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Sports Illustrated guide

# Pain at the front of the knee: activity and assessment

Three illustrated messages on anterior knee pain, adapting activity and symptoms needing assessment. This is not an exercise programme.

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![A teenager pointing to the front of the knee during a discussion with the doctor and mother.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/illustrated-guides/ginocchio-anteriore-sede-v1.webp)

![A teenager pointing to the front of the knee during a discussion with the doctor and mother.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/b390c26224ca08de.webp)

01

## One area, different causes

Pain at the front of the knee is not a single diagnosis. Location, activity and examination help distinguish the causes.

![A young basketball player seated and discussing knee pain with the coach, with the ball resting beside them.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/illustrated-guides/ginocchio-anteriore-carico-v1.webp)

![A young basketball player seated and discussing knee pain with the coach, with the ball resting beside them.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/82a512e225995bbc.webp)

02

## Adapt the activity

Reduce or stop painful activities. Exercises and return to sport depend on the diagnosis and response to loading.

![A doctor assessing a swollen, red knee in a teenager, with the mother present.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/illustrated-guides/ginocchio-anteriore-visita-v1.webp)

![A doctor assessing a swollen, red knee in a teenager, with the mother present.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/770cc13885302b46.webp)

03

## Do not dismiss it as growth

Significant swelling, locking or giving way need assessment. Fever with a painful knee or inability to walk needs urgent care.

General information; this guide does not replace an individual medical assessment.

[Dr Daniele Priano — Paediatric orthopaedics](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/about)

[Condition information →](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/anterior-knee-pain)

## Sources
- [AAOS — Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/adolescent-anterior-knee-pain)
- [AAOS — Osgood-Schlatter Disease](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/osgood-schlatter-disease-knee-pain/)
- [RCH — Bone and joint infection](https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Bone_and_joint_infection/)

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