Knee Case Study Week 3 Subjective

 Referral[edit | edit source]

14 year old boy called James has bilateral knee pain right worse than left worsening over the last 12 months

Subjective:[edit | edit source]

History of Presenting Condition[edit | edit source]

12 month history of bilateral knee pain. James initially started to notice pain in his right knee after doing sport, he would find that it ached quite a lot, but the next morning it would be pain free again. Approximately 3 months after he started to notice that both knees would be hurting after he had played a football game or done a physical education session at school.


His mother took him to the doctors 6 months ago and was diagnoses with normal ‘growing pains’ and was advised that this would pass. His knee pain has now become so painful that he really struggles to do any form of physical activity, therefore his mother took him back to the doctor who has now referred him to Physiotherapy.

Presenting Condition [edit | edit source]

  • Pain over the anterior aspect of both knees, has noticed there is some swelling the right again is worse than left.
  • Right and left pain are symmetrical but James reports the pain in his right to be 8/10 during sport and the left 6/10 these pains settle with rest but are now taking longer to settle and can keep him awake at night time if he has done a lot of sport in the day.
  • Aggravating factors; playing football, running up and down the stairs, touching the fronts of his knees.
  • Easing factors: Rest, paracetamol and ice.
  • Diurnal pattern - nil just activity dependant
  • No locking / clicking / giving way

Past Medical History[edit | edit source]

Nil no childhood illnesses, has grown from 4 foot 10” to 5 foot 8” in the last 12 months

Drug History [edit | edit source]

Paracetamol PRN

Social History[edit | edit source]

At school, enjoys PE and maths, plays for a local football academy and the local football team. He trains Tuesday and Thursday evenings with the academy and a Wednesday evening with the school team. His school games are on a Monday evening and academy games are on a Saturday and his local team have games on a Sunday. He plays in goal and has no substitute. He is hoping to become a professional football player.