Osgood-Schlatter Disease Explained
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a frequent cause of knee pain in adolescents during their growth years. It occurs due to irritation in the area just below the knee, where the patellar tendon connects to the shinbone (tibia).
This condition is most common during growth spurts when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are rapidly changing. Physical activity, particularly in sports that involve running and jumping, can increase stress on these growing bones and muscles, raising the risk of developing Osgood-Schlatter disease. However, less active adolescents can also be affected.
In most instances, Osgood-Schlatter disease can be managed with simple methods such as rest, applying ice, using over-the-counter pain relievers, and performing stretching and strengthening exercises, which can help alleviate pain and support a return to regular activities.
Causes
Children and adolescents have a unique area in their bones known as the growth plate, where bone development occurs. Growth plates are made of cartilage and are located near the ends of bones. Once a child reaches full maturity, these growth plates solidify into hard bone.
Some growth plates act as attachment points for tendons, the strong tissues that link muscles to bones. At the end of the tibia, a bony bump called the tibial tubercle covers one such growth plate. The quadriceps, a muscle group in the front of the thigh, attaches to this tibial tubercle.
During physical activity, the quadriceps muscles pull on the patellar tendon, which in turn exerts pressure on the tibial tubercle. In some children, this repeated pulling can irritate the growth plate, causing the tibial tubercle to become more prominent or pronounced.
Common Causes
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Growth Spurts: When kids grow quickly, their bones grow faster than their muscles and tendons, which can create tension.
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Active Sports: Sports that involve a lot of running, jumping, or kneeling can put extra stress on the knee.
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Tight Muscles: If the muscles in the legs are tight, they can pull more on the knee and subsequently the bone, causing discomfort.
How is it Diagnosed?
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Talking About Symptoms: A physiotherapist will ask about when the pain started, what activities make it worse, and sports participation.
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Physical Examination: They will look at how the knee moves and feel for any swelling or tenderness particularly by applying pressure at the tibial tubercle (the bony point at the front of the knee). It is expected that with Osgood-Schlatter's disease this point is painful.
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Movement Tests: They might have the child do certain movements to see how the knee responds particularly running, jumping or kneeling to see if this reproduces the pain
Osgood-Schlatter Treatment Options in North Sydney
Treatment for Osgood-Schlatter disease focuses on reducing pain and swelling, making it easier for children to stay active.
In more severe cases, where your child experiences significant pain even at rest or has difficulty walking, it may be necessary to temporarily limit physical activity while starting a stretching and strengthening program, such as those offered by Urban Physiotherapy North Sydney.
Some pain may persist until the growth plate fully closes, but the aim is to manage it so that it becomes a mild, dull ache that doesn’t restrict your child’s ability to participate in sports and subsides quickly after activities. Urban Physiotherapy North Sydney offers personalized programs to help achieve this balance.
It’s important to know that continued physical activity won't cause long-term knee damage, and children can safely engage in sports as long as they can tolerate the discomfort.
However, if the pain starts to take the enjoyment out of activities, or if your child is considering stopping due to pain despite following the recommended treatment methods, it's advisable to consult a physiotherapist at Urban Physiotherapy North Sydney to explore activity modifications and advanced treatment options.
Treatment Tips:
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Rest and Activity Changes: Reducing activities that cause pain and focusing on low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling.
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Strengthening Exercises: Doing exercises to strengthen the thigh and hip muscles, which helps support the knee.
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Stretching: Regularly stretching the leg muscles to relieve tightness.
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Ice Therapy: Applying ice after activities to help reduce swelling and pain.
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Supportive Gear: Using knee pads or braces for extra support during sports.
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Education: Teaching proper warm-up and cool-down techniques to prevent pain.
Resolving Osgood-Schlatter's Disease
Most symptoms typically resolve once a child completes their adolescent growth spurt, which is around age 14 for girls and age 16 for boys. As a result, surgery is rarely necessary.
However, the prominence of the tibial tubercle may remain or even increase in size until the child’s growth is complete.
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