DD has random knee pain for months now

[Myira]

Hello all, I need the BBB’s help. So DD, who turns 12 next month has been complaining of random knee pain for months now. She says it started in March I do not recollect when. The only info on this is sometimes right knee and sometimes left, no pattern to it. She says initially it was only when dancing or going up stairs but now it’s even when walking. It does not always happen and the occurrence is random.
Pediatrician mentioned growing pains and recommend no further action. Now DD sees a allergy and immunology doctor for last 2 years who diagnosed her symptoms of random swelling on hands or palms as idiopathic angioedema and has put her on very low dose antihistamine like centrizine and Singulair for it. He even reduced it to once a day recently and she is in remission with no symptoms since the meds. He is confident the knee pain has nothing to do with this condition.

At this point, I think we need this looked at for sure. In fact I’m feeling guilt I let this be for months without getting answers. I’m wondering about something autoimmune, like lupus or RA. I just made an appointment with a pediatric rheumatologist.

Please hit me with any or all ideas. From my experience in the past, I’ve never gotten answers from any providers without having to throw ideas at them and getting them to investigate. TIA.


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[MSWR0319]

My son (who will also turn 12 next month) complained of knee pain this summer after activities (most swim) and I blew it off as just aches from growing. First practice this season he partially dislocated his knee and got a bone bruise from it moving. We found out that his knee cap is not centered, and he has weak muscles in his inner thighs. So now I feel bad that I blew the pain off because more than likely it was from the weak muscles and his knee cap moving but not fully dislocating. His pain was in one knee or the other, not always the same one because they both had the same issue. Can she pinpoint where the pain is?

[JustMe]

Hmmn, that is tricky. I would push on your ped. about your concern and ask for a referral to a specialist (not even sure what kind as there can be multiple, but my thought is that any specialist might know if a different type of specialist would be more indicated, if that makes sense). I am also wondering if it is an alignment issue; that would be a PT or maybe would be helped by orthotics.

OTOH, my dd had intense leg pain (dont remember where) when she was younger. She would scream and scream. My ped said growing pains, and I was convinced it was something more. It did turn out to be growing pains. That said, its good to rule out any other concerns.

[sariana]

Has she started her period? If not, how developed is she? I get knee pains, sometimes really bad, that seem to be connected to my cycle. The pain just shoots through my knee, either/or but usually not both at once, regardless of activity or lack thereof.

So could it be hormonal?

[Myira]

Has she started her period? If not, how developed is she? I get knee pains, sometimes really bad, that seem to be connected to my cycle. The pain just shoots through my knee, either/or but usually not both at once, regardless of activity or lack thereof.

So could it be hormonal?

Thanks everyone, I’m still reading all your suggestions. No she has not had her period and the ped said based on her development in a year or so she would be getting it.

Based on many of the above suggestions, I’m wondering about getting a ped orthopedics appt.


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[smilequeen]

Knee pain makes me think of this just because a hockey buddy of my son had it at about that age.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood–Schlatter_disease

[KpbS]

One of my DS had knee pain for about 18 months off and on and we finally went to a ped ortho to get it checked out. He prescribed PT which helped strengthen his quads and better stabilize his knees. DS did about 6 mo of PT and then started working out on a regular basis. He also takes vitamin D daily which helps.

[erosenst]

DD had knee pain - somewhat random, but got bad enough we went to orthopedic doctor. He did some imaging and testing and diagnosed with "likely chondromalacia". Prescribed PT which...didn't help a ton. Having said that - it's only 'irritating' to her, and we know it's nothing bad, so I'm glad we went.

[jse107]

Both my kids have Osgood-Schlatter, which does sound a bit like you're describing. Both kids get quite a bit of personal training, which has helped strengthen and stretch their legs.

[Melbel]

Migrating knee pain is a classic sign of Lyme disease ("Lyme arthritis") and March/early spring is a prime time to contract Lyme. "Idiopathic" angioedema is also suspicious for Lyme. As such, I would absolutely consider Lyme as part of the differential diagnosis, noting that standard laboratory tests can miss 1/2 of actual cases, especially if given too early/late or there are divergent strains. Left untreated, Lyme can disseminate and impact the heart and central nervous system. Most doctors are poorly trained on Lyme and the fallacies of Lyme testing unfortunately, which led to almost a year delay in our child's diagnosis with untold suffering. We were initially told our child's test was negative, only to later learn there were clear markers for Lyme on his Western Blot. To find a knowledgeable provider, you can contact www.ilads.org and/or a non-profit Lyme organization in your state. State or local Lyme support groups on Facebook are another great source to find good providers. Feel free to message me privately as well.