Osgood-Schlatters Disease

What is Osgood Schlatters disease?

It is common for young athletes and children complaining of knee pain to be suffering with Osgood Schlatters disease. It is an inflammation of the bony protrusion below the knee (called the tibial tuberosity or tubercle). It mainly affects boys aged 10 to 16 years old and will clear up when they stop growing and the tendons become stronger, however, it can rarely persist into adulthood.

Symptoms of osgood schlatters disease:

• There is normally swelling just below the knee at the bony bit at the top of the shin.
• This area may be tender and painful during and after exercise.
• Contracting the muscles in a straight leg or contracting the quadriceps against resistance will cause pain.

Causes

Overuse can tug the patella tendon away from its insertion point at the tibial tuberosity causing inflammation. Often seen in children involved in running and jumping activities. The continued trauma causes new bone to grow back during the healing, this can cause the bony lump which is often felt at this point.

Osgood schlatters disease treatment

• You need a correct diagnosis so see a sports injury professional. They will check that it is not anything else causing the pain.
• Rest. As with most injuries it needs time if it is to heal properly. You can exercise but only do as much as doesn't cause any pain. Weight bearing exercise will make it worse. Keep your sessions few and high quality rather than train every day.
• Cold therapy regularly during the day.
• Use a knee support or brace to help reduce the tension on the knee.

• Perform an X ray to check the extent of the damage.
• A plaster cast may be necessary for three weeks if pain is severe.
• Prescribe an exercise programme that will allow you to do as much exercise as possible and get the best results from your training.
  

Useful Products:

• Cold Therapy - apply ice or cold therapy to help ease pain and inflammation.
• Knee Supports - a neoprene knee support provides compression and support to the knee in general and retains the bodies natural heat. A warm tendon will work much better than a cold one.
• Patella Tendon Strap - a strap that wraps around just below the knee to support the patella tendon.

Please see Sportsinjuryclinic.net for more information on how to treat Osgood-Schlatters Disease and other causes of knee pain.