The knee is a hinge joint, situated between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bones (tibia and fibula). Contraction of the muscles on the front of the thigh (quadriceps) straightens the leg, while contraction of the muscles on the back of the thigh (the hamstrings) allows the leg to bend at the knee.
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome (or disease) is a knee condition that tends to affect teenagers. It is thought that around 13 per cent of adolescent knee pain is due to Osgood-Schlatter syndrome. This often seems to occur during a sudden growth spurt. It is thought that the tendon attaching the quadriceps muscles to the knee joint fails to keep up with the lengthening bone, and pulls tight.
The tibial tuberosity, or bony bump of the shinbone just below the knee, swells and feels tender and painful when the joint is used. Osgood-Schlatter syndrome usually resolves by itself with time. Treatment options can include physiotherapy.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter syndrome depend on the severity of the condition, but may include:
- Pain in one or both knees
- Pain when straightening the leg through the knee joint or full squatting
- Pain on running, or going up and down stairs
- The pain eases with rest
- The tibial tuberosity is swollen
- The skin over the tibial tuberosity is red and inflamed
- Sometimes, the quadriceps muscles can lose strength and bulk.
The risk of fracture
The quadriceps muscles are joined to the tibial tuberosity by a tendon. If the bone growth outstrips the growth of the tendon, this soft tissue will be pulled tight. In some cases, the force of the tightened tendon may dislodge the bone (partial avulsion fracture). The body repairs the fracture by laying down extra bone tissue. The result is a larger than normal bump at the tibial tuberosity. Other possible complications of Osgood-Schlatter syndrome include an altered position of the kneecap.
A range of possible causes
Some of the causes of Osgood-Schlatter syndrome may include:
- Growth spurt - the condition tends to affect adolescent children. Affected boys are often aged between 13 and 14 years, while affected girls are often aged between 10 and 11 years.
- Exercise - active children, particularly those engaged in athletics and sports, are at increased risk.
- Gender - boys are more susceptible than girls, but perhaps this is because boys typically play more vigorous sports.
- Injury - around half of all children with the condition report a prior knee injury.
Diagnosis methods
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is diagnosed using a number of tests including:
- Physical examination
- X-ray
- Ultrasound scan.
Treatment options
Osgood-Schlatter syndrome usually resolves by itself within 12 months or so. However, the knee joint may remain uncomfortable for around two to three years until the growth spurt finishes. Treatment options may include:
- Frequent use of icepacks to reduce the swelling
- Sufficient rest to ease the symptoms
- Avoiding activities that worsen the pain
- Stretching and strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles
- Physiotherapy
- Medications including painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Very rarely, surgery (but only in extreme cases and only once the growth spurt has ended).
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Physiotherapist
- Orthopaedic surgeon
Things to remember
- Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is a knee condition that affects teenagers.
- During a growth spurt, it is thought that the tendon attaching the quadriceps muscle to the knee joint fails to keep up with the lengthening bone and pulls tight, creating a strain on the growing bone (tibial tuberosity).
- Osgood-Schlatter syndrome usually resolves by itself once growth has finished. This may take up to two to three years.
You might also be interested in:
Knee injuries.
Sprains and strains.
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Osgood Schlatter syndrome.
