Osgood-Schlatter disease is named after physicians Dr. Robert Osgood and Dr. Carl Schlatter, who identified and defined the condition. It is a knee condition which is identified by a painful lump below the kneecap.

Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs mainly in children who take part in sports like basketball, soccer, ballet, figure skating, and other activities that involve jumping and running. It is most frequently seen in 13- or 14-year old boys and 11- to 12-year old girls because growth spurts usually take place during these periods.

Osgood-Schlatter disease causes pain in one or both knees, which can be mild, moderate, or severe in nature. It can flare up only during physical activity or be constantly present in a teen’s daily life for months. The swelling is often most prominent on the upper part of the shinbone right below the kneecap. As a result, surrounding muscles like the quadriceps (thigh muscles) may become strained. This knee pain increases during sports or activities like climbing stairs, jumping, and running; though it may subside somewhat after resting.

Causes and Diagnosis

Children’s arms and legs are made up of long bones that have growth plates made of cartilage at the end of each bone. These growth plates are responsible for the development and enlargement of the bones. However, too much stress on these growth plates may result in localized inflammation, swelling, and pain.

In addition, the kneecap is connected to the shin bone by patellar tendons. During sports activities, the quadricep may pull these tendons away from the shinbone, resulting in the swelling and pain associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is not inherited from parents and has no genetic characteristics whatsoever. Diagnosis of the condition is made using X-ray images of the leg and knee bones, as well as the area where the shinbone is attached to the patellar tendon.

Osgood-Schlatter disease usually disappears on its own by the time the child reaches 18 years of age, which is when his or her growth has stopped and the bones have matured. But until that time, the only way to fight the condition is to treat the symptoms.

If the pain is mild, then a doctor might recommend that the child reduce his or her level of physical activity. But severe pain may necessitate a cessation from all sports activities. Rest is usually the best weapon against the pain and discomfort of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also be taken to combat any pain or swelling.

For Osgood-Schlatter disease sufferers who want to decrease the stress on their knees, wearing kneepads, knee braces, or shock absorbent shoe insoles may be helpful. It also helps to apply moist heat for 15 minutes before practice or competition. After any strenuous activity, it is important to ice the affected knee area for 20 minutes and elevate the leg.

The four basic treatment steps for pain associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease can be remembered using the word RICE. With this mnemonic, the R stands for rest (from physical activity), I stands for ice (up to three times a day for 20 minutes at a time), C stands for compression (of the affected area with an elastic bandage), and E stands for elevating (the leg).

Avoiding Recurrence

To prevent Osgood-Schlatter disease from coming back, a doctor or physical therapist may prescribe home exercises that are designed to strengthen leg muscles. At the first sign of pain after any sports activity, the teen should apply ice to the area. If the pain increases in severity from day to day despite diligent treatment, the child should consider taking some time off from sports. If the teenager competes while in pain, Osgood-Schlatter disease may recur with greater severity - and treatment may become more difficult.

It is essential to keep in mind that Osgood-Schlatter disease is different from common sports injuries. As a result, children should not be encouraged to return to physical activity too quickly after getting hurt, or to continue playing while injured or suffering from pain. In the end, it is up to parents and coaches to make sure that an Osgood-Schlatter disease sufferer takes the proper precautions to treat the condition, and does not ignore the symptoms in order to keep participating in sports.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a manageable condition that is temporary. But only a disciplined regimen of rest and treatment will diminish or eliminate the pain that it causes.