How to Treat Osgood-Schlatter Disease? How To Get Rid of Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

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What Exactly Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

The bones of children and teenagers have a special area where the bone is growing called the growth plate. Growth plates are parts of cartilage located near the ends of bones. When a child is completely grown, the growth plates harden into solid bone.

Some growth plates aid as attachment sites for tendons, the strong tissues that connect muscles to bones. A bony bump named the tibial tubercle covers the growth plate at the end of the tibia. The cluster of muscles in the front of the thigh (called the quadriceps) attaches to the tibial tubercle.

When a child is active and involved in different kind of physical, the quadriceps muscles pull on the patellar tendon which in turn, pulls on the tibial tubercle. In some children, this tedious traction on the tubercle leads to swelling of the growth plate. The bump of the tibial tubercle may become quite noticeable.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common knee pain issue in growing adolescents. It is swelling in the area just below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap (that is patellar tendon) attaches to the shinbone (that is tibia).

Osgood-Schlatter disease most frequently occurs during growth age, when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are changing swiftly. Because physical activity puts added stress on bones and muscles, children who participate in athletics — particularly running and jumping sports like soccer, basketball, figure skating and ballet are at a bigger risk for Osgood-Schlatter disease. Though, less active youngsters may also experience this problem.

Osgood-Schlatter disease typically happens in boys ages 12 to 14 and girls ages 10 to 13. The difference is because girls enter puberty earlier than boys do. The ailment usually resolves on its own, once the child's bones stop growing.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease - Causes

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a soreness caused by the relentless pulling of the patellar tendon on the area below your knee where the tendon attaches.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease - Symptoms

Painful indicators are often carried on by running, jumping, and other sports-related activities. In some scenarios, both knees may have symptoms, although one knee may be worse than the other.

·        Knee pain at the tibial tubercle

·        Swelling at the tibial tubercle

·        Experience tight muscles in the front or back of the thigh

Sometimes the swollen tendon in your knee may twitch a small piece of the bone away from the shin.

Treatment for Osgood-Schlatter Disease

In most cases, Osgood-Schlatter disease improve itself with modest measures like rest, over-the-counter medication, and stretching and strengthening exercises and allow to return to your daily errands.

Treatment for Osgood-Schlatter disease can include:

·        R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method.

·        Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and inflammation.

·        Elastic wrap or a neoprene sleeve around the knee.

·        Physical therapy, stretching, and flexibility exercises for the thigh and leg muscles.

Please note Osgood-Schlatter disease seldom requires surgery in order to treat symptoms.

Treatment for Osgood-Schlatter disease emphases on reducing the pain and swelling. 

In few cases, rest from physical activity is required for quite a few months, followed by a strength training program. However, if the pain is miniscule, involvement in sports may be safe to continue.

Your doctor may recommend extra treatment methods, like:

·        Stretching exercises. Stretches for the back and front of the thigh (that is quadriceps and hamstring muscles) might help release pain and stop the disease from returning.

·        Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen decrease pain and swelling.

How To Prevent Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

You may not be able to prevent Osgood-Schlatter disease, but you are able to lower your risk of getting it.

Here are few tips on preventing the risk of Osgood-Schlatter disease:

·        Adjusting your activities.

·        Stretching your leg muscles regularly.

·        Involve in regular lower body strengthening exercises.

How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

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

Complications In Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Complications in Osgood-Schlatter disease are rare. If they happen, they might include chronic pain or restricted swelling.

Even after the issue has been resolved, a bony bump might persist on the shinbone just below the kneecap. This bump can continue to some extent throughout your child's life, but it doesn't usually interfere with knee purpose.

Final Thoughts

Long-term effects of Osgood-Schlatter disease usually aren't serious. Some may have a trouble-free bump below the knee that doesn't go away. Very infrequently, doctors will do surgery to eliminate a painful bump below the knee.