Osgood Schlatters

What is Osgood Schlatters?
Osgood Schlatters is an injury most often suffered in children up to about the teenage years with the direct cause most often being overuse. With Osgood Schlatters the individual will typically suffer from severe pain below the knee and in most cases the only cure is rest and time. Osgood Schlatters is a common knee injury in children who participate in jumping sports such as basketball or track, as well as in long distance running.

Medical Definition of Osgood Schlatters
Osgood Schlatters condition is an apophysitis of the tibial tubercle and inferior pole of the patella that occurs in skeletally immature individuals, especially those involved in sports requiring repetitive-loaded knee flexion.  Osgood Schlatters presents between the ages of 8 and 13 years in females and 10 and 15 years in males. Males are typically affected about three times as often.

Synonyms
- Osgood Schlatters Disease

What are the symptoms of Osgood Schlatters?
- Pain at the tibial tuberosity.
- Swelling and inflammation.
- Tenderness at the site of the injury.
- Pain may become more intense following exercise.
- Pain felt in the knee when contracting the quadriceps.

Related Injuries
- Knee Arthritis
- Jumpers Knee

Treatment of Osgood Schlatters
- Follow the RICE treatment principles.
- Appropriate usage of NSAIDS to help alleviate pain and inflammation.
- Light stretching of the hamstrings.
- Low resistance strengthening exercises of the quadriceps.
- Use a knee support or brace to reduce the amount of tension on the knee.
- Sports massage treatments to the quadriceps and patella region of the knee.

Related Anatomy
- Knee
- Patella

Related Articles
- The Best Ways to Prevent Knee Injuries

References
Dutton Mark. (2004). Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division (800-801)