What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing children and young teens. During growth spurts , certain muscles and tendons grow rather quickly , and now all at the same rate. Differences in size and strength of the quadricep muscles can put more stress on the growth plate near the top of the shinbone. When the growth plate is weak, it's more prone to injury resulting in irritation in a painful lump below the kneecap. This is common for those participating in high-impact sports
Causes
Activities that include running, jumping or going down the stairs which cause or increase knee pain. Common for young athletes participating in football, soccer, basketball and gymnastics.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease include:
- Knee or leg pain
- Swelling, tendering or increased warmth under the knee and over the shinbone
- Limping after physical activity
- Grinding or stretching sensation noted at the tendon's attachment site
Treatment
Osgood-Schlatter disease can get progressively worse without treatment, it is important to receive treatment via:
- Ice therapy
- Over-the-counter pain relievers (ex. - ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
- Stretching
- Bracing
- Physiotherapy
- Chiropractic rehab
Prevention
Some preventative measure that can be taken to reduce the risk of UCL injuries include;
- Exercises to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings
- Proper warm-up to increase flexibility
