Osgood-Schlatter disease

A relatively common overuse injury caused by chronic, repetitive stress to the attachment of the patellar tendon (the tendon between the knee bone and shin bone) on the bony outgrowth at the top of the shin bone. The injury commonly occurs in children who take part in sports such as skating, gymnastics, and football. These sports require a lot of knee bending and jumping and expose the bony outgrowth to great tensile stress. This may damage the cartilaginous growth zone (epiphyseal plate), causing it to separate from the surrounding bone. The condition usually heals spontaneously after rest, but it may lead to permanent damage if the sufferer does not rest; activity may have to be restricted for several months. Occasionally surgical treatment is required.

An injury of growing children in which the attachment of the patellar tendon on the tubercle at the top of the tibia is damaged through over-use. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a form of apophysitis in which the tibial apophysis and the growth centres of the bones of the tubercle of the tibia become inflamed. It is usually presented as pain over the tibial tubercle, and pain when extending the knee against a resistance. It commonly occurs in children aged 9-14 years who take part in spurts that involve repetitive knee-bending, such as football, skating, and jumping. Kneebending imposes great tensile stress at the attachment point of the patellar tendon that, in young athletes, is still soft. Repeated, excessive stress may cause an epiphyseal avulsion. Osgood-Schlatter's disease usually heals spontaneously as the athlete matures and the cartilage in the epiphysis is replaced by bone. Some doctors believe that the knee should be immobilized and all activity restricted for a period from a few weeks to 3 years. Other doctors believe that athletes with this condition can continue exercising with slight discomfort, but they should avoid activities that cause pain sufficiently severe to limit movement Sometimes a piece of bone (a fragment of the tubercle) develops in the tendon. This bone may have to be removed surgically. Removal is best delayed until growth has been completed to avoid growth plate arrest and structural abnormalities such as valgus of the knees.

Osteochondrosis of the tibial tubercle. Also called Schlatter-Osgood disease.