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Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease is an inflammatory condition that occurs at the point where the patellar tendon attaches to the knee. This point is the growth center, which is considered an area of structural weakness. When this growth center fuses, it presents as a bony prominence called the tibial tubercle, which is located approximately an inch below the kneecap. Osgood-Schlatter’s occurs hen repetitive stress placed on the patellar tendon leads to fractures of smalls segments of this tibial growth center and then to the formation of bony fragments in the tendon attachment. Osgood-Schlatter’s usually effects adolescents between the ages of 10-15 and may affect one or both knees.

Symptoms include complaints of localized pain, which is aggravated by kneeling on the tibial tubercle. Direct blows, running, jumping, sprinting, kicking, and stair climbing, also aggravate this condition. Signs and symptoms include swelling, tenderness to touch, pain upon bending the knee, and pain with increased activities. Running hills, swimming, and forceful kicking often cause immediate pain. X-rays may show soft tissue swelling and separation or fragmentation of the tibial tubercle. Treatment/Management: This condition is usually self-limiting and will resolve as the skeleton matures within periods of approximately two years. Conservative treatment involves restriction of the activity causing pain, such as running, jumping, or kneeling. Most cases of Osgood-Schlatter’s resolve without complication, but occasionally an individual will have persistent pain from patellar tendonitis after the growth center fuses. Individuals with chronic cases may benefit from surgical excision of the symptomatic bone fragments under the patellar tendon.

Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease

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