Osgood-Schlatter's Disease: Symptoms, Cause and Treatment

Osgood-Schlatter's disease is one knee diagnosis which causes pain and swelling just below the patella towards the inner tibia. Osgood-Schlatters occurs in the area where the patellar tendon attaches to a bone attachment in the knee called tibial tuberosity. The knee diagnosis is often abbreviated to "slatters" or "schlatters".

Who is affected by Osgood-Schlatter's disease?

Older children and teenagers often get Osgood-Schlatters during a period when they are going through a lot of growth. Young athletes, especially runners, gymnasts, handball players, soccer players and basketball players are more often affected by this diagnosis. This problem may return during the period when the child grows, but should stop again when the child's growth period stops. Osgood-Schlatter disease can leave a painless bone growth that persists long after the problem itself has resolved.

The Pain Clinics: Our Interdisciplinary and Modern Clinics
Our clinic departments at Vondtklinikkene (click here for a complete overview of our clinics) has a distinctively high level of professional expertise in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of knee diagnoses. Contact us if you want the help of therapists with expertise in knee pain.

Cause: What causes Osgood-Schlatter's Disease?

Osgood-Schlatter's disease is due to too much strain on the muscles and tendons that stabilize the knee. Repetitive loading, without sufficient supporting muscles, can cause the patellas to pull away from the inner tibia - which puts a lot of strain on the attachment point of the tibial tuberosity. This can cause knee pain and swelling at the mentioned point. This type of overload has a higher chance of occurring during a growth period. As mentioned, certain sports are also overrepresented as a basis for this condition - especially sports that involve jumping and running.

Relief and load management for the prevention of knee pain

As mentioned, this is due to Schlatter's overload. We therefore recommend the use of knee compression support to provide a basis for increased stability and relief. The support can also be used actively preventively.

Tips: Knee compression support (The link opens in a new window)
Click on the image or link to read more about the knee compression support and how it can help your knee.

Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatters

Schlatters hits only one knee - normally - but in some rare cases it can hit both. The pain is often on and off - which must be seen in connection with growth periods and stress periods in the child.

Common symptoms of Osgood-Schlatters may be:

Mild swelling or a coolness under the kneecap at the top of the tibia
Pain that gets worse with exercise and activity
Pain or pressure at the front of the knee

Diagnosis: How to diagnose Osgood-Schlatters?

The diagnosis is made through history taking and clinical examination. Normally, you will not need an X-ray to be able to make the diagnosis - as it is quite characteristic. Imaging will only be used - possibly - to rule out other diagnoses that may cause knee pain. But as mentioned, the above survey is often enough.

Treatment of Osgood-Schlatters

There are many possible treatments in relation to Osgood-Schlatters, but as mentioned, the most important thing is that the supporting muscles can withstand the strain they are dealing with. If the supporting muscles are strong enough to keep the pressure away from the knee, this may be enough to prevent the condition or prevent further development - but this requires personal effort and regular specific training.

It may be appropriate to temporarily stay away from the provocative sport / activity, but it is not advisable to quit - as this can be negative on several levels for the child, both socially and mentally.

A chiropractor or physiotherapist can help the child with customized treatment and setup of exercise programs. A modern chiropractor combines joint treatment with muscular work, as well as instruction in home exercises for long-term improvement. Other treatment techniques may involve massage and stretching.

Want more moving joints? Exercise regularly!

Regular training: Research has shown that the most important thing you do is exercise regularly. Exercising regularly increases blood circulation to muscles, tendons and not least; the joints. This increased circulation takes nutrients into the exposed joints and helps to keep them healthy. Go for a walk, practice yoga, exercise in a hot water pool - do what you like, because the most important thing is that you do it regularly and not just in the "skipper's roof". If you have reduced everyday function, it is recommended that exercise is combined with muscle and joint treatment to make everyday life easier.

If you are unsure of what kind of training this entails or if you need an exercise program - then you are advised to contact physical therapist or modern chiropractor for setting up an exercise program tailored to you personally. You can also use the search box here on our website to search for exercises that are suitable for you and your problems.

Special training with exercise bands can be particularly effective in building stability from the bottom up, especially the hip, seat and lower back - due to the fact that the resistance then comes from different angles that we are almost never exposed to - then often in combination with regular back training. Below you see an exercise that is used for hip and knee problems (called MONSTERGANGE). You will also find many more exercises under our main article: training (see the top menu or use the search box).