Is your child complaining of anterior knee pain during sports/play activities? They may be suffering from Osgood-Schlatter disease, a common inflammatory condition in growing adolescents. Pain from Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs just below the knee, where the patellar tendon is inserting on the tibialturbercle. Symptoms are commonly triggered with sport activities, especially those involving jumping and running. Active children are most susceptible during growth spurts due to the rapid changes taking place in muscles, tendons, and bones. During sports when the child is running, jumping, etc, repetitive contraction of the quadriceps pulls on the patellar tendon, which pulls on its insertion point on the tibial tubercle, causing irritation/inflammation and often a more pronounced and tenderbump on the front of the shin.
So how do you treat it? Resting from activity and regular use of cold packs can help reduce irritation/inflammation and reduce pain. Regular stretching, especially of the quads, hamstrings, hip flexors, and calves, is also important to improve flexibility and reduce irritation. Because a growing adolescent’s body is undergoing so many physiological changes, appropriate strength training of the legs/pelvis and core is also essential to help improve overall stability to aid during the demands of sports. A physical therapist can aid in evaluating your child’s needs and prescribing appropriate stretches and strength/stability exercises so they can return to the specific needs oftheir sports.
For more information on specific interventions, or if you know anyone who may have Osgood-Schlatter disease, contact us at ProActive Physical therapy to set up an appointment with one of our therapists.
References:
Osgood-Schlatter Disease.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.May 2015. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00411.