Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that presents with pain on the anterior (front) aspect of the knee with pain specifically localised at the top of the shin bone below the kneecap (also known as the tibial tuberosity). The condition appears most commonly in active children and adolescents and is “self-limiting”, meaning that the condition often resolves itself on its own without any medical care required (2). However, symptom and activity management are one of the key strategies to help reduce the levels of pain and allow for a swifter return to sport or activity.
Osgood-Schlatter disease was first coined by two orthopaedic surgeons in 1903 (Osgood and Schlatter) (3). Initially, the condition was believed to occur due to irritation of the bony growth plates at the top of the shin that develops during adolescence. However, due to advances in clinical imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging, the condition is now thought to be a combination of irritation to the patella (kneecap) tendon (attaches muscles to bone), as well as the irritation of the growth plate attachment just below the kneecap (5).
Osgood-Schlatter disease can be defined as an irritation caused by traction (a pulling force) to the top of the tibia (shin bone) and irritation of the patella tendon. During periods of rapid growth, our bones often grow at a quicker rate than our muscles, so when our bones grow our muscles have to temporarily stretch to account for this increased length of the bone. In patients with Osgood-Schlatter disease, this excess load applies traction to the tibial tuberosity, which lies directly over a growth plate in growing bones. This, combined with increases in load through the area such as when running and jumping, can result in irritation of the attachment site, tendon and growth plates (2,3).
This is not an exhaustive list. These factors could increase the likelihood of someone developing Osgood-Schlatter disease. It does not mean everyone with these risk factors will develop symptoms.
Most commonly occurs in adolescents. 10% of adolescents are affected and the prevalence is more common in adolescents that are active (4).
Musculoskeletal physiotherapists and other appropriately qualified healthcare professionals can provide you with a diagnosis by obtaining a detailed history of your symptoms. A series of physical tests might be performed as part of your assessment to rule out other potentially involved structures and gain a greater understanding of your physical abilities to help facilitate an accurate working diagnosis.
Your treating clinician will want to know how your condition affects you day-to-day so that treatment can be tailored to your needs and personalised goals can be established. Intermittent reassessment will ascertain if you are making progress towards your goals and will allow appropriate adjustments to your treatment to be made. Imaging studies such as MRIs, X-rays and ultrasounds are rarely needed in the diagnosis but in unusual presentations, they may be called for.
As Osgood–Schlatter disease is a self-limiting condition, self-management plays a key role in the management of symptoms. As part of your treatment and rehabilitation, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional will help you understand your condition and what you can do to effectively manage symptoms.
The recovery from this condition revolves mainly around reducing the stress to allow the tissues to settle down or the rate of growth to reduce. However, rehabilitation is important particularly to reduce any deconditioning during the recovery process.
90% of cases will resolve independently of treatment. However, low-intensity loading/flexibility work is known to improve pain (3, 6). Combining light stretching exercises with pain management strategies helps offload the aggravated tendon, whilst reducing pain. Pain should not exceed 3/10 on your self-perceived pain scale whilst completing this exercise programme.
Once symptoms begin to settle, you can gradually increase the levels of activity participation within the limits of your pain. This may include a gradual increase in training capacity (going from 2 to 4 days a week) and/or a gradual reintroduction of lower limb weight/resistance training with low weight/resistance. You may also be able to start taking part in light training drills. Discussions with coaches about how to integrate training is recommended. Avoiding the ‘boom and bust’ cycle by avoiding a rapid increase in training load or activity and gradually increasing your activity allows your muscles and tendons to adapt to the new level of activity. Rapidly increasing training frequency or intensity can result in overloading the muscles and tendons which can cause your symptoms to flare up. It is also important to allow for adequate rest between training/activity days to allow for the growth and repair of muscles and tendons after activity. Pain should not exceed 4/10 on your self-perceived pain scale whilst completing this exercise programme.
At the end stage of rehabilitation, near full levels of activity can be resumed within the constraints of your symptoms. A gradual increase in your levels of regular activity can be completed, as well as an increase in the intensity of your training or activity. More intense strength work can be included into your rehabilitation programme once pain has settled and you have made a successful return to sport. Pain should not exceed 4/10 on your self-perceived pain scale whilst completing this exercise programme.
For patients wanting to achieve a high level of function or return to sport we would encourage a consultation with a physiotherapist as you will likely require further progression beyond the advanced rehabilitation stage.
As part of a comprehensive treatment approach, your musculoskeletal physiotherapist may also use a variety of other pain relieving treatments to support symptom relief and recovery. Whilst recovering you might benefit from a further assessment to ensure you are making progress and establish the appropriate progression of treatment. Ongoing support and advice will allow you to self-manage and prevent future re-occurrence.
Please book an appointment with one of our physiotherapists if you think you are suffering from this condition and would like to find out more.
We have Pure Physiotherapy clinics across the country including Norwich, Ipswich, Manchester, Bolton, Wakefield and Sheffield. Please view our clinics to find the closest physiotherapy clinic for you.
Structural knee injury, triggered either by a tear or through wear and tear.
Seen to be normal as we age, but in some situations can result in knee aches, pain or joint swelling.
Knee pain at the lower border of the kneecap which is also known as ‘jumper’s knee’.
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