Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is a common source of pain at the front of the knee, particularly in active children and teenagers. It’s considered an overuse condition, often linked to repetitive activities such as running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction. The discomfort can occur in one or both knees.The encouraging news is that Osgood-Schlatter’s is a self-limiting condition as it typically improves with time as the body matures. Continuing with activity rarely causes lasting damage; instead, management is guided by the individual’s level of pain and comfort.
Who gets Osgood Schlatters?
Osgood Schlatters commonly occurs in teenagers that are active and play lots of sports. Onset often occurs in females 8-13 years of age, and males 10-15 years of age.
Common sports associated with Osgood Schlatters;
- Basketball
- Netball
- Football
- Soccer
- Sprinters
- Gymnastics
Why does it occur?
Osgood Schaltters most often happens during a growth spurt, or during a phase of prolonged growing, as the stress load of the patellar tendon causes sustained traction and repetitive strain on the bone where it attaches at the front of the knee (known as the anterior tibial tuberosity). This repetitive strain occurs with all of the running, sprinting, jumping, kicking and changes of direction that happen in sports. Risk factors for developing it can include; height, weight, loss of flexibility, high arches in the feet and poor biomechanics of the lower leg.
Essentially, most commonly the bones are growing faster than the muscles can keep up, causing extra load so the tendons begin to pull on the cartilage and bone causing pain.
Top At Home Treatment Tips
Unfortunately there is no quick fix to Osgood Schlatters due to its nature, however there are some ways to help manage the associated pain;
- Icing after activity
- NSAIDs (nurofen, voltaren etc)
- Activity modification
- Relative rest
- Knee strap or taping
- Stretching; especially of the quads and hamstrings!
Osgood Schlatters and Osteopathy
If you think you or someone you know is suffering from Osgood Schlatters, give the team at Blackburn Allied Group a call. Our experienced osteopaths will be able to help correctly diagnose your knee pain and guide you through your treatment and recovery through a combination of hands on treatment and at home management advice.
