What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter Disease is a condition that occurs in adolescents that involves pain and inflammation that occurs where the patellar tendon attaches to the lower let bone (tibia). It is commonly seen during a sports season that involves running and jumping (basketball, soccer, track).
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually made by identifying swelling and tenderness at the attachment of the patellar tendon to the front of the tibia. Often a bump is present at that location. Occasionally x-rays will reveal a bony prominence or sometimes an extra piece of bone where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia.
MRI scans are not usually necessary to help make the diagnosis in these patients.
Treatment
Surgery is almost never needed, as most cases of Osgood-Schlatter Disease will resolve as one reaches the end of adolescence. Often, activity restrictions are necessary to help resolve the symptoms. Warming up and stretching before activities and icing after can be helpful. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are sometimes necessary to help with the discomfort.