Osgood-Schlatter disease

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Definition Symptoms Causes When to seek medical advice Tests and diagnosis

Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies Coping and support

Definition

During your child's adolescent growth spurt, his or her bones grow rapidly. If your child is involved in a lot of running and jumping activities during this time, he or she is at risk of developing Osgood-Schlatter disease, an overuse syndrome that causes pain, swelling and tenderness over the bony prominence of the upper shinbone (tibial tuberosity) just below the kneecap. The condition is also referred to as tibial tuberosity apophysitis.

Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs more often in athletic kids than in nonathletes, affecting as many as one in five adolescent athletes. The condition commonly occurs in boys ages 13 to 14 and girls ages 11 to 12. Osgood-Schlatter disease is more common in boys.

Having Osgood-Schlatter disease can be frustrating, because your child may need to limit his or her running and jumping activity level for a short time. But Osgood-Schlatter disease is temporary, and as your child's bones finish growing, the pain should go away.

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Symptoms