It is an inflammation of the area just below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap (
If you are an adolescent and you have pain right below your kneecap, you may have Osgood-Schlatter disease. Your risk of developing the condition is higher if you play sports that involve jumping or bending your knees. A hard bump on the front of your knee above your shin is a sign of Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Osgood-Schlatter disease will almost always go away on its own once the child stops growing. Treatment includes: Resting the knee and decreasing activity when symptoms develop. Putting ice over the painful area 2 to 4 times a day, and after activities.
The tibia is the lower leg bone. Also called the shin bone, it is the second longest bone of the body, and is located below the knee. The fibula is the thin bone located on the outside of the tibia.
However, less active adolescents may also experience this problem. In most cases of Osgood-Schlatter disease, simple measures like rest, ice, over-the-counter medication, and stretching and strengthening exercises will relieve pain and allow a return to daily activities.
Pain Relief Medication
Inflammation in the soft tissue surrounding the tibial tubercle can add to this discomfort. Doctors may recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, to relieve inflammation and reduce pain. Many NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and naproxen, are available without a prescription.
OSD typically causes pain and swelling below the kneecap. The pain usually gets worse with running, jumping, going up stairs, and walking up hills. Severe pain may lead to limping. OSD can happen in one or both knees.
The main symptom of Osgood-Schlatter is pain at the bump below the knee with activity or after a fall. There may also be swelling around or enlargement of the bump. This bump is usually very tender to the touch. Forceful contraction of the thigh muscles can also cause pain.
Bones do not grow in the middle, but at the ends near the joint, in an area called the growth plate. While a child is still growing, these areas of growth are made of cartilage instead of bone. The cartilage is never as strong as the bone, so high levels of stress can cause the growth plate to begin to hurt and swell.
A diagnosis of Osgood-Schlatter condition is usually made after a careful physical examination and X-rays. Left untreated, Osgood-Schlatter usually goes away as children grow and the tibial tubercle fuses into the shin bone. However, doctors can treat even the most severe cases.
Depending on your level of activity and on the degree of pain and discomfort you are experiencing from Osgood-Schlatter disease, your doctor may suggest that you wear a protective knee brace or a light cast.
Pain will be worsened by sports involving repetitive or fast contractions of the quadriceps and particularly with kicking (football, soccer), jumping (netball, basketball, football) and running (pretty much every sport besides swimming, boxing, archery and golf).
Treatment of Osgood-Schlatter in adults
Generally, we treat this condition similar to patellar tendonitis in adults. First, we try simple treatments, such as reducing running and sports activity, ice, ibuprofen gel, and tablets. Also, exercise therapy similar to what is used for patellar tendonitis is tried.
Osgood-Schlatter disease treatments can include: R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease? OSD typically causes pain and swelling below the kneecap. The pain usually gets worse with running, jumping, going up stairs, and walking up hills. Severe pain may lead to limping.
Osgood-Schlatter can affect one or both knees. The main symptoms are swelling and pain below the knee and above the shin bone (tibia). Activities that require running, jumping, and climbing may make the pain worse.
Osgood-Schlatter disease typically affects kids during their preadolescent growth spurt: in the tweens (10 to 13) for girls and the early teens (12 to 14) for boys. At this stage, a child's bones are typically growing faster than the muscles and tendons.
Osgood-Schlatter disease usually resolves within 6 to 18 months. Though the bony prominence may persist when the pain is gone, activities may be resumed gradually. Once a person completes their growth cycle and the growth plates around the knee close, Osgood-Schlatter resolves without recurrence.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is an osteochondrosis, which is a group of disorders of the growth plates that occur when the child is growing rapidly. Doctors are not sure what causes osteochondrosis, but the disorders do seem to run in families.
Sit down on the floor, and place one leg over your other leg. Lean forwards gently and run your hands along your thighs, and as you come to your end of range you should feel a stretch to the back of your thigh (hamstring muscles). The stretch will feel stronger on the back leg. Hold the stretch.
The weakening of the tibial tubercle due to overstress and overuse leads to Osgood-Schlatter disease developing. Some of the symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease are: Pain, swelling or tenderness in the knee or lower leg. Increased warmth around the area of the tibial tubercle.