Osgood-Schlatter Disease Treatment

About This Treatment

Franciscan Health specialists will review your child's health history, sports and other activities, and conduct a thorough physical exam. This may include an X-ray of the affected knee. This will help them to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the next steps for treatment.

Osgood-Schlatter disease surgery is rarely needed; however your provider can offer treatment and recommend activity modifications to keep your child as active and pain-free as possible. The condition may go away on its own when the child's growth slows. Until that time, your doctor may recommend a variety of treatments for Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Typical treatment for Osgood-Schlatter disease may include:

• Limiting activity
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin to reduce pain and swelling
• Wrapping the knee with an elastic bandage or a neoprene knee sleeve
• Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen thigh and leg muscles
• RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation)

What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs from overuse of your knees, which causes pain and inflammation at the tibial tubercle — the bony bump where the patellar (knee cap) tendon attaches to the tibia (shinbone). Osgood-Schlatter disease is common in growing children. It most often affects boys ages 10 to 15. It usually happens during growth when a child's body is changing fast.

Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease can include:

• Limping (can be worse after jumping activities)
• Soreness below the knee
• Swelling below the knee