Osgood-Schlatter Disease

How Is It Treated?

OSD usually goes away by age 18 or when a teenager's bones mature. Until then, only the symptoms need treatment. Rest is the key to pain relief. Parents find it a cruel irony that the most active kids are most likely to get OSD — and also the ones least likely to rest the affected area.

In mild cases, doctors advise that kids limit the activities that cause pain. They might be able to continue their sports as long as the pain remains mild. When symptoms flare up, a short break from sports might be necessary.

After your child gets back in the game, shock-absorbent insoles can decrease stress on the knee. Applying moist heat for 15 minutes before or icing for 20 minutes after activity can minimize swelling. Wrestling gel pads and basketball knee pads (available at sporting goods stores) can protect a tender shin from bumps and bruises. A good stretching program, focusing primarily on the hamstring and quadriceps muscles, before and after activity is important. Your doctor might also suggest over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen, or prescription anti-inflammatory medicines.

More severe cases require more rest, usually a total break from sports and physical activities. Active kids may find this very difficult, but the knee cannot heal without rest. Some teens wind up with a cast or brace to enforce the doctor's orders. After a prolonged time off, kids will need to ease back into activity carefully, usually with physical therapy to learn stretching and strengthening exercises.

Long-term consequences of OSD are usually minor. Some kids may have a permanent, painless bump below the knee. In rare cases, they may develop a painful, bony growth below the kneecap that must be surgically removed. About 60% of adults who had OSD as kids experience some pain with kneeling.

Sports Safety

Sports and exercise offer many benefits, but also the risk of injury. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, sports activities are the second most frequent cause of injury for both male and female adolescents.

Although OSD cannot be prevented, its impact can be minimized by following sports safety guidelines:

• Parents and coaches must teach young athletes to protect their bodies as their skills develop.
• Trained coaches should supervise sports programs.
• Kids should warm up and stretch for 15 to 30 minutes before and after activities.
• Injured kids should never be encouraged to "play through the pain."
• Always remember that sports exist for the emotional and physical good of the kids, not the team or interested adults.

Reviewed by: Peter G. Gabos, MD
Date reviewed: November 2010