Often associated with osteoporosis, the condition of Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by the breakdown of cartilage and bone in the joints of the lower limbs. The pain is generally felt on the tibial tuberosity. This condition is also associated with an increased risk of tibial fractures.
Pain on the tibial tuberosity
Approximately 10% of adolescents will develop Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD). OSD is a condition that occurs in adolescents as a result of microtrauma to the apophysis (boney bump) located at the front of the knee. Osgood-Schlatter disease usually affects one knee but can sometimes affect both.
It usually resolves over time, and surgery is rarely needed. Surgical intervention is usually used when conservative treatments have failed, or if the patient suffers from persistent symptoms. Symptoms usually begin during a growth spurt and often resolve with physical therapy and activity modification.
Symptoms often occur during sports and activities that place significant tension on the tibial tubercle, such as running, jumping, and kicking. During these activities, the tibial tubercle can swell, feel painful, and become extremely prominent. Osgood-Schlatter disease is most common in children and adolescents who participate in athletics. Symptoms may also occur in those who do not participate in sports.
In addition to the pain associated with the tibial tuberosity, there may be swelling of the soft tissues surrounding the bone. This swelling can be acutely painful when the knee is flexed or extended, or against resistance. If the pain does not clear within 24 hours, a cast may be prescribed to keep the affected knee immobilized for three to six weeks.
If the pain is not resolved by this time, then the athlete should be restricted from participating in any sports activities that involve deep knee bending. A knee brace may be used to protect the knee during activity, and stretching exercises may be done to relieve the tension on the tibial tuberosity.
Patients who experience pain in the tibial tuberosity may also have signs of patellar tendinopathy, which occurs when the tendon that attaches the patella to the tibia becomes inflamed. Patellar tendinopathy can be a result of stress and tension on the tendon, which can lead to small cracks in the bone.
Symptoms may also include swelling, which can occur on both sides of the knee. A doctor may order x-rays of the knee if there are suspicions that an avulsion fracture has occurred. If there is a fracture, surgery is usually not necessary. In addition to x-rays, the doctor will also perform a physical exam on the affected knee.
This exam may include palpation of the tibial tubercle, which is where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia. If the doctor finds an ossicle, it may be removed. In rare cases, surgery is performed to remove the ossicle, but this is usually only done if the condition is severe.
In addition to physical therapy and activity modification, patients may also receive pain-relieving medications. Often, this will involve non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and ice packs. Patients may also be prescribed stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of their hamstrings. A knee brace can also be used to reduce the pull on the patellar tendon.
Increased risk of tibial fractures
Those with Osgood-Schlatter disease have an increased risk of tibial fractures. This is because the patellar tendon that connects the quadriceps muscle to the shin bone can become inflamed. In this condition, the patellar tendon becomes tight and pulls on the growth plate of the shin bone.
This causes pain and swelling in the tibial tuberosity. It also creates a bump at the shin bone. It can cause pain, swelling, and other complications, but it is usually treatable. Fortunately, most children with Osgood-Schlatter disease recover and don’t have any lasting effects on their health.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a type of osteochondrosis or bone disorder. It is most common in young athletes. It affects pre-adolescent to adolescent children and is most often caused by excessive stress on the patellar tendon. The symptoms usually go away after the growth plate has closed. The pain usually decreases with age, and it usually resolves after twelve months. A child may have symptoms for more than a year if the condition is severe. In some cases, cortisone injections are required to relieve the pain.
It is important to treat Osgood-Schlatter disease because it increases the risk of tibial fractures. Typically, the pain and swelling will go away with time, but in the meantime, kids with the disease should avoid activities that may cause pain. It may also be recommended that they wear kneepads for rough surfaces.
It is also recommended that they do not participate in sports that require deep knee bending. If the pain is severe, the child may need to take a complete break from sports. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions for treating the condition.
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome usually occurs during the growth spurt of puberty. It usually resolves over time, but the pain and swelling may continue until the child stops growing. Symptoms usually worsen with running and jumping. In the early stages, children with OSD may not have any symptoms. However, as they grow older, they may develop bony growths on their knees.
The bony growths are usually not painful, but the pain can continue until the growth has finished. If the child continues to have pain, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen. If the child is still having symptoms, an X-ray of the knee may be ordered. The X-ray will show any changes in the bones of the knee, and may also rule out other pathologies. If the doctor believes that the child has Osgood-Schlatter disease, the child may be prescribed cortisone injections.
It is important to remember that the growth plate of the tibia is weaker than the rest of the bone. It may be damaged by a strong force, such as during a high-impact injury, or it may be damaged by less force, such as during a fall. In both cases, the growth plate may become inflamed. When the growth plate is inflamed, it is also prone to irritation.
Prevention
Among the many symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease is a pain in the front lower part of the knee, tenderness, and stiffness of the surrounding knee muscles. These symptoms can interfere with your daily activities and can even keep you from participating in sports. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by repetitive activities that stress the growing bone below the knee. This bony bump is called the tibial tubercle. The tibial tubercle is part of the growth plate of the tibia, which is a large bone that is part of the lower leg. When a young athlete is repeatedly bending or squatting, it puts pressure on the growth plate.
Because the growth plate is not fully developed, it is more susceptible to injury. During puberty, this area is prone to swelling and inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid (NSAID) to reduce the pain and swelling. Your physician may also recommend limiting certain activities. You can also ice your knee to reduce swelling. Then, you can take pain relievers and rest your knee until the inflammation subsides. If you’re experiencing severe pain, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the bone fragments.
The tibial tubercle is prone to damage from repetitive movements. When it does, it will try to repair itself. In many cases, a lump will develop under the knee. X-rays can show whether the tibial tubercle is damaged or not. A bone scan may be required to confirm the diagnosis. The bone may also show signs of remodeling. The remodeling process may cause the growth plate to expand and become visible.
Osgood-Schlatters is a condition that can affect young people, but it can also affect adults. Most cases are mild and resolve on their own. If you have Osgood-Schlatter, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to stretch the muscles around the knee. It may also be necessary to wear a brace. This will help to protect the knee from further injury.
It is important to limit your participation in sports to prevent Osgood-Schlatter. If you have Osgood-Schlatter, you can still participate in mild physical activities. You will need to avoid activities that put pressure on the area, such as deep knee bending. You should also avoid activities that put pressure on your knee, such as squatting. In fact, you should avoid activities that involve a lot of bending and jumping.
The muscles of your quadriceps are involved in both of these activities. The constant bending of your knee during these activities will cause tiny avulsion fractures in the quadriceps, which can lead to swelling.
When a child suffers from Osgood-Schlatter, he or she may have to wear a knee brace to protect the knee and reduce swelling. Your physician may also recommend crutches to walk without putting pressure on the affected leg. The pain may make it difficult to walk, but it will get better as the knee heals.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
