Osgood-Schlatter’s disease (OSD) is named after two physicians, Dr. Robert Osgood and Dr. Carl Schlatter in 1903 who defined the disease. OSD, also known as tibial tubercle apophyseal traction injury, is defined as a rupture of the growth plate at the tibial tuberosity. It can also be inflammation of the bone, cartilage and/or tendon that attaches at the top of the tibia. These stresses can cause multiple subacute avulsion fractures in the tendon which can cause inflammation. Through over use the patella tendon pulls away at the bone. With repeat trauma to this area, new bone grows back which causes a bony lump on the tibila tuberosity. OSD is found in about one of every 10 (differs between researchers) children between the ages of 9-16 that are highly involved in sports, higher in boys than girls. The most common time in which children develop this disease is when they are going through periods of growth spurts when the muscles are trying to catch up with the bone growth. When the tibial tuberosity gets bigger, it is very tender and can be extremely painful when hit.
The most common symptoms include:
The most common symptoms include:
- pain that worsens with exercise,
- relief from pain at rest,
- swelling or tenderness under the knee and over the tibia,
- limping after exercise due to pain, and
- tightness of the quads and hamstrings.
- running,
- jumping,
- squatting, and
- walking up and down stairs.
Most doctors recommend RICE for most generic cases and plaster casting for more serious ones. There are many other types of treatments available: analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief and reduction of local inflammation, exercise programs, stretches, taping, braces, and massage (ice massage or light massage over the knee and tendons to decrease pain and increase blood flow).
Most cases take over two years to heal, some even longer. The usual treatment is to not move or irritate the knee for about three days and to take it easy for 1-2 weeks after being diagnosed.
Once the pain has resided, gradual progressions back into normal activities are advised. Stretching, and special exercises should still be done to prevent further injury to the knee and the patella tendon and attachment site. The coach can help to increase the healing time by changing the way they practice, by focusing more on technique and or other aspects that might produce improvement and decrease future risks is other children, rather than conditioning that might cause further damage.
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