Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain)

Back to Patient Education

Introduction

Osgood-Schlatter Disease is actually a type of overuse injury and not a disease.  It affects the knees of growing children and adolescents who play sports that involve running or jumping.  The main symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease are pain and swelling.  The vast majority of youth with Osgood-Schlatter Disease are treated successfully with non-surgical methods, and the condition rarely causes permanent orthopedic problems.

Back to top

Anatomy

The knee is composed of three bones.  The thighbone (femur), sits on the larger leg bone (tibia).  The kneecap (patella) glides in a groove on the end of the femur.  Osgood-Schlatter Disease affects the tendon below the attachment site of the patella tendon located on the tibia (anterior tibial tubercle).
Back to top

Causes

The exact cause of Osgood-Schlatter Disease is unknown, but researchers suspect it results from a series of microfractures over time.  Osgood-Schlatter Disease develops in growing children between the ages of 10 and 15 who participate in sports that involve running or jumping.  It is more common among boys than girls. 
Back to top

Symptoms

The main symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease are pain, swelling, and tenderness in the area below the kneecap.  The pain may increase when the knee is bent. 
Back to top

Diagnosis

An orthopedic doctor can diagnose Osgood-Schlatter Disease by reviewing your child's medical history and examining his or her knee.  You should tell your doctor about sports or activities in which your child participates in that involve repetitive running or jumping.  X-rays will be ordered to rule out other causes of pain.
Back to top

Treatment

Most cases of Osgood-Schlatter Disease improve with rest, ice, and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS).  In rare cases, crutches and a cast or brace is used for about six to eight weeks.  In the majority of patients, Osgood-Schlatter Disease improves in a few weeks or months. 
 
The condition eventually goes away once a child has finished growing.  Individuals should be allowed to play sports as long as they do not have symptoms. Osgood-Schlatter Disease improves faster if activities are minimal.
Back to top

Surgery

It is very rare for Osgood-Schlatter Disease to require surgery.  A tibial sequestrectomy is used to remove structures on the knee (bursa, ossicle, prominence).  However, surgery on a growing bone is controversial.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

BUSINESS HOURS:
Monday – Friday
8AM – 5PM

THE SPINE INSTITUTE
13431 Old Meridian St.
Suite 200
Carmel, IN 46032

Phone: (317) 573-7733
Fax: 317-573-7739

Copyright · The Spine Institute, All Rights Reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

The Spine Institute of Indiana provides expert treatment for patients with simple to complex back and neck problems in Carmel, Indiana. We offer solutions for disc herniations, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, microdecompression, scoliosis, spondylolysis, spine tumors, and degenerative neck and back disorders. Our spine specialists use the latest technology in treating conditions of the spine and offer convenient, on-site X-rays and MRIs for a quicker diagnosis and treatment plan.