Osgood-Schlatter Disease

The athletically minded aged 10 to 15 year old youngster can get a pain on one side of the knee. The pain is localized at the insertion of the quadriceps tendon (patellar tendon) at the "tibial tubercle". This anatomical location is at the upper end of the tibia bone.

As the bone is still growing at this age, the growth plate in this location experiences a growth plate injury much easier with excessive traction from resisted knee extension. Running, soccer playing and other sports are all high risk activities in this age group.

Knee X-rays taken from the side show a profile of this area and demonstrate fragmentation of the tibial tubercle allowing the physician to diagnose Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease consists of rest, avoiding the sport that precipitated this including excessive exercises that would have involved resisted knee extension. Unfortunately it takes often several weeks or even months before Osgood-Schlatter disease heals, but it usually heals without any complications. More complicated or chronic forms need attention from an orthopedic surgeon. Surgery is rarely required (Ref.3, p. 2414).

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 157.

2. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999. Chapter 4.

3. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 270.

4. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics: http://www.wheelessonline.com/

8. Suzanne Somers: "Breakthrough" Eight Steps to Wellness-- Life-altering Secrets from Today's Cutting-edge Doctors", Crown Publishers, 2008

Last Modified: Jan. 6, 2012