A painful, bony bump which appears on the shinbone just underneath the knee is a characteristic of Osgood-Schlatter Disease. Osgood-Schlatter Disease is common in children and adolescents that experience sudden growth during puberty.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease is most commonly occurring in children participating in sports such as soccer, basketball, and ballet which involve running, jumping and sudden change of direction.
Although the disease was even more common among boys, the sex gap has narrowed as more girls joined the sport.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease usually occurs in boys between the age of 12 to 14 years and in girls aged 10 to 13 years. The difference is due to the fact that girls enter puberty before boys. Osgood-Schlatter Disease often goes on its own, after the bones of the child cease to grow.
What are the Causes of Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Inflammation of the patellar tendon is one of the features of Osgood-Schlatter Disease. The constant pulling of the patellar tendon on the area underneath the knee where the tendons are joined together results in Osgood-Schlatter Disease.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is found in growing children and adolescents, especially those who are athletes. This is the time when bones usually grow faster than muscles and tendons. As a result, muscles and tendons tend to become tense.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease usually occurs in pre-adolescents and adolescents aged 10 to 15 years. This is common for young athletes who play games or sports that involve running, jumping or climbing up and down stairs. Teenage athletes who are affected are most often involved in football, soccer, basketball, gymnastics or ballet.
Risk Factors
The main risk factors for Osgood-Schlatter Disease are:
1. Age. Osgood-Schlatter Disease occurs during the spread of puberty growth. Age groups differ by gender because girls enter puberty before boys. Osgood-Schlatter Disease usually occurs in boys aged 12 to 14 and in girls aged 10 to 13 years.
2. Gender. This disease is more common in boys, but the gender gap decreases as more girls engage in sports.
3. Sport. Sports activities that involve running, jumping and sudden change of direction is one of the major causes of Osgood-Schlatter Disease.
4. Flexibility. Tightness found in the quadriceps muscles have been found to cause an increase in the pull of the kneecap’s tendon on the growth plate at the top of the shinbone.
What are the Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
The most common symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease are listed below. However, every teenager may experience different symptoms.
Symptoms may include:
• Pain in one or the two knees
• Pain when you try to straighten the knee joint or complete squat
• Pain when you are running or going up and moving downstairs
• Pain that relieves you when you are resting
• Inflammatory of the tibial tuberosity
• Red, inflammatory skin over the tibial tuberosity
• Quadriceps muscles which can lose its strength and bulk
Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease can be deceptive as it can take after the symptoms of other conditions or medical problems that affect the knee. Make sure you see your adolescent’s doctor for diagnosis.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease Treatment
Treatment for Osgood-Schlatter Disease requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your knee. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your elbow to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Tendon and Ligament Poultice
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
