Medical Questions » Legs Questions » Question No. 578
| Question: | Our 16 year old son has been diagnosed as having Osgood-Schlatter' s disease in his left knee. He has been to an acupuncturist, physiotherapist and two doctors, none of whom could offer relief or cure. He usually plays a lot of sport and would like to continue his involvement. Is there a cure? |
| Answer: | Osgood-Schlatter' s disease is a relatively common condition of rapidly growing children between 12 and 16. It is a self-limiting condition that usually gets better by itself, but the condition is prolonged by sport or othet activity.
Just below the knee on the front of the calf bone (the tibia) there is a small swelling or lump on the bone. This is where the large tendon that runs from the kneecap to the tibia is attached. When the large muscles on the front of the rhigh contract, they pull on the knee cap, which then pulls on the tibia to straighten the knee. With running and other exercises involving the knee, enormous forces are placed on both the knee cap and the tendon attachment into the top of the tibia.
In rapidly growing children, the bones are softer than at other times. Osgood-Schlatter' s disease is the result of sport on soft bone, as the lump on the front of the tibia is slightly pulled away from the rest of the soft bone, resulting in pain and tenderness.
The only treatment is prolonged rest, with no stress to the knee. In severe cases, the patient is put on crutches, or even in plaster.
If your son stops sport for a season and rests his knee it will get better. If he does not, his pain will persist.
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