What is Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome?
Osgood Schlatter’s Disease (OSD) is far less frightful than its name suggests. Rather than being a disease, it is better described as an overuse injury and is a common cause of knee pain in active children. OSD is an inflammation of the bone at the top of the shin (tibia) where the tendon from the kneecap (patella) attaches. OSD usually strikes adolescents who are active during their growth spurts, which is the two year period where they grow most rapidly.
Causes
OSD affects children during their growth due to the soft ends of growing bones which predisposes them to injury. The patella tendon is attached to this softer bone and pulls on it particularly hard when bones grow faster than the muscles attached to them. This inflames the bony prominence at the top of the shin bone (tibial tubercle) and causes pain.
Symptoms
Swelling or tenderness is felt at the front top of your shin bone, over the bump where the patellar tendon inserts into the tibia. The pain usually worsens with exercise, is relieved by rest and causes you to limp after exercise.
Treatment
Physiotherapy assessment and treatment is highly recommended in the treatment of Osgood Schlatter Disease. First of all, it is important to ensure that OSD is the actual diagnosis. Other sources of anterior knee pain require different treatment. A combination of ice therapy and a home tens unit (see electrotherapy) will reduce pain and improve the healing rate. This usually hastens the recovery rate of sufferers. Taping and strapping or a patella tendon support may provide pain relief and load reduction at the painful site. Occasionally foot orthotics (see biomechanics) may need to be prescribed.
Can we help you? Please click here for an appointment
