Injuries Athletic Therapists Treat- A Monthly Series
Welcome to our monthly series!
Our goal is to share with YOU how Athletic Therapy can help you recover from common injuries you or a loved one may be experiencing. Each month will showcase and discuss a new condition athletic therapists see and treat each day
Enjoy!
Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease
Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease (OSD) is a common condition that affects active adolescents during their growth spurts, but it is not as scary as the word ‘disease’ makes it sound.
What is Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease?
OSD is an overuse injury that occurs at the tibial tuberosity, where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone (tibia). It is most prevalent in adolescents aged 10–15 years, particularly those involved in sports requiring running, jumping, and quick directional changes. Higher risk activities include soccer, basketball, and track The condition is associated with repetitive strain of the patellar (knee cap) tendon and microtrauma at the growth plate of the tibial tuberosity, leading to inflammation, pain and an enlargement of the top of the shinbone.
While the condition has the word disease in its name, it is important to understand that it is NOT a TRUE disease in which someone gets infected with, gets sick from or takes special medication for as one would if they were sick with a disease.
Signs & Symptoms Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease
- Localized Pain: Typically at the tibial tuberosity, worsening with activity and improving with rest.
- Swelling: Mild to moderate, often visible around the affected area.
- Reduced Flexibility: Tightness in the quadriceps and hamstrings is common.
- Activity-Related Discomfort: Symptoms are often triggered by running, jumping, kneeling, or climbing stairs.
- Visible Bump: A prominent, tender bump may develop at the tibial tuberosity due to bone growth in response to stress.
How is Osgood-Schlatter Treated?
The primary goals in managing OSD are to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and maintain functionality while preventing recurrence.
1. Education and Activity Modification
- Rest: A temporary reduction in high-impact activities that aggravate symptoms.
- Cross-Training: Low-impact activities like swimming or cycling can maintain fitness & cardio-vascular levels without stressing the knee.
- Ergonomic Adjustments: Proper warm-up and cool-down routines, including dynamic and static stretching can be beneficial
2. Manual Therapy and Soft Tissue Techniques
- Use techniques such as myofascial release or soft tissue massage to address muscle tightness in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves may help
3. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
- Quadriceps Stretching & Hamstring and Calf Stretching: To reduce tension on the patellar tendon and improve overall lower body flexibility
- Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening of the quadriceps and core stabilization exercises may help reduce strain on the knee.
4. Pain Management
- Applying heat or ice to the tibial tuberosity post-activity can help reduce the pain
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be helpful for pain relief in severe cases.
5. Taping or Bracing
6. Gradual Return to Play
For athletes and parents navigating Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease, early intervention and collaborative care are key to long-term success. If you think you’ve got OSD and need help managing and treating it, reach out to us today by going HERE.