Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Understanding and Managing Knee Pain & Bumps
Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a traction apophysitis of the tibial tubercle in adolescents (10–15 years) during growth spurts.
Pathophysiology
Repetitive quadriceps pull on patellar tendon → microtrauma at tibial tubercle apophysis → inflammation, fragmentation, ossification irregularity.
Symptoms
- Pain, swelling, tenderness at tibial tubercle
- Worse with running, jumping, kneeling, stairs
- Prominent bony bump (ossified fragmentation)
Management
- Activity modification: Reduce impact, not total rest
- Ice: 15 min post-activity
- Quadriceps/hamstring stretching: Reduces tendon tension
- Strengthening: Core, hip, knee control
- Strapping/taping: Patellar tendon strap
- NSAIDs: Short-term for pain
Prognosis
Self-limiting at skeletal maturity. Bump may persist cosmetically but rarely causes long-term dysfunction. Surgery (tibial tubercle osteotomy) only for refractory adult cases.
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