My 10 year old son is complaining of knee pain. There has been no trauma. What can it possibly be?

Hi Kathkoth,

My sons have had this issue from time to time. You say there has been no trauma. Does your son carry a backpack that weighs more than 10% of his body weight?

My sons have developed problems from carrying very heavy backpacks (45 to 50 pounds!). The first way to solve this is to lighten up the backpack any way you can or invest in a rolling backpack. 

The second step is to invest in a good pair of shoes with proper support. New Balance is one company that makes supportive shoes for youngsters. Not all of the most popular brands have enough support. Find a shoe store that specializes in children's shoes and make sure they measure your son's feet. 

If your son plays sports, make sure he is warming up beforehand and is using proper form. Sports injuries in children are more common these days.

But, if you have already taken these steps, then checking with your family doctor would be a good idea.

Best,

CK Wilde