sore knees and high temperature.

[crkm]

DD (3.5) suffers from recurring painful knees. these episodes always coincide with a very high temperature. Both ailments subside together. She was getting it monthly but its been a 2/3 months since the last 'attack'. No other symptoms with the high temp - no headache/neckache or other pains - just sore knees. She wakes in the night with the pain and refuses to walk.

Have taken her to the doctor - but the appointment was at a time when she had no symptoms. They did say to take her back if it happens again - so will go next week. just wondered if anyone had had a similar experience and could shed any light on it.

Thanks

Do they get swollen? Is she able to walk on them?

Sounds like juvenile arthritis to be honest, I may be wrong though.

No swelling, and she often cries if she has to walk to nursery. Has been reluctant to walk places for a long time now. J.A was my thought too - will deffinately get back to the doctor.

I had regular attacks of acute pain in my knees - often at night after a busy day, but sometimes during the day too - from when I was about 3ish I think. I went on to develop juvenile arthritis at 9. However, my mother had the same knee pain as a small child and she didn't develop juvenile arthritis (though she has had some joint problems as an older adult). My guess would be that we both have a genetic tendency, but that mine was triggered into a full-blown auto-immune disease whereas hers wasn't.

Aspirin always worked best for me (much better than paracetamol, though I know you're not meant to give children aspirin now). Also trying to lie still, though it's very hard - lying still made it harder to bear for a few minutes but helped it pass more quickly. I always found that jiggling around took the edge of it because it was distracting but ultimately made the pain worse and last longer. She's maybe a bit young to explain that though, so just try to keep her calm and distracted. My father would stroke my knees for me and that helped a lot too - an alternative 'distracting' sensation is a great method of pain control. Also a hot water bottle (I still use that). And if it happens at night, give her some warm milk and perhaps a piece of bread or something - pain is much easier to bear if you boost your blood sugar a bit. I still use most of these techniques even now. Sorry if those were all really obvious!

Keep a diary of exactly what happens and when and take it to the GP with you. Keep logging it, and also write an account of what you can remember of the history up to this point, in case you eventually get referred to a consultant.

Thanks for the advice. We do stroke her legs - and she finds that comforting. The heat of the water bottle is a good idea, and i will keep a better log of when she suffers. My husband has problems with his knees - so maybe it is a genetic thing. Its horrible to see her suffer

Thought of something else - for me, the attacks of pain in my knees were triggered by more exercise than usual (unsurprisingly) but also by lack of movement - so a long car journey, for instance. Just thought I'd mention it in case it helps you spot a pattern.