Osgood Schlatter

Condition

This is a condition that affects the growing part of bone called the growth plate. There is a growth plate on the upper end of the tibia at the tibial tuberosity (this is the bony prominence just underneath the knee joint at the front) where the patella tendon inserts. Disturbance at this growth plate is called Osgood Schlatter’s disease.

What causes Osgood Schlatter’s disease ?

During growth, as the bones grow, the muscles and tendons have to stretch with the bone. If there is increased stress to the muscle / tendon, then it pulls at the growth plate and causes symptoms. In severe cases, the blood supply to the bone is interrupted and this can cause an area of the bone to die (avascular necrosis).

Will it get worse?

Left un-treated, most musculoskeletal problems deteriorate, eventually causing reduced activity.

What are the common symptoms?

• Pain directly over the prominent bone.
• Pain on exercise or stretching the muscle/tendon that inserts into the bone; in this case, the quadriceps muscle group.
• Enlargement of the bone
• Pain on kneeling

How is it recognised?

• Clinical examination and a detailed history allow diagnosis.
• A detailed 3D gait analysis can help to diagnose the contributing factors.
• When necessary an MRI scan can help diagnosis.

What can I do to reduce the pain?

There are several things that you can do to try and relieve your symptoms:

• Rest
• Ice
• Quadriceps and hamstring stretches
• See a podiatrist

What will Premier Podiatry do?

If simple measures do not reduce your symptoms, there are other options:

• Confirm the diagnosis / arrange any necessary investigations
• Advise appropriate shoes
• Advise exercises
• Consider prescribing orthotics
• In resistant cases, perform a detail 3D gait analysis to diagnose the under lying factors that may contribute to injury.

The way in which your foot loads during walking can place increased stress on the foot and this can be controlled by special shoe inserts (orthotics). Whilst these do not correct the position of your foot, they guide motion to reduce symptoms and the risk of further injury.

In many cases orthotics are only required for a short period of time to help resolve symptoms whilst function is improved with an appropriate rehabilitation plan. Our sophisticated 3D gait analysis allows us to advise patients the length of time they will require orthotics.

Will this cure the problem?

In many cases, the conservative treatments are sufficient to resolve the symptoms and prevent further damage. However, there will be a risk of recurrent symptoms with further growth, especially if the stretching exercises are stopped or activity levels become excessive.

The symptoms general settle when the growth plate fuses (i.e. growth has stopped) although there is a risk of developing problems with the tendon at the insertion.

What will happen if I leave this alone?

It is likely to get worse and affect your ability to exercise although, rest with no treatment may be sufficient to settle the symptoms.

How can I cure the deformity?

It is very rare for anyone to need surgery for this condition.