Information From Your Health Care Provider

OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE

(Osteochondrosis)

Basic information

description

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a common, temporary condition involving the knee and the shinbone (tibia). It occurs often in young athletes (boys more than girls) during the pre-teen or teenage growing years. One or both knees can be affected. Osgood-Schlatter disease is named for the two doctors who first described it.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Swelling, pain, and tenderness below the knee joint and over the shinbone. The symptoms may be mild to severe.
Pain worsens with activity and gets better with rest. Pain may occur with jumping, kneeling, running, climbing stairs, or anytime the knee is bent and extended.
Bony bump may be felt just below the kneecap. It may feel tender, warm, and hurt when pressed.

causes

It is thought to be a combination of rapid growth and stress on the knee joint due to overuse. The tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone becomes inflamed due to constant pulling by the quadriceps muscles. The tendon may stretch and tear away (called avulsion) from the tibia and take a piece of bone with it.

risk increases with

Sports and activities that involve running, jumping, cutting, or jogging.
Boys between 11 and 18. As more girls participate in sports, their risk of OSD increases.
Rapid skeletal growth.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures. Encourage a child to exercise moderately, avoiding extremes.

expected outcomes

Usually resolves on its own within one year. Some discomfort may persist for 2 to 3 years or until growth is completed. A permanent, painless bump may remain below the knee.

possible complications

In a few cases, chronic pain may occur.
Some adults who had OSD as a child have some pain when kneeling.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam of the leg and ask questions about your symptoms and activities. Medical tests may include an x-ray or bone scan of the knee to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment may involve ice or heat, drugs (if needed for pain), rest, and limits on sports activities.
Apply ice to the affected area several times a day for the first 2 to 3 days to reduce swelling and pain.
After a few days, heat may help discomfort. Use warm compresses, a heating pad, or take warm baths.
Stretching exercises may be prescribed.
Occasionally, other treatments may be recommended depending on symptoms. These may include using crutches, having a leg cast or splint, or wearing an elastic knee brace.
Surgery (rarely needed) if other treatment fails.

medications

For minor discomfort, you may use nonprescription drugs such as ibuprofen.

activity

Your health care provider will advise you of the limits on sports and activities. Each individual case is different. The usual recommendation is to stop any sports or activities that cause pain. Participation may be permitted when it does not cause pain. Resuming some activities too quickly could make the symptoms worse.
When you return to normal sports activities, recommendations may include wearing a knee brace, special insoles in your shoes, using heat before and ice on your knee after your activity, and stretching and strengthening exercises.
Physical therapy may be prescribed to help strengthen leg muscles. Exercises may be taught to do at home.