Enfermedad de Osgood Schlatter

What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease is defined by pain located in the anterior tibial tuberosity, the distal insertion of the patellar tendon, during sports or physical activity. Swelling is often associated with the pain in this area.
It is a very common cause of knee pain in children between 10 and 15 years of age, with cases also found in children younger than this age range. It is more common in males.

What is the cause of Osgood-Schlatter disease?

It is caused by mechanical overload on a growth plate located in the tibia. These growth plates are a frequent site of injury due to their fragility. Intense physical activity causes excessive traction of the patellar tendon on this tibial growth plate, resulting in continued overload. This leads to impaired vascularization, impaired ossification, and inflammation in an attempt to repair itself.

How is Osgood-Schlatter disease treated?

The goal of treatment is focused on pain reduction. Various measures are available for this purpose:

• Rest from sports (the child should be kept active if possible).
• Stretching exercises, focusing on the thigh, quadriceps, and hamstring muscles.
• Applying ice for 20 minutes after exercise.
• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• If these measures do not reduce pain, cessation of sports activity is indicated, and in severe cases, immobilization.

This condition usually resolves within 12 to 18 months, leaving no lasting effects.

Make an appointment with Dr. Jordi Jiménez. He will see you in the center of Palma and help you regain your quality of life.