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Hadj Sadok Chiraz

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD)

Updated: Mar 12, 2022



 


 

Outline🛣️


 

Short & Sweet Intro🧁


Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a common cause of knee pain in teenagers. It is an inflammation of the area just under the knee where the knee tendon tendon is attacked (attile) to Shinbone (Tibia).

Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs more often during growth splashes when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are changing rapidly. Because physical activity puts additional stress on bones and muscles, children(usually around 9–14 years old) who participate in athletics — especially running and jumping sports — are at an increased risk for this condition. It is an overuse injury. This means it happens when an adolescent makes the same movements over and over again.

However, less active teenagers may also experience this problem. In most cases of Osgood-Schlatter disease, OSD goes away when a child stops growing and usually doesn't cause lasting problems. simple measures like rest, ice, over-the-counter medication, and stretching and strengthening exercises will relieve pain and allow a return to daily activities.

Causes

The bones of children and adolescents possess a special area where the bone is growing called the growth plate. Growth plates are areas of cartilage located near the ends of bones. where most of the bone's growth occurs .When a child is fully grown, the growth plates harden into solid bone. It's weaker and prone to injury than the rest of the bone. Some growth plates serve as attachment sites for tendons, the strong tissues that connect muscles to bones.

A bony bump called the tibial tubercle covers the growth plate at the end of the tibia. The group of muscles in the front of the thigh (called the quadriceps) attaches to the tibial tubercle.

When a child is active, the quadriceps muscles pull on the patellar tendon which, in turn, pulls on the tibial tubercle. In some children, this repetitive traction on the tubercle leads to inflammation of the growth plate. The prominence, or bump, of the tibial tubercle may become very pronounced.

Signs & Symptoms

Painful symptoms are often brought on by running, jumping, and other sports-related activities. In addition, severe pain may lead to limping. In some cases, OSD can happen in one or both knees.

● Knee pain and tenderness at the tibial tubercle

● Swelling at the tibial tubercle

● Tight muscles in the front or back of the thigh

✨Diagnosis✨

During the appointment, your child's doctor will discuss your child's symptoms and general health. They will conduct a thorough examination of the knee to determine the cause of the pain.


This will include applying pressure to the tibial tubercle, which should be tender or painful for a child with Osgood-Schlatter disease. In addition, the doctor may also ask your child to walk, run, jump, or kneel to see if the movements bring on painful symptoms.

Your child's doctor may also order an X-ray image of your child's knee to help confirm the diagnosis or rule out any other problems.


Treatments🔥

Treatments are centered on reducing pain and swelling. This typically requires limiting exercise activity until your child can enjoy activity without discomfort or significant pain afterwards.


Strength-Conditioning Program

In some cases, rest from activity is required for several months, followed by a strength conditioning program. However, if your child does not have a large amount of pain or a limp, it may be safe for them to continue participating in sports.

Physical Therapy

Sometimes health care providers recommend physical therapy to keep leg muscles strong and flexible while a child gets better. It doesn't happen often, but some kids might need a total break from all sports and physical activities.

To help your child feel more comfortable while healing from OSD:

Stretching exercises: Stretches for the front and back of the thigh (quadriceps and hamstring muscles) may help relieve pain and prevent the disease from returning.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen reduce pain and swelling.

Ice: Icing the inflamed area may reduce pain and swelling. Use cold packs on the knee every 1–2 hours for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly to the skin,Put a thin towel between the ice and your child's skin to protect it from the cold.

Controversial Side: Side Effects

NSAIDs can have side effects. These are rare and usually only affect who take the medications for a long time. The side effects can include:


● Heartburn.

● Pain in the stomach.

● Dizziness.

● Lightheadedness.

● headaches.

● Stomach ulcers.

● High blood pressure (hypertension).


How Long Does OSD Last?

Osgood-Schlatter disease usually goes away when the bones stop growing. Typically, this is when a teen is between 14 and 18 years old.

Can Kids With OSD Still Do Sports?

Yes, kids with OSD can usually do their normal activities, including sports, as long as:

● The pain is not bad enough to interfere with the activity.

● The pain gets better within one day with rest.

For kids who play sports, it can help to:


● Wear shock-absorbing insoles in their sneakers and cleats.

● Put a heating pad or warm washcloth on the knee for 15 minutes before sports.

● Put ice on the knee for 15 minutes after the activity (with a towel between the ice and the skin).

● Wear protective kneepads, especially for wrestling, basketball, and volleyball.

● Stretch before and after sports.

Looking Ahead & Present Research

Long-term effects of OSD usually aren't serious. Some kids may have a painless bump below the knee that doesn't go away. Very rarely, doctors will do surgery to remove a painful bump below the knee. Some adults who had OSD as kids or teens have some pain with kneeling. If your child still has knee pain after the bones stop growing, see your health care provider. The provider can check for other causes of knee pain.


 

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