Osgood-schlatter’s disease: Treatment, symptoms, advice and help

About osgood-schlatter’s disease

osgood-Schlatter’s disease is a disorder affecting the front of knee resulting in pain and swelling of the tibial tubercle (upper part of lower leg bone). However, it is not a disease of the knee joint. It is generally a benign, self-limited knee condition.

Osgood-schlatter’s disease: Incidence, age and sex

Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is predominantly seen in young adolescent boys who play a lot of sports which involve kicking, running, or jumping. It is quite uncommon over the age of 16 years. Though rare, it may also occur in children who are not very athletic.

Signs and symptoms of osgood-schlatter’s disease: Diagnosis

The main symptom of this disorder is the occurrence of painful swelling just below the kneecap (patella). The severity of pain tends to be variable. It is usually worse during and just after, physical activities like sports. The pain eases off with adequate rest. This pain typically lasts for a few months, but may sometimes remain for as long as one to two years.

A small, tender, bony bump may develop at some distance below the kneecap where the patellar ligament attaches to the tibia (shin bone). This bump is permanent, and becomes painless with time. The actual knee joint does not get affected, so its movement is normal. The condition is by and large unilateral, but in occasional cases, both knees may get involved.

Investigations are not generally needed since the diagnosis is often clear from the symptoms and detailed physical examination of the affected area.

Causes and prevention of osgood-schlatter’s disease

The cause of this disorder is controversial, but is more or less related to physical activity. The stress on the bone transferred from the muscle tendon tugging it during activities leads to Osgood-Schlatter’s disease.

Osgood-schlatter’s disease: Complications

The most common and distressing complication of this disorder is longstanding pain in the affected knee. Some individuals may experience pain for about 1 or even 2 years after the abatement of the disorder.

Osgood-schlatter’s disease: Treatment

In most affected individuals, the pain resolves within a few months without any treatment. Repeated and sincere assurance by the doctor is needed that it is not a serious disorder and is likely to resolve after some time.

Application of ice around the affected knee and adequate rest to the limb is effective to alleviate pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be required in cases where non-medical measures of pain relief do not help.

In rare case where symptoms stay, a cast or brace may be used to support the leg until it heals. This may take around 6 - 8 weeks. Crutches may also be considered for walking to minimise the stress on the legs. Rarely, surgical intervention may be required. Most of the cases are self limiting and show improvement after a few weeks or months.