What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

Osgood-Schlatter is not really a disease; but an overuse injury that causes knee pain in young athletes most commonly between the ages of 9 and 16 years. It  is characterized by activity-related pain that occurs a few inches below the knee-cap on the front of the knee that may include swelling and tenderness.

WHAT CAUSES OSGOOD-SCHLATTER? What happens is the pull of the large powerful muscles in the front of the thigh (quadriceps) is what causes Osgood-Schlatter disease. The quadriceps join with the patellar tendons, which run through the knee and into the shin bone, to connect the muscles to the knee. When the quadriceps contract, the patellar tendons can start to pull away from the shin bone, causing pain.

The three main factors that contribute to Osgood-Schlatter are:

1.Boy or girl 9 -16 years old.

2.Involved in youth sports.

3.Having a “growth spurt”.

WHEN TO SEEK TREATMENT? For some children, the pain goes away on its own once the bone stops growing. For others, the pain lasts longer and begins to interfere with not only sports but with everyday activities. That is when it’s time to see a doctor. A doctor that specializes in sports medicine.

HOW IS IT TREATED?  Treatment will begin with rest from the activities that cause knee pain. Ice packs should be applied to the knee for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away. An effective treatment  may also include physical therapy. They can teach your child exercises to stretch the thigh’s quadriceps and hamstring muscles, which may help reduce the tension on the spot where the kneecap’s tendon attaches to the shinbone. Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps can help stabilize the knee joint.

The goal of rehabilitation is to return your child to his or her sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If a child is returned too soon the injury may worsen leading to permanent damage. Returning to activity will be determined by how quick the knee recovers. The longer the child has been experiencing symptoms before starting treatment, the longer it will take to get better.