Osgood-Schlatter disease is seen in the growing child and adolescent, particularly those who participate in athletics. This is an age where the bones are typically growing faster than the muscles and tendons. As a result, the muscles and tendons have a tendency to become tight. It is most common in young athletes who play games or sports that involve running and jumping.
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease was discovered and defined in 1903 by Dr. Robert Osgood and Dr. Carol Schlatter. Osgood-Schlatter disease is most often seen in preteen and teenage boys from 10 to 15 years old. It is common in young athletes who play games or sports that involve running, jumping, or going up and down stairs. Adolescent athletes who are affected are most often involved in football, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, or ballet.
Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome
The symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter syndrome depend on the severity of the condition, but may include:
- Pain in one or both knees
- Pain when straightening the knee joint or full squatting
- Pain on running, or going up and down stairs
- Pain that eases with rest
- A swollen tibial tuberosity
- Red and inflamed skin over the tibial tuberosity
- Quadriceps muscles that can sometimes lose strength and bulk.
Causes of Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome
Some of the causes of Osgood-Schlatter syndrome may include:
- Growth spurt – the condition tends to affect adolescent children. Affected boys are often aged about 13 to 14 years, while affected girls are often aged 10 to11 years.
- Exercise – active children, particularly those engaged in athletics and sports, are at increased risk.
- Gender – boys are more susceptible than girls, but perhaps this is because boys typically play more vigorous sports.
- Injury – around half of all children with the condition report a prior knee injury.
Running and jumping sports place a significant amount of chronic repetitive stress on the tibial tuberosity. Until a person reaches skeletal maturity, a growth plate exists underneath the attachment site of the patellar ligament. This growth plate becomes aggravated and irritated with repetitive stress, so that it becomes a site of pain anytime stress is applied to the shin. Usually though, there is not single event that can be identified as the genesis of Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Treatment for Osgood-Schlatter Syndrome in Augusta GA
As chiropractors in Augusta GA that specialize in sports injuries, we are able to customize your treatment with cold laser therapy. By applying cold laser therapy directly on the affected area, we can reduce the inflammation without the need for medications. Proprioceptive or knee stabilization exercises can also be incorporated into treatment to enhance recovery. Your customized treatment can also include include gentle, repeated progressive stretches to improve the length and flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Early treatment is best. If Osgood-Schlatter disease is not addressed correctly or if the parents feel that success in sports is more important than the growing body, adult problems may arise.
The Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic Blog is written by Dr. Mark Huntsman.
Augusta GA Chiropractor Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic provides customized treatments to Augusta GA, Martinez GA, and Evans GA patients. Visit the main website at www.georgia-clinic.com for a chiropractor in Augusta GA.
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