Knee pain / Osgood Schlatter’s

Osgood-Schlatter’s disease (tibial tubercle apophysitis) is a form of knee pain found in growing children. The pain normally occurs at the tibial tubercle which is a bump of bone in the front of the knee.  The pain from Osgood-Schlatter’s comes from a pulling of the patellar tendon on the tibial tubercle and the growth plate underneath.

This condition most often occurs during growth spurts when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are growing. Children who participate in running and jumping sports are at an increased risk for this condition. However, less active adolescents may also experience this problem.

Podiatry treatment for Osgood-Schlatter’s disease:

It is always good to consult with one of our experienced podiatrists for treatment of any knee pain or Osgood-Schlatter’s pain.  Podiatry treatment for knee pain would include:

• modifications of specific exercise routines to decrease the load on the knee
• assessment of footwear
• specific stretching and strength exercises
• prescription orthotics (shoe inserts) following a full biomechanical assessment (e.g.joint range of motions, muscle strength and gait assessment).  Your orthotics would take into consideration your daily routine and sports your partake in.

Surgery is often not needed for Osgood Schlatter’s Disease. This is because the cartilage growth plate eventually stops its growth and fills in with bone when the child stops growing. The bone is stronger than cartilage and less prone to irritation. The pain and swelling go away because there is no new growth plate to be injured. Pain linked to Osgood-Schlatter disease almost always ends when an adolescent stops growing.