Although it sounds frightening, Osgood-Schlatter (pronounced “OZ-good SLOTer”) disease is a harmless and passing condition of knee pain in growing children. It occurs mainly between the ages of 11 and 12 for girls and 13 and 14 for boys, when they’re growing and their bones are developing rapidly. As a result, kids who frequently run or jump can develop this overuse condition. About one in five adolescent athletes is affected.

The problem is named after the American orthopedist Robert Osgood (1873–1956) and the Swiss surgeon Carl Schlatter (1864–1934), who described it in 1903. They found that a lot of activity pulls at the tendons attached to the shinbone and kneecap, causing the shinbone’s growth plate to swell. This leads to a tender bone bump about 2 inches below the knee. Kneeling, jumping, or running—or performing any activity in which the leg is fully extended—leads to pain.

A physician will diagnose the condition with an examination and, in some cases, an x-ray. Fortunately, Osgood-Schlatter usually goes away on its own without harmful side effects or complications. Children with the condition are advised to cut back on the athletic activities that aggravate the problem. In the meantime, icing the affected areas and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce the pain. Warming up properly before engaging in exercise may also lower the risk of inflammation.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. Osgood-Schlatter disease is also known as tibial tuberosity apophysitis.
  2. Usually, only one knee is affected.