Osgood-Schlatter disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that causes knee pain in adolescents. It usually affects boys between the ages of about 11 to 15 years, and girls 8 to 13 years of age. 

Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by the overuse of quadricep (thigh) muscles putting repeated strain on the patella (kneecap) tendon that attaches to the tibia (shin) bone. Overuse of quadricep muscles commonly happens in sports that involve a lot of running, jumping or kicking.

Common symptoms include pain just below your kneecap that gets worse with activity. Sometimes a small hard bony bump can form there. Symptoms may last for several months and may come and go during growth periods (for up to 24 months). It almost always gets better once the growth spurt is over. 

If treatment's needed it may include activity modification (eg, doing less running and jumping), taking pain relief medicines and physiotherapy. Some people may need to take a short period of rest or use knee support. Surgery is rarely needed. 

Osgood-Schlatter disease affects the upper part of your shin bone (tibia) due to the overuse of the quadricep muscles (located on the front of your thigh). 

During adolescence, the tibia is still growing. Overuse of the quadricep muscles can put stress on the tendon that attaches the patella (kneecap) to the upper part of the growing tibia. This causes irritation of the soft growth area where they connect, and leads to pain just below the kneecap.

Sometimes the tendon can pull a small flake of bone off the tibia and cause a callus (healing bone) to form. This can cause a hard bony bump. 

You're at greater risk of getting Osgood-Schlatter disease if you're:

• a boy
• a teenager
• playing a lot of sports that involve kicking, running or jumping.

Common symptoms include:

• pain just below your kneecap that gets worse during and after activity
• pain that gets better after resting
• pain that can last for a few months and up to 2 years
• a small, hard and tender bony bump or swelling under your kneecap.

Symptoms usually happen on one side but can also happen on both knees. Knee movement isn't affected.

Image credit: Depositphotos

Your healthcare provider will ask you questions related to your symptoms and examine your knee area. They may also order a knee X-ray to rule out other conditions. 

Osgood-Schlatter disease isn't serious or harmful. It usually goes away by itself without any treatment once the tibia (shin bone) has stopped growing. 

If treatment is needed, it will focus on relieving your symptoms:

• Rest and activity: Most people will be encouraged to stay active. The aim will be to find the right balance between rest and activity. Your healthcare provider may make recommendations about the activity type, and discuss changes, alternatives, timing and frequency of your activity.
• Icing: Applying ice (in a bag or tea towel) to your knee for 15 to 20 minutes at a time after activity or sports may be helpful. 
• Pain relief medicines: A short course of pain relief medicines may be helpful to manage discomfort. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about which medicine is the best for you.  
• Physiotherapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises are particularly helpful to strengthen the muscles around your knee, helping to reduce pain. 
• Knee support: If it's advised by your healthcare provider, using knee tape, a splint or crutches for a limited amount of time may help. 
• Surgery: Very rarely, surgery may be done to remove the bony bump if your symptoms don't go away after the above treatment. 

Apps reviewed by Healthify

You may find it useful to look at some physiotherapy and exercise apps.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is not a serious or harmful condition. It usually goes away by itself after several weeks to months without any treatment once the tibia is fully grown.