Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Proper Name:
Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Common Name:
Growth Pains

Age of Onset:
It happens when an active, athletic child is experiencing a rapid period of growth.

Duration:
It can last for weeks or even months. However, the disease will disappear forever once the adolescent completely stops growing.

Males/Females/Ethnic Groups:
This disease is more common in males than females, but any active child is susceptible.

Causes:
Osgood-Schlatter disease results from the pull of the quadriceps, or thigh muscles, that join with the patellar tendons, which run through the knee and into the tibia, to connect the muscles to the knee. When the quadriceps contract, the patellar tendons can start to pull away from the shin bone, causing pain. This problem becomes more noticeable during activities that require running, jumping, or going up or down stairs.

Symptoms:
Osgood-Schlatter disease is identified either by three main things. First, pain, swelling, and tenderness at the bony prominence on the upper shinbone, just below the kneecap. Second, knee pain that worsens with activity, especially running and jumping, and improves with rest. Third, tightness of the surrounding muscles, especially the thigh muscles. The pain varies from person to person. Some have only mild pain while performing certain activities, especially running and jumping. For others, the pain is nearly constant and debilitating. Osgood-Schlatter disease usually occurs in just one knee, but sometimes it develops in both knees.

Prognosis:
Major symptoms from Osgood-Schlatter disease typically go away when a teenager's growth spurt ends and the bones mature. The condition may leave a permanent painless bump below the knee. In the years after recovery, about 60% of adults who once experienced Osgood-Schlatter disease have some pain with kneeling.

Treatment:
Because this is a disease children must grow out of, the treatments only reduce pain. For this the child can continue at a reduced level of activity as long as the pain isn't too severe. The child may need to avoid any activity that requires deep knee bending, run at a slower speed or for a shorter amount of time, and jump less often. Support bandaging and ice packs will help ease severe pain.

For More Information:
http://www.mydr.com.au/pain/osgood-schlatter-disease