by Phyllis Logie

Created on: November 08, 2010   Last Updated: November 21, 2010

Osgood-Schlatter disease, named after the two scientists, Robert-Bayley Osgood and Carl B. Schlatter who in 1903 undertook independent studies, to accurately describe physical changes which occur as a result of a skeletal condition affecting the bones of the lower front of the knee where the patellar tendon attaches to the bone of the lower leg.

This occurs when bone growth is faster than soft tissue growth and as a result stress is placed on the bone, which causes tugging placing pressure on the tendon, which as a result become inflamed and swollen, with evidence of calcification, which is clearly visible when the knees are X-Rayed.

The disease is commonly diagnosed in young and adolescent boys between the ages of ten and fifteen years old. However, to a much less degree, it can also occur in girls of a slightly younger age, between the ages of eleven and twelve years old.

The condition is extremely painful which is exacerbated particularly when walking, running, jumping, squatting, kneeling and when going up and down the stairs. Boys who are athletically active in sports where swift position changes are required, such as football, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics, have 21% reported incident of the syndrome as compared to boys of the same age who are non-athletic, with only 4.5% incidents of the disease. In 50% of cases the patient reports a history of trauma sometime before the diagnosis.  In 25% of cases both knees are affected.

The disease cannot easily be prevented; however it is recommended that a series of exercise to stretch the quadriceps and hamstring  be undertaken in an effort to help reduce tension around the area where the tendon is attached to the shinbone.  This should be done before embarking on any strenuous physical activity, whilst strengthening exercises can over time also help to stabilized the knees.

If after a period of complete rest the pain and swelling fails to subside, the physician should be contacted for advice. The symptoms are usually treated with pain-killing medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Resting the leg is high on the agenda, ice-packs, compression and elevation can all help to reduces the swelling and relieves the pain.  The body weight when walking can be taken off the leg with the aid of crutches, whilst strapping can help to render the knee immobile during the healing process. Surgical intervention is an option in extremely rare.

In all but 10% of cases the prognosis is considered to be excellent, with the condition generally righting itself over time when the child's bone growth is complete. This ten percent are sometimes left with knobbly knees as a lasting reminder of the condition in later life.

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