Risk Factors for Knee Pain in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Risk factors for knee pain in children and adolescents in the age between 10 to 15 years old were investigated. 835 subjects without knee pain were included. Factors for lower limb tightness, lower limb alignment were measured at baseline, and growth rate was calculated by monitoring height three times per year. A survey for physical activity and occurrence of knee pain was conducted every month by a self-reported questionnaire. New-onset knee pain was used as the objective variable, and school year, sex, growth rate, physical activity calculated by HSS Pedi-FABS, intercondylar distance, quadriceps angle, foot posture index, heel buttock distance, straight leg raise angle, and ankle dorsiflexion angle were used as explanatory variable to perform multiple logistic regression analysis. Higher school grade and higher physical activity were significant factors to predict occurrence of knee pain.