Osgood-Schlatter disease is a painful condition causing inflammation just below the knee. Common in adolescents during growth spurts, Osgood-Schlatter disease can affect adults if not properly assessed and treated. Aptly named after Robert Osgood a U. As children make their way through adolescence and into adulthood, their bodies grow, sometimes rapidly. Muscles and tendons will not always grow at the same speed which can put added stress onto growth plates. The tibial tubercle, often becomes inflamed by overdevelopment of the quadricep muscles especially when combined with physical activity. The weakening of the tibial tubercle due to overstress and overuse leads to Osgood-Schlatter disease developing.

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Osgood-Schlatter Symptoms and Diagnosis
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition characterized by a painful inflammation bony knob or spur located under your kneecap patella. The cause of Osgood Schlatters is irritation on your growth plate tibial tuberosity , where your patellar tendon attaches to your shinbone tibia. As their quadricep muscle stretches, it pulls on their patellar tendon, which connects their kneecap to their shinbone. Therefore, this disease is rare among adults but not unheard of! Anybody who had Osgood-Schlatters as a child is more likely to keep getting it as an adult.
What Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
The tendon below your kneecap called the patellar tendon attaches to the tibial tuberosity on the shinbone called the tibia. Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammation caused by the constant pulling of the patellar tendon on the area below your knee where the tendon attaches. Doctors at UPMC Sports Medicine can diagnose this knee problem by asking about your symptoms and conducting a physical exam. You might not be able to prevent Osgood-Schlatter disease, but you may be able to lower your risk of getting it. When this tendon becomes inflamed, it can result in Osgood-Schlatter disease. Osgood-Schlatter disease is an overuse injury of the knee, common in growing adolescents. Osgood-Schlatter disease causes Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammation caused by the constant pulling of the patellar tendon on the area below your knee where the tendon attaches. Osgood-Schlatter disease diagnosis Doctors at UPMC Sports Medicine can diagnose this knee problem by asking about your symptoms and conducting a physical exam. He or she may do an x-ray to rule out any other knee injuries or problems. Limit any activities that could worsen the condition.
Medically reviewed by Drugs. Last updated on Jan 31, Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common, temporary condition that causes knee pain in older children and teenagers, especially those who play sports. During activities that include a lot of jumping and bending — hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer, skating, gymnastics, or ballet — the quadriceps muscle thigh muscle pulls tightly against the kneecap and the kneecap's anchor, the patellar tendon. The fibers of the patellar tendon are attached to the shinbone tibia. With repeated pulling against these fiber connections, the tendon can become inflamed at or near its bone attachment. The result is pain and swelling at the tibial tuberosity, which is a raised area at the top of the shinbone.