Osgood Schlatter's Disease

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Osgood Schatter's Disease is a common cause of pain/discomfort in the knees of children and adolescence. Children and adolescent bone contains something known as the growth plate, which are areas of cartilage located near the end of bones. At the top of the tibia (shin bone) there is a growth plate known as the tibial tuberosity. This growth plate is an attachment place for the patellar tendon of the quadriceps (thigh) muscle group. In kids who are highly active or participate in sports that involve running, jumping or cycling, the quadriceps muscle group is quite active. The activity of this muscle group pulls on the patellar tendon and puts tension on the growth plate which can lead to microvascular tears, inflammation/swelling, or fracture. In some cases, new bone growth can occur in the area resulting in a very prominent bump just below the knee. 

symptoms

  • pain with running, jumping or kneeling
  • point tenderness or swelling around the tibial tuberosity 
  • tight quadricep and hamstring muscles 
  • abnormal bony prominence at the tibial tuberosity 

causes

  • overuse and repetitive activation of the quadriceps muscles (e.g. running, jumping, cycling)
  • risk factors:
    • age (boys typically between 12-14 and girls 10-13)
    • flexibility (tight quadriceps put additional strain on the growth plate)
    • sports involving running, jumping, quick change in direction (e.g. basketball, soccer, dance, gymnastics)

treatment

  • ice therapy
  • pain management with over-the-counter medications
  • shockwave therapy

How physiotherapy can help 

Manual manipulation and gentle stretching of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles may help relieve pain, as does the utilization of exercises focused on strengthening the vastus medialis.