Osgood-Schlatter disease (also known as OSD) can cause a painful, bony bump on the shinbone simply below the knee. It usually happens in children and adolescents experiencing development spurts during adolescence.
When the Disease Happen?
Osgood-Schlatter disease takes place most often in children who participate in sports that include running, jumping and quick switches– such as soccer, basketball, figure skating and ballet.
While the condition was once more typical in young boys, the gender gap has actually narrowed as more girls have ended up being included with sports.
Osgood-Schlatter disease typically occurs in kids ages 12 to 14 and girls ages 10 to 13. The distinction is because girls enter puberty earlier than do young boys. The condition normally fixes on its own, once the child’s bones stop growing.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease Symptoms
Knee pain and swelling simply below the kneecap are the primary signs of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Pain typically intensifies during specific activities, such as running, kneeling and jumping, and reduces with rest.
The condition usually happens in just one knee, however it can impact both knees. The pain can last from weeks to months and can recur till your child stops growing.
Call your child’s doctor if knee pain disrupts your child’s ability to carry out daily activities. Seek medical attention if the knee is swollen and red, or if the knee pain is related to fever, locking or instability of the knee joint.
Causes of Osgood-Schlatter Disease
During activities that involve running, jumping and bending– such as soccer, basketball, volleyball and ballet– your child’s thigh muscles (quadriceps) pull on the tendon that connects the kneecap to the development plate on top part of the shinbone.
This repetitive stress can cause the tendon to pull on the growth plate where the tendon inserts into the shinbone, resulting in the pain and swelling related to Osgood-Schlatter disease. Some children’s bodies attempt to close that space with new bone growth, which can result in a bony lump at that spot.
Risk Factors and Complications
The main risk factors for Osgood-Schlatter disease are:
- Age. Osgood-Schlatter disease takes place during puberty’s development spurts. Age ranges vary by sex since girls enter the age of puberty earlier than do young boys. Osgood-Schlatter disease generally occurs in boys ages 12 to 14 and girls ages 10 to 13.
- Sex. Osgood-Schlatter disease is more typical in kids, however the gender space is narrowing as more girls end up being included with sports.
- Sports. The condition takes place most often with sports that include running, jumping and speedy reversals.
- Versatility. Tightness in the quadriceps muscles can increase the pull of the kneecap’s tendon on the development plate at the top of the shinbone.
Complications of Osgood-Schlatter disease are uncommon. If they happen, they may include chronic pain or localized swelling.
After symptoms have actually fixed, a bony bump may stay on the shinbone just below the kneecap. This bump can persist to some degree throughout your child’s life, however it doesn’t typically disrupt knee function.
In unusual cases, Osgood-Shlattter disease can cause the development plate to be pulled away from the shinbone.
Diagnosis
During the physical exam, your doctor will examine your child’s knee for inflammation, swelling, pain and inflammation. X-rays might be required to take a look at the bones of the knee and leg and to more closely take a look at the area where the kneecap tendon connects to the shinbone.
Treatment of Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease usually fixes without official treatment. Symptoms usually disappear after your child’s bones stop growing.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Children’s Motrin, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) may assist.
Therapy
A physical therapist can teach your child exercises to stretch the thigh’s quadriceps, which can help reduce the tension where the kneecap (patella) tendon attaches to the shinbone. A patellar tendon strap likewise can assist ease the tension. Reinforcing exercises for the quadriceps and legs in general can assist support the knee joint.
Surgery
In really uncommon cases, if pain is debilitating and does not go away after the development spurt, surgery to remove the bony overgrowth may be suggested.
