What Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a common cause of knee pain in growing children and adolescents, particularly those active in sports. Despite the name, it's not actually a "disease"—it's an overuse injury affecting the growth plate at the top of the shinbone (tibia), just below the kneecap.
This condition occurs during growth spurts when bones, muscles, and tendons are changing rapidly. The quadriceps muscle (front of thigh) connects to the shinbone via the patellar tendon. During activities that involve running, jumping, or kneeling, this tendon pulls on the growth plate. Repeated stress causes inflammation, pain, and sometimes a visible bump below the knee.
📌 Quick Facts: Osgood-Schlatter disease affects about 10-20% of adolescent athletes, particularly boys ages 12-14 and girls ages 10-12. It's more common in those who play sports involving jumping, running, and quick direction changes.
Signs & Symptoms
😖 Pain
- • Just below kneecap
- • Worse with activity (running, jumping, kneeling)
- • Improves with rest
- • May be one or both knees
- • Gradual onset
🫧 Swelling
- • Localized swelling below kneecap
- • May feel warm
- • Visible bump (tibial tuberosity)
- • Tender to touch
💪 Tightness
- • Tight quadriceps muscles
- • Tight hamstrings
- • Reduced flexibility
🏃 Activity Limitations
- • Difficulty with stairs
- • Kneeling is painful
- • Running hurts
- • Jumping aggravates it
Treatment Options
🏠 Conservative Treatment (First-Line)
Rest & Activity Modification
- • Reduce or stop pain-causing activities
- • Continue low-impact activities (swimming, cycling)
- • Gradual return when pain-free
- • May need to sit out part of season
Ice Therapy
- • Apply ice for 15-20 minutes after activity
- • 3-4 times daily during pain flares
- • Use ice pack wrapped in towel
- • Reduces pain and inflammation
Pain Medication
- • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain
- • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain and inflammation
- • Use as needed, not routinely
- • Follow dosing guidelines
Stretching & Strengthening
- • Quadriceps stretches
- • Hamstring stretches
- • Hip flexor stretches
- • Core strengthening
- • Do daily, hold stretches 30 seconds
Protective Padding
- • Knee pads for kneeling sports
- • Cushioned patellar strap
- • Protects bump from direct trauma
💪 Physical Therapy
May be recommended for:
- • Guided stretching program
- • Strengthening exercises
- • Technique correction
- • Return-to-sport protocol
- • Activity modification strategies
What to Expect: Prognosis
✅ Excellent Long-Term Outcome
- • Almost all cases resolve completely with growth
- • Usually improves once growth spurt ends
- • Typically lasts 12-24 months total
- • No long-term knee problems in most cases
- • Full return to all activities expected
⏰ Timeline
- • Symptoms typically last months to 1-2 years
- • Resolves when growth plates close (usually by age 14-16)
- • Can participate in sports with modifications during healing
- • Bump may remain but becomes painless
⚖️ Management During Active Phase
- • Many children can continue sports with modifications
- • Focus on pain management, not complete activity cessation
- • Adjust activity level based on pain
- • Some discomfort may be acceptable; severe pain is not
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general information about Osgood-Schlatter disease and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your child has knee pain, especially if it persists or worsens, consult with a pediatrician or sports medicine specialist for proper evaluation and personalized treatment.