Osgood Schlatters

Is your child complaining of pain at the top of the shin/below the knee?
Do they have a painful lump below their knee?
Does this worsen with running and jumping activities?
Has your child been unable to compete at their best ability due to pain?

Your child may be suffering from Osgood Schlatters Disease…

What is Osgood Schlatters Disease (OSD)?

It is a painful knee condition that predominately affects adolescents.

Pain is specific to just below the knee, at the very top of the shinbone, as seen in the photo above.

During a growth spurt your child may complain of pain just below the knee. This is due to tightening of the thigh muscle, as the thighbone increases its length. The result tensions the patella tendon placing an increased pressure on its bone connection below the knee.

Your child may also have recently increased their level of activity within their chosen sports, adding to the potential risk of developing this condition.If left untreated, pain may continue and your child may have to miss a number of months from their sport.

Who’s at risk?

Children between 8 – 15 years of age.

How to fix the problem?

Rest

Modification and rest from physical activity can help to reduce the symptoms associated with OSD.
Your child may be able to continue playing sports with a comprehensive plan provided by your Physiotherapist.

Manual Therapy

Hands-on physio treatment from your child’s Physiotherapist is ideal to help reduce the tension placed on the front of the knee by the Quadriceps muscle.
A guided strengthening and stretching plan will also help to alleviate and fix the knee injury.

Taping