Osgood-Schlatter

Osgood-Schlatter disease (osteochondrosis), an overload disorder of the knee and tibia, is a common cause of knee pain in growing adolescents who play sports.

Osteochondrosis occurs more commonly in boys than girls, affecting boys between 10 to 15 years and girls between 8 and 13 years. Symptoms usually disappear as the child grows older.

Cause

Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammation of the area just below the knee at the bone growth plate where the tendon from the kneecap (patellar tendon) attaches to the shinbone (tibia). Stress from heavy activities or sports overloads the tendon where it connects to bone. Additionally, children’s muscles and tendons may grow faster than the bones making them more susceptible to stress, particularly during sports.

Osgood-Schlatter disease can cause a painful, bony bump on the shinbone just below the knee. Sometimes, because of the inflammatory reaction, small pieces of bone are pulled off by the tendon (avulsion fracture).

Symptoms

The symptoms are pain, swelling, and warmth at the knee. Cycling, running, squatting, climbing stairs, and kneeling are typically painful. Usually only one knee is affected but some children have the complaint in both knees.

Early in the disease the child only feels pain during exercise. As the disease progresses, pain and swelling are persistent, the knee feels warm, and is painful to touch.