Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Disease: Tibial Tuberosity Apophysitis

Common Name: Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Age of Onset: Boys ages 13-14, Girls ages 10-11

Duration: Usually between 12 and 18 months, during a growth spurt.

Males/Females/Equal: Osgood-Schlatter disease affects boys more often than girls, but it is becoming more common with the increase in female athletes.

Cause: Osgood-Schlatter disease is an overuse injury. It occurs due to exercise when young athletes are going through a period of growth. Frequent use and physical stress cause pain and swelling at the point below the kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia. The stress of the tendon pulling on the tibia often causes tiny fractures of the tibia.

Symptoms:

• Pain and tenderness below kneecap
  


• Swelling, large bump below kneecap



• Pain and discomfort during physical activity such as running and jumping



• Limping after physical ativity

Prognosis/Progression: Disease occurs during growth spurts during adolescence. Symptoms generally occur for around one to two years and the disease usually ends on its own after the growth spurt has ended. The disease will end sooner if physical activity is decreased.

Treatment Options:

• Decrease in physical activity such as running or jumping, though children may still participate in sports.
  


• Stretching exercises including quadricep and hamstring exercises to keep the area strong.



• Icing the affected area after physical activity to reduce pain and swelling.
  


• Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.



• Knee bands to help reduce stress and pain during physical activity.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/osgood.html

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/orthopedics/a/osgoodschlatter.htm