Osgood Schlatters Disease is a knee condition which occurs during childhood. It is an overuse injury and occurs when a repetitive traction force on the tibial tuberosity (the bony point below the knee) disrupts the immature bone. This results in pain and inflammation at the tibial tuberosity where the patella tendon attaches.
This condition commonly occurs during the adolescent growth spurt and with activities involving strong repetitive quadriceps muscle contractions such as jumping and running during volleyball, basketball, netball, soccer and football. During the growth spurt, bones can lengthen quicker than muscle and tendon, resulting in an increased ‘pull’ at the muscles attachment site. With this repetitive stress, the body reacts in an attempt to strengthen the area and will lay down new bone, resulting in a prominent tibial tuberosity. The area becomes inflamed and swollen resulting in pain and significant tenderness.
Other potential predisposing factors for the condition are:
The good news is Osgood Schlatters Disease is self-limiting. Full recovery is expected when bony fusion and closure of the tibial growth plate is achieved. Until this occurs, management of the symptoms through modifying the predisposing factors and altering training loads, controls the pain. Multiple options are at your physiotherapists disposal such as taping, orthotics, stretching and strengthening exercises. Overall the most important thing is training and game day load. Premium Physiotherapy is happy to guide your child through this process.