What is Osgood Schlatters disease?

One way for us to prevent a disease from corrupting our health is by guarding ourselves with the basic knowledge pertaining to the ailment. Nowadays, there are already countless diseases that could be experienced by men. Some of these are even considered unusual or uncommon just like the Osgood Schlatters disease. What is the Osgood Schlatters disease?

What is Osgood Schlatters Disease?

Osgood Schlatters disease is actually a very common cause of knee pain particularly in children and young athletes aged 10 to 15 years old. This disease is caused by the rapid growth or development of the body in combination to the high level of sporting activity. Because of these changes and tension in the knee area, the patella tendon if forcefully pulled onto the tibial tuberosity, which is the bony protrusion found at the top of the shin. The area then becomes inflamed which causes it to become very painful and swollen. This is common among younger individuals due to their remaining softness in the bones. The name of the disease came from the names of two physicians who defined the knee problem in the year 1903. These physicians are Dr. Robert Osgood and Dr. Carl Schlatter.

Identifying the Symptoms of Osgood Schlatters Disease

One of the most common or indicative symptoms of Osgood Schlatters Disease is the pain located at the tibial tuberosity, which is located just beneath the knee area. The tibial tuberosity can also become swollen and inflamed. Tenderness and pain can also worsen during and after exercise. In addition to this, pain is also observed during the contraction of the quadriceps against the resistance or during the contraction of the muscles while extending the legs.

Causes of Osgood Schlatters Disease

There are actually several factors that could cause the occurrence of this disease. The patella tendon is inserted at the tibial tuberosity which is why an overuse of this muscle can tug away at the bone thus resulting to inflammation. This is the reason why this disease is more common among children since they are more active in running and jumping activities that can add great strain on the patella tendon. Once this type of trauma is being repeated over and over again, a new bone starts to grow during the healing process, which produces the lump that is felt at the tibial tuberosity. This disease mainly affects young body aged 10 to 15 years old. This normally clears up as soon as they stop growing and their tendons become stronger. However, some cases of Osgood can persist into adulthood.

Treatment and Intervention of Osgood Schlatters Disease

The number one intervention for Osgood Schlatters disease is none other than rest. Just like most other injuries, rest is needed in order to provide fast healing and recovery of the affected site. Doing slight exercises is good as long as it does not cause any pain on the injured area. However, doing weight bearing exercises can make the situation worse, which is why this must be avoided. It is recommended that exercise sessions must kept few and in high quality rather than doing it frequently or every day.

The application of ice pack or cold therapy can also help in soothing the injured portion. Doing this regularly throughout the day can significantly reduce the pain and the inflammation. Ice pack must be applied at least 3 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes. Aside from this, gentle stretching of the quadriceps can also provide comfort on the area. Using of knee support or knee strap can likewise reduce tension from the knees. Aside from doctors or physicians, we can also try to consult a sports injury professional. A sport injury professional is capable of providing correct diagnosis in order to confirm the existence of Osgood Schlatters disease. The use the different sports massage techniques on the quads as well as the patella tendon can also be effective.

Nevertheless, if the condition is already under severe cases, an X-ray is already needed in order to visualize how much damage is done on the site. Some people can even use plaster cast for at least three weeks in order to help immobilize the site and reduce the production of pain. Aside from this, the intake of analgesic medications can be done if the pain is already unbearable or intolerable. Nonetheless, the doctor’s advice is still required before using any pharmacologic interventions to treat the condition.

These are just some of the common facts and details regarding the knee injury called Osgood Schlatters Disease. This disease is commonly mistaken for another type of knee injury due to its very common symptoms. This is why a health expert is required in order to diagnose the problem correctly and provide appropriate actions to the situation.

What is Osgood Schlatters disease?