Osgood Schlatter Treatment

Osgood Schlatters will generally begin during periods of maximum growth. The condition is usually self-limiting, and symptoms will often settle as growth slows. Often symptoms will increase or decrease depending on the rate of the growth spurt.

This condition is associated with pain and swelling of the knees due to sports and constant stress around that area. The affected area will be painful to the touch and kneeling is especially painful.

Symptoms can include:

• Pain or aching in the front of the knee. It can occur on one or both legs
• Pain is usually first noticed during exercise and is more common with jumping, high impact sports
• As symptoms worsen, pain can be felt for 2-3 days after the cessation of activity

Osgood Schlatter treatment is most often prescribed for pre adolescents experiencing growth spurts between 9-14 years old. This is why the Osgood Schlatter Disease is often referred to as growing pains.

Young people who participate in high impact sports requiring constant squatting, bending, jumping and running (especially uphill) are more susceptible to this disorder than most.

One of the areas commonly affected is where the patella tendon attaches to the shin bone. The patella tendon pulls on its attachment, which is weaker due to the presence of a growth plate. The growth spurt puts more stress on the growth plate and the patellar tendon. The growth plate can become irritated by this extra force, creating pain inflammation and sometimes swelling.

Our trained professional physiotherapists will provide you the necessary information regarding the personal Osgood Schlatter treatment you or your child will receive, and give you guidance on how to proceed.

The following is an overview of the service, and the treatment procedures you will receive:

• Education regarding the fact the condition is self-limiting
• Anti-inflammatory strategies to help reduce the amount of inflammation occurring during and after exercise – e.g. compression, elevation of the knee
• Modification or reduction of activity levels during periods of symptom aggravation
• Taping to offload the patella tendon’s attachment to the tibial tuberosity
• Your physiotherapist may give you some strengthening and stretching exercises to build up and lengthen thigh muscles