Osgood Schlatters Disease & Physiotherapy

 

Osgood Schlatters is a painful knee condition that commonly affects adolescents. Pain is typically felt at the top of the shin bone (tibia) onto a bony bump known as the tibial tuberosity. This is where the quadriceps/patellar tendon attaches into the bone.

It is thought that during a growth spurt the bone grows quicker than the muscles and tendon and this causes the quadriceps tendon to pull at the attachment site of the tibia which causes pain. Pain is typically worse with repeated knee straightening, especially with sports such as running and jumping.  

Diagnosis of Osgood Schlatters is done by examination and an X-ray is not needed to confirm diagnosis. Pain is typically worse with repeated knee straightening, especially with sports such as running and jumping.  

Osgood Schlatters is known as a self-limiting condition, meaning that it will settle over time. There is not a great deal of evidence that rest accelerates the healing process, so it is important to get information from your physiotherapist to determine how to best manage this condition.

Treatment options are tailored to the individual and may include advice involving cryotherapy, stretching, soft tissue work, correction of biomechanics and controlling symptoms through load management. The most important aspect is looking in detail at the person's training program and altering to minimise aggressive tendon loading activities.

If you are suffering from Osgood Schlatter's disease, please contact Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy to arrange an assessment from one of our sports physiotherapists.