What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

What Causes Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

During growth spurts, bone grows faster than muscles and tendons. With running, jumping and kicking, the strong quadriceps repeatedly pulls on the immature growth area through the kneecap tendon. This leads to inflammation, pain and a bony bump. It is common in 10 to 15 year olds who play football, basketball, volleyball or do gymnastics.

Symptoms

• Pain and tenderness just below the kneecap at the front of the shin
• A visible, firm swelling or bony bump in that area
• Pain increasing with running, jumping, stairs and kneeling
• It can affect one or both knees

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child with Osgood-Schlatter keep playing sport?

Most children can continue with a load adjusted to their pain. Reducing training intensity, ice, stretching the front and back thigh muscles and, if needed, a strap below the knee are usually enough. Pain generally resolves when growth ends; the bony bump below the knee may remain.