligament. HERE'S THE RULE!!!! you can do anything you want AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T CAUSE A SHARP PAIN. do some experimentation. if a movement does not cause pain then do it. if it causes pain then don't do it. this only applies to a sharp pain. a burning pain is muscle, a sharp pain is tendon or legament. a sharp pain means you're tearing it again, but do all movement possible. to quit using the muscles is a disaster.
The biggest thing you can do to help healing with a tendon or legament strain is heat. heat promotes blood flow, blood flow brings all the good stuff to the body and heals. remember, both tendon and ligament strains take a long time to heal. good luck

Answer 4

Only a doctor can tell you for certain. Don't rule out juvenile arthritis (it happens). More likely, you just put too much strain on your knees with all that activity. Try giving it a week's worth of rest then be sure to warm up before you go full throttle on any activity. I remember being that young and thinking I didn't have to stretch or warm up...stupid of me.

Hiking and mountain biking are less stressful on the knees than running btw so stick to those if you really have to get out and do something.

If it still hurts after a week....then time for that visit. Get an orthopedic consult if necessary.

Answer 5

Yes all those could have something to do with it. Also, no offense, but if you're possibly overweight, that could cause pain carrying the extra weight(I just had a baby, and my knees have gotten worse from the weight gain). Could be tendonitis, -I've had that too, very painful, can try some anti-inflammatory-advil, ibuprofen, etc. and some ice. Definitely see a doctor to make sure it's nothing serious.

Answer 6

I hate to burst your bubble, but it could be arthritis. I had a friend younger than you, who was diagnosed with it. You need to get to a doctor, because intense knee pain at your age is bad. Talk to your parents or guardian. All of your favorite activities can aggravate your knees, which I'm sure you know. Like I said, get to a doctor.

Answer 7

It's not arthritis......My daughter had the exact same symptoms and it was "Osgood-Schlatters" or called something like that. Go see an orthopedic doc.
She did therapy and at home excercises. It acted up last summer because she wasn't as active. During school year she has gym and 3 dance classes. She was able to keep up with dance classes because it was good therapy for her, not as strenuous.

Answer 8

Ok, I have a lot of knee problems in my family so maybe I can help. First, if you're significantly overweight -ask your doctor, not the mirror :) - then you're gonna have a whole list of health problems, including knee and back trouble.

But, if you're otherwise healthy, I'd check your feet. You might need to get some special inserts for your shoes to help even things out.

Seriously, talk to a licensed physician ASAP!

Answer 9

Keep ice bags in the freezer and ice you knee every night for 10 or 15 minutes. Make it a routine, every night deal and you will improve and be okay as long as you keep it up. Could likely be "growing pains" and go away when you stop growing. Good luck.

Answer 10

I had the same problem when i started running at 15, people say its growing pain. but my coach said it has to do with the type of shoes you wear. Running shoes are angled differently than other shoes for knee/back support, same applys to boots for hiking.. look into it.