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Is Osgood-Schlatter disease serious?

Osgood-Schlatter disease is normally not serious, although it can be painful. In most children with the condition, symptoms will last months or years, but stop once the bones stop growing. In rare cases, the condition may lead to persistent pain that may require surgery.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that causes pain in the knees of children and adolescents. It often follows a growth spurt. It occurs because an overly tight patellar tendon pulls on part of the shinbone (tibia), damaging the bone.

What are the symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease causes pain in the knee, particularly when straightening the knee, squatting, kneeling, running or jumping. A red, swollen bump may form on the front of the shinbone, just below the kneecap.

What causes Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease most often occurs in children during a growth spurt, when the patellar tendon may be tighter than usual and so pulls on the shinbone (tibia), causing damage to the bone and inflammation. It is more common in children who are …

Who gets Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease generally occurs in children aged 9-14 years. It is most common at the time of the growth spurt associated with puberty. Once the bones stop growing in the mid-teens, Osgood-Schlatter disease can no longer develop.

How is Osgood-Schlatter disease diagnosed?

Osgood-Schlatter disease is usually diagnosed by a doctor performing a physical examination and asking about symptoms. X-rays may be recommended, but are not usually required for a diagnosis.

How is Osgood-Schlatter disease treated?

In most cases, simple management such as reducing the amount of physical activity, using mild pain-relief medications and ice packs to reduce pain and doing physiotherapy exercises are all that is needed to treat Osgood-Schlatter disease. In rare …

Will Osgood-Schlatter disease clear on its own?

In most cases Osgood-Schlatter disease will settle once the bones stop growing, in the mid-teens.

What factors can trigger Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease tend to occur following growth spurts in children, particularly fast growth at puberty.

What can make Osgood-Schlatter disease worse?

Participating in a lot of sports and activities that involve a lot of running and jumping can aggravate Osgood-Schlatter disease. It is usually not necessary to stop doing sports altogether, but in some cases reducing participation, or choosing …

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About this article

Author: Karen McCloskey BHSc
First answered: 23 Nov 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Votes: 581 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Knee pain

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