Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that can occur in children going through growth spurts. It is characterized by pain over the boney prominence on the shin bone just below the knee.
Activities like running, jumping and cutting can cause a child’s thigh muscles (quadriceps) to pull on the patellar tendon, which attaches the patella to the growth plate on the shin bone. Repeated excessive pulling from physical activity, along with the muscles and tendons becoming tight during a child’s growing years, are the causes of the pain. The condition is self-limiting, but learning how to manage it can help minimize symptoms and keep your child as active as possible.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are pain, tenderness to palpation, and swelling over the boney prominence on the shin bone just below the knee. Symptoms can be in one knee or both knees. Activities that commonly increase the pain are running, jumping and quick changes of direction.
What treatment can be done to help the symptoms?
- Rest and/or modified participation in physical activities that put increased stress on the knees
- Application of ice
- Wearing cushioned tennis shoes for exercise to help absorb shock and lessen impact on the knees
- Physical therapy evaluation and treatment, including recommendations for an exercise/stretching program and potential taping, bracing or arch support recommendations
- Use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication if recommended by your physician