If your child is active in sports and starts experiencing knee pain, especially during growth spurts, they might be dealing with Osgood-Schlatter disease. This condition is a common cause of knee pain in young athletes, particularly those in high-impact sports like soccer and gymnastics.
At Banner Children’s, we understand how important it is for young athletes to stay active and healthy. Our pediatric orthopedic specialists are here to help you navigate the condition with expert care and support.
Osgood-Schlatter disease happens when the patellar tendon (which connects the kneecap to the shinbone) pulls on the growth plate at the top of the shinbone, called the tibial tubercle. This constant pulling causes pain, swelling and sometimes a bony lump to form on the knee.
The condition is most common during growth spurts or puberty, typically between the ages of 9 and 14. During puberty, bones, muscles and tendons grow quickly.
It’s most often seen in children and teens who play sports that require a lot of running, jumping and quick changes in direction. Soccer, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics are common triggers of Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs due to overuse and strain on the knee joint.
During periods of rapid growth, a child’s bones grow quickly but the muscles and tendons may not keep up. This can lead to tightness in the quadriceps (front of the thigh) and hamstring muscles (back of the thigh), which puts extra strain on the knee joint, especially the tibial tubercle.
When a young athlete participates in sports activities that involve a lot of running and jumping, the stress on the knee increases and the patellar tendon pulls more on the tibial tubercle. Over time, this can cause pain and swelling.
All children can develop Osgood-Schlatter disease, but the following factors can increase your risk:
Osgood-Schlatter disease typically causes pain and swelling just below the kneecap, where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibial tubercle. The pain can range from mild to severe and usually worsens with physical activity, especially sports such as running, jumping or kneeling. It is usually felt in one knee but can sometimes occur in both knees.
Other symptoms can include:
While most children recover from the knee condition without long-term problems, some children may have complications like:
Your child’s primary care provider can usually diagnose Osgood-Schlatter disease based on symptoms and a physical exam. They will check for pain, swelling and tenderness around the knee and may ask about your child’s sports activities.
A bone x-ray may be taken to get a clearer view of the tibial tubercle and rule out other possible causes of knee pain, such as fractures or infections.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is treated with a combination of rest, ice and stretching exercises. The goal is to reduce pain and swelling while allowing the knee to heal.
Treatment can vary depending on the severity of the pain and your child’s level of physical activity.
Rest is key to reducing the stress on the knee and allowing it to heal. Your child may need to take a break from sports activities or reduce their level of participation. This doesn’t mean they have to stop all physical activity, but high-impact sports like running or jumping should be limited.
Apply ice to the knee to reduce pain and swelling. Ice packs can be used for 15-20 minutes several times a day, especially after physical activity.
Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage pain and reduce swelling.
Stretching and strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles can reduce knee strain and improve stability. A physical therapist can teach your child specific stretches to help ease tension in these muscles. These exercises may include seated hamstring stretches or standing quadriceps stretches.
Knee braces help relieve some of the pressure on the knee and protect the tibial tubercle during sports activities. In some cases, knee taping can also provide support.
Once the pain and swelling have improved, your child can gradually return to sports activities. It’s important to ease back into sports slowly, starting with low-impact activities and gradually increasing intensity. Continue to do stretches and strength exercises to help prevent symptoms from returning. In almost every case, surgery is not necessary.
The good news is that Osgood-Schlatter disease usually goes away on its own as your child finishes growing. The pain typically lasts several months, but in some cases it can continue for up to two years.
With proper care and rest, most children with Osgood-Schlatter disease make a full recovery and can return to their normal activities without any long-term issues.
While it may not be possible to prevent Osgood-Schlatter disease entirely, there are steps young athletes can take to reduce their risk of developing it.
If your child has knee pain and swelling that doesn’t improve with rest, ice and OTC medications, it’s a good idea to see their primary care provider. The provider should also check out chronic pain that affects your child’s ability to participate in sports or other activities.
If your child is diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease, the provider can help create a treatment plan that works for your child.
At Banner Health, we offer personalized care plans for Osgood-Schlatter disease that focus on reducing pain, improving mobility and ensuring your child can safely return to sports and activities they love. Let us help your child stay strong and healthy through this phase of growth and development.
Sign in to Patient Account
