From the Research
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a self-limiting condition that can be effectively managed with conservative treatment, and most cases resolve within 12-18 months as the growth plate closes 1. The condition occurs when the patellar tendon pulls on the growth plate at the top of the tibia (shinbone), causing inflammation and pain.
Key Points to Consider
- Treatment typically involves rest from painful activities, ice application for 15-20 minutes several times daily, over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (200-400mg every 6-8 hours with food) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours), and specific stretching exercises for the quadriceps and hamstrings.
- During acute flare-ups, reducing high-impact activities like running and jumping is recommended, though complete rest is rarely necessary.
- Physical therapy may help with proper stretching techniques and strengthening exercises, with kinesiotherapeutic management and static stretching being crucial for the treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease 1.
- The condition occurs during growth spurts because the bones grow faster than muscles and tendons, creating tension at attachment points.
- While painful, Osgood-Schlatter is self-limiting and doesn't typically cause long-term problems once skeletal maturity is reached.
Prevention and Management
- Prevention strategies include quadriceps and hamstring stretching, which should be implemented in everyday practice routines for children who partake in regular sports activities 2.
- Risk factor reduction and prevention seem to be the most logical strategies to effectively prevent the appearance of the condition, particularly in those sports where high forces are generated on the insertion zone of the patellar tendon at sensitive ages 3.
- Early therapeutic intervention can lead to the absence of pathological changes in the tibial tubercle and the absence of recurrence of Osgood-Schlatter disease 1.