Osgood-Schlatter is a condition where the patella tendon insertion at the tibial tuberosity (below your knee cap) becomes inflamed.
It typically affects adolescents throughout their growth spurt years and occurs more commonly in boys between 12 and 15 years old and girls between 8 and 12 years old. It usually resolves at the end stages of skeletal growth.
Signs and symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter
- Pain under the knee cap during activity such as running, jumping, going up and down stairs
- Tenderness, swelling and thickening of the patella tendon (under the knee cap) and enlargement of the bone below this
- Possible limping
Physiotherapy management of Osgood-Schlatter
- Relative rest and activity modification and a gradual return to activity
- Advice on how to reduce and control pain and swelling
- Exercise program to strengthen quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius
- Optimise movement and activity
- Gait retraining
To learn how our physiotherapists can help your adolescent and their knee pain, contact your local Life Ready team today.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5063719/#!po=16.6667
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12306-017-0479-7
