Understanding Osgood Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Sports Chiropractic | Charlotte, North Carolina

Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD) is a condition that primarily affects young adolescents who are undergoing rapid growth spurts.

This condition is characterized by inflammation and pain on the bony protuberance that the patellar tendon attaches to.

The condition generally develops during periods of intense physical activity such as sports or other high-impact activities that place stress on the knee joint.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease is more common in boys than girls, and it typically affects children between 10 and 14 years old.

What Is Osgood Schaltter Disease And How Is It Diagnosed

The cause of Osgood Schaltters is known to be from a rapid period of growth causing the femur to grow faster than the muscles and tendons can keep up with. This leads to a pull on the attachment site leading to pain and inflammation.

Osgood Schaltters Disease can easily be diagnosed from the distinct location of pain and age demographic. OSD will always present with pain and inflammation to the tibial tuberosity. The tibial tuberosity is the attachment site of the patellar tendon.

Signs and Symptoms of Osgood Schlatter Disease

The signs and symptoms of Osgood Schlatter disease include pain, swelling, and tenderness on the tibial tuberosity. The knee may also feel warm to the touch and may show signs of inflammation.

In some cases, there may be a visible bump or lump just below the kneecap. These symptoms can make it challenging to participate in sports or even walk up stairs.

Treatment Methods For Osgood Schaltter Disease

At Denner Chiropractic & Performance there are a number of treatment options that offer relief from OSD. Due to the mechanism of OSD, the main goal of treatment is to provide length to the muscles that insert and attach to the tibial tuberosity.

Our Treatment approach includes

DNS Rehabilitation Exercises
Soft tissue manipulation
Dry needling
Kinesio Taping

DNS and soft tissue manipulation provide our patients with strength, stability, and length to the muscles that contribute to OSD, Dry needling and kinesio taping provide fast pain relief and help to decrease inflammation.

Q & A | Osgood Schlatter Disease

Does Osgood Schlatters ever go away?

Yes, Osgood-Schlatters will go away once the period of rapid growth is over. Treatment can help patients with Osgood Schlatters find pain relief, allowing them to perform activities with no limitations.

How Long Does Osgood Schaltters Disease Usually Last?

Osgood Schlatters typically can last anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years.

Can Osgoodschaltters Disease Affect Adults, Or Is It Only A Condition That Affects Children And Adolescents?

Osgood Schlatters is only found in adolescents. If an adult is experiencing knee pain it is from a different diagnosis. Often adult patients will experience patellar tendonitis which can have similar signs and symptoms.

Is Osgood-Schlatters serious?

The complications in most cases are not serious. Short-term symptoms include pain and inflammation usually during sporting activities such as running and jumping. When in adulthood patients with a history of Osgood Schlatters may have developed a bump below their knee cap.