What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter disease is where there is an extra bone growth on the bone below the patella (knee cap). It is common in active adolescents especially those participating in sports that involve running, jumping and changing direction. The disease is associated with growth spurts and can occur in both knees in approximately 30% of cases.
What causes Osgood-Schlatter disease?
The exact reason for the onset of Osgood-Schlatter disease is unknown. Repeated stress of the quadriceps muscles on the tibial tuberosity and abnormal quadriceps tightness can lead to an enlargement of the tibial tubercle. Onset may be caused by the relative imbalance of strengthening quadriceps muscles compared with the growing bone. Other contributing factors include over training, poor or inadequate foot wear and poor lower limb biomechanics or running technique.
Signs and Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease:
Pain, tenderness, and swelling around the tibial tuberosity which is the bony prominence located just below the knee cap.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease Treatment:
Conservative treatment consists of rest from painful activities, icing, and NSAIDs until pain levels have reduced. A strengthening and stretching program will be devised by your Chartered Physiotherapist that involves both increasing the strength and flexibility of all the muscles around the knee. Your Chartered Physiotherapist here at Somerton Physiotherapy will also guide you through a return to sport protocol eventually back to your pre-injury status.
You can also check out our Running Performance Lab, located in our clinic in Castleknock GAA Clubhouse, where we provide a platform for recovering athletes to regain their full potential. We review your running technique from multiple angles in our state of the art facility. We then analyse your run using using world leading movement capturing software (Dartfish) in order to construct a plan tailored to your needs.
We treat runners of all backgrounds, whether you are a beginner, recreational runner or an elite athlete. If you are suffering from running related pain or just want to improve your running times, our detailed assessment and treatment plans and packages will help you to take your training to the next level. Click here for further details.
If you are looking for a Physio for Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Dublin, you can book an appointment to see one of our experienced Physio’s to get a more individualised assessment and treatment approach?
