In this section I want to briefly talk about Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD): Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Were you an athletic child? Do you have or know of an athletic child? Did you or the child have pain in the bottom front portion of your/their knee? Was the pain in both knees? Did the pain resolve with rest or growing out of adolescents? If you answered yes to all these questions, then you may have or had Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD). Osgood-Schlatter disease sounds like a dreadful condition. While it is painful and somewhat debilitating, it is not life-threatening. Read below to learn about who may contract the disease and what treatments can relieve this condition.
What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD)?
● Although the causes are unknown, one theory suggests that the condition is a result of repeated contraction of the quadriceps muscles causing the proximal area of the patella tendon insertion to separate and cause the elevation of the chondrofibro-osseos tibial tubercle.
● Evidence from repetitive running, jumping, and gymnastic moves supports this theory, especially in young athletic patient populations in which OSD occurs more often.
● This disease occurs more in boys than girls.
● The prognosis is positive because the condition is self-limiting and resolves itself by the time patients are 18 years old when the tibial tubercle apophysis ossifies.
Signs and symptoms
● Front (anterior) knee tenderness occurs over the tibial tubercle during activities such as running, jumping, squatting, and ascending or descending stairs.
● Pain resolves with rest and activity modification.
● The disease usually develops in one knee but can sometimes occur in both knees.
Diagnosis
● Examination by your primary care provider for an accurate assessment and diagnosis
● X-rays
Treatment
● Activity limitations
● Rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the knee (R.I.C.E)
o Ice after activity at least 2 or 3 times per day for 20 or 30 minutes at a time
● NSAIDs (Advil or Ibuprofen)
● Protective padding
● Quadriceps and hamstring strengthening
● Time to heal
o Usually resolves itself with time and rest
o Surgery not necessary unless there are unhealed bone fragments
References
Barks. (2022) [Illustration]. Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee joint disease) illustration. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/osgoodschlatter-disease-knee-joint-illustration-1395320870
Gregory, J., & Young, C. (2019). Osgood-Schlatter Disease. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1993268-overview
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022). Osgood-Schlatter Disease. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/osgoodschlatter-disease#:~:text=Osgood%2DSchlatter%20disease%20is%20a%20condition%20that%20causes%20pain%20and,which%20stretches%20over%20the%20kneecap
Smith, J.M., & Varacallo, M. Osgood Schlatter Disease. [Updated 2022 Feb 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441995/