What is Osgood Schlatter’s Disease?
Osgood Schlatter’s Disease (OSD) is a common condition that affects young athletes and active individuals. It is characterized by pain and swelling at the tibial tuberosity, which is the bony bump just below the knee. OSD usually affects children and adolescents during their growth spurt, typically between the ages of 10 and 15 years old.
Osgood Schlatter’s disease is caused by repetitive stress to the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone. This stress leads to inflammation and irritation at the tibial tuberosity, resulting in OSD. OSD is more common in children who play sports that involve running, jumping, and quick changes of directions, such as soccer, basketball, and gymnastics. Additionally, Osgood Schlatter’s disease is more common in boys than in girls.
What are the Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of OSD is pain and swelling at the tibial tuberosity, which usually worsens with physical activity. The pain may be localized to the tibial tuberosity or may radiate to the surrounding areas. The affected area may be tender to touch, and there may be a visible bump or prominence at the tibial tuberosity. In some cases, there may be a limited range of motion at the knee joint.
How is OSD treated and prevented?
The treatment of OSD depends on the severity of the symptoms. In mild cases, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.) may be sufficient to reduce pain and swelling. Physical therapy is also recommended to strengthen the muscles around the knee and to improve flexibility. In more severe cases, a knee brace or immobilization may be necessary to allow the affected area to heal. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the bony prominence at the tibial tuberosity.
Prevention of OSD involves proper training and conditioning techniques. Children and adolescents should be taught proper form and technique when playing sports to reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, proper warm-up and cool-down exercises should be incorporated into their training regimen. Wearing appropriate footwear and protective equipment can also help prevent OSD.
Osgood Schlatter’s disease, if it occurs, is similar to growing pains for young children. There will be a period where the individual will experience those symptoms listed above and will take time before their symptoms resolve due to their growth plates. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and when treatment starts, the discomfort may be resolved quickly.
How can Hybrid Physical Therapy help with Your Recovery?
Osgood Schlatter’s Disease is a common condition that affects young athletes and active individuals. The diagnosis is made based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies. At Hybrid Physical Therapy, we will properly assess each patient to determine the course of action to improve their quality of life. Prevention is key and if you or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms similar to OSD, have one our therapists evaluate you to ultimately fix the issue before it becomes a problem.
Let Hybrid Physical Therapy be the ones to guide you to the road to success and optimize your performance.
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