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What’s going on with DD’s knees?

36 replies

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 21:38

DD has had medical issues which caused her to be quite underweight for a number of years. Her weight has now recovered, and her health is much better, but she has had sore knees for what seems like forever. She wasn’t able to do physical exercise in any case, and this wasn’t as important as the other issues she had going on (gastric issues), so the focus of medical professionals was sort of consumed by the other stuff. However, the sore knees persist. Partcularly sore walking up stairs, going up hills etc. She doesn’t really do any running yet. They just seem to ache though and I’m worried. I just hope that this is something that i can help her to fix, and not something irreversible or indicative of other issues. I know it’s a vague question, but is there anything minor that could be causing this prolonged pain? She has had spells of a couple of months with no pain, but then it will return.

I have booked her a gp appointment and she is also being referred to for physio but curious if anyone here has any ideas?

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DoIdriveaVauxhallZafira · 19/02/2026 18:24

Sore knees were a thing for me before I had my first IBD flare so it's worth being sure that a diagnosis has been excluded.

However, given her lack physical activity and weakness, and her hypermobility, I think there's a good chance its muscularskeletal.

Have her seen by a physiotherapist and look at 1-2-1 pilates instruction - classes are fine but, especially when someone is hypermobile, you need to be certain you're getting the correct form.

My knees get painful when I've been ill for a while and recovered because of inactivity- they take the strain which should be taken by weakened and underused muscles.

Try not to worry.

HelicoPie · 19/02/2026 18:15

BeJollyStork · 19/02/2026 07:06

I haven’t really looked at her arches that closely. Will check today.

My flat feet caused sore hips and knees. Because you get pulled out of alignment. The insteps are an instant fix. And you can get strengthening exercises too.

BeJollyStork · 19/02/2026 07:06

I haven’t really looked at her arches that closely. Will check today.

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Whydidyougothere · 18/02/2026 23:30

I started having pain issues with my knees around 13. I was into football, cycling, roller skating etc. so it was assumed I just overdid it a lot to begin with.
My GP found my kneecaps moved way too much, and after tests was diagnosed with a condition with my knee tendons that is manageable with physiotherapy, although I haven't had physio for several years now.
About 4 years after that it was found I also had highly bridged feet. Special insoles and high top trainers help.

HelicoPie · 18/02/2026 23:05

I had this as a child. I’m also hyper mobile. For me it was flat feet. Hard insteps (ortha heel or similar) from boots cured it. Not the gel ones, the solid ones. When she stands up does her arch flatten?

LuciaMi · 18/02/2026 23:03

My brother had persistent knee pain through his teens, no one could ever figure out why despite many tests. When he was very late teens his knees started dislocating regularly and long story short, he had surgery on them to stop it happening and has been fine ever since. It was essentially a birth defect that was undetectable until the dislocating started.

OneHangryReader · 18/02/2026 22:59

Has she been tested for celiac disease? It can cause aches/pains/joint inflammation

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 22:52

EDS does frighten me. I just want her to be healthy, she has already been through so much.

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Indespairmum · 18/02/2026 22:44

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 22:43

I’ve actually already asked about EDS and been told it’s not that, by three different doctors.

They can be very dismissive and it can take years to get diagnosed. Especially as there’s not an exact test for for it.

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 22:43

I’ve actually already asked about EDS and been told it’s not that, by three different doctors.

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Indespairmum · 18/02/2026 22:41

Maybe look at Ehlers Danlos syndrome? Not as widely diagnosed but can impact joints and gastro. Good luck with it all

Seeline · 18/02/2026 22:41

If there is a possibility of hypermobility, combined with gastric issues, it might be worth looking at EDS. That needs a rheumatologist to diagnose as well.

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 22:28

I will ask about lymes disease tests and a rheumatology appointment, as well as the physio referral. I am feeling so upset with myself for not perusing this more over the last few years. Her weight and stomach issues seemed far more urgent, and I know they were, but I worry there’ll be lasting damage. 😢

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RampantIvy · 18/02/2026 22:17

It sounds like she needs to be referred to rheumatology.

Meh101 · 18/02/2026 22:15

Sounds like Osgood-Schlatter disease. I was very sporty/energetic and I had this when I was a child. it started during late primary school and continued on into secondary school on and off. It was very painful and I had alot of inflammation/swelling in both my knees and developed extra bone growth. Sometimes I would sit/bend down and wouldn't be able to get back up without help because it felt like my joints had locked and the pain was intense.

Eventually it resolved itself but it was horrible to go through and I was constantly having to take painkillers and use a compress for some relief.

CaragianettE · 18/02/2026 22:06

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 21:53

She had a tick bite a number of years ago. The other issues aren’t that well explained, but could she have had Lyme disease all this time???

Again I’m not an expert: but yes, if the tick had Lyme disease and she got it and it hasn’t been treated by antibiotics then yes, she could still have it. She can still receive treatment now, but she would need to be diagnosed with Lyme. I would see a GP and mention the tick bite if you haven’t done that already. If it is Lyme then the sooner she has treatment the better.

Overthehedgehog · 18/02/2026 22:06

Sent you a pm

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 22:05

SabbatWheel · 18/02/2026 22:00

Were the gastric issues linked to Crohns at all, as that can have joint pain in the major joints alongside the digestive track issues?

I believe chrons would have been ruled out due to the testing she has had.

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slumdogminulet · 18/02/2026 22:03

Osgood-Schlatters is very common in this age group, especially if your child has had a recent growth spurt. Definitely worth talking to GP to rule out anything else as well

SabbatWheel · 18/02/2026 22:00

Were the gastric issues linked to Crohns at all, as that can have joint pain in the major joints alongside the digestive track issues?

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 21:56

I’m quite afraid in case it’s something untreatable.

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LifesabagofRevels · 18/02/2026 21:55

My DS had Osgood Schlatters at that age.

BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 21:54

DD is 12.

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BeJollyStork · 18/02/2026 21:53

That terrifies me!!!

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