Knee Pain in Teenage Athletes

Overview

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints in teenage athletes, especially during growth spurts and seasons with lots of running and jumping. The knee itself is rarely in serious danger — most of these injuries respond well to load management and strengthening.

The most common patterns are Osgood-Schlatter disease (pain on the bump below the kneecap), patellofemoral pain (pain around or behind the kneecap) and patellar tendon irritation (pain just below the kneecap).

What This Symptom Feels Like

Pain at the front of the knee, often below or around the kneecap
A tender, sometimes swollen bump below the kneecap (Osgood-Schlatter)
Pain with running, jumping, squatting, kneeling or stairs
Pain that eases with rest and returns with sport
Sometimes stiffness after sitting for a while

Common Causes

Osgood-Schlatter disease — irritation where the patellar tendon attaches to the shin, common during growth spurts
Patellofemoral pain — kneecap joint irritation, common in active teenagers
Patellar tendinopathy — tendon irritation below the kneecap, often with jumping sports
Growth-related tightness and load spikes — sudden increases in training, new sports or growth spurts

Anatomy Usually Involved

Kneecap (patella) — the bone that takes pressure with running and jumping
Patellar tendon — the tendon below the kneecap
Tibial tubercle — the shin bump where the tendon attaches

Questions to Ask Yourself

Where exactly is the pain — the bump below the kneecap, around the kneecap, or below it?
Did it start after a training increase, a growth spurt, or an injury?
Is there swelling, warmth, locking or giving way?
Does it hurt at rest or at night, or only with sport?
Is the pain getting better or worse over weeks?

When It's Usually Minor

Front knee pain that follows sport, eases with rest, and settles with sensible load management is the typical pattern for Osgood-Schlatter, patellofemoral pain and tendon irritation. These are common, treatable and usually settle without stopping sport entirely.

When To Seek Medical Care

Pain after a fall or collision with swelling, locking or an inability to bear weight
A knee that is hot, red or very swollen
Pain that wakes the teenager at night or is worse at rest
Progressive weakness, giving way or a feeling the knee is "out"
Pain that is not improving after several weeks of load adjustment

Self-Care Options

Reduce the spikes: lower training volume or intensity temporarily rather than stopping sport completely
Use knee pads for kneeling activities
Short-term pain relief if appropriate, and ice if it feels hot
Progress leg strengthening — the general knee loading principles apply to young athletes too
Return to full training gradually, guided by how the knee responds

Common Questions

Is Osgood-Schlatter disease serious?

No. It is a very common growth-related knee condition that settles as the skeleton matures, usually with load management and strengthening. The bump may remain but pain typically fades.

Should my teenager stop sports?

Usually not entirely. Reducing the sharpest loads — fewer jumps, less volume, more rest between sessions — while keeping light activity and strengthening is the typical approach. Total rest is rarely needed.

When should a teenager's knee pain be seen by a clinician?

Assess any knee that is hot, red or very swollen, follows a significant injury, locks or gives way, hurts at night, or is not improving after a few weeks of sensible adjustment.

References

AAOS OrthoInfo. "Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain)." https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/osgood-schlatter-disease-knee-pain
van Leeuwen GJ, et al. "Incidence and management of Osgood-Schlatter disease in general practice: retrospective cohort study." British Journal of General Practice. 2022;72(717):e301-e306. https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2021.0386
Willy RW, et al. "Patellofemoral Pain: Clinical Practice Guidelines." Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2019. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2019.0302

This information is for education only and is not a medical diagnosis. InjuryAtlas does not replace an assessment by a qualified health professional. If you have severe pain, visible deformity, numbness, loss of function, or symptoms that are getting worse, seek medical care promptly.