Kneecap is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the cartilage that is located between the upper end of the tibia and the bottom of the kneecap, just below the knee joint.
This disease usually appears at a growing age (around 9 and 15 years old); being one of the most frequent knee injuries in the youth stage; where both children and adolescents run, jump and practice some type of sport more regularly, for example: football, basketball, volleyball or gymnastics.
Causes of Osgood Schlatter Disease
Osgood Schlatter’s injury is attributed to overuse and overuse of the knees; Mainly, when the child’s joint is still immature and in the development period. Statistics indicate that boys are more likely to develop this disease.
Younger people slowly go through a stretching period that includes changes throughout their body. The muscles, tendons, cartilage and other structures of the knee are part of it; this creates a state of silent vulnerability in this important area, which when it comes into contact with an intense or high-impact activity, can leave Osgood Schlatter disease as a consequence.
Symptoms
The pain derived from Osgood Schlatter disease is usually perceived in intermittent periods of mild to intense, usually affecting only one knee. It is common for discomfort to disappear almost completely during rest; But at the first sign of exercises involving walking, stairing, jumping or jogging, the pain is very likely to return intensified.
The symptoms that a child/adolescent with Osgood Schlatter may feel are:
- Inflammation of the joint.
- Tenderness to touch in the lower knee.
- Weakness in walking after exercise.
- Muscle tension in the quadriceps or hamstrings.
Just as we have already explained what Osgood Schlatter disease is and what its main symptoms are; we will also point out the signs that do NOT belong to this injury:
- Feeling pain even when in a resting position.
- Pain that travels up the legs to the thighs.
- Punctures or strong night currents.
If your child is experiencing discomfort in the knees, we recommend seeing a doctor to make a complete evaluation of your case and determine the type of injury that affects you.
Treatment
Osgood Schlatter disease usually disappears on its own when the child has already passed his or her growth stage, between 14 and 18 years of age; so reducing discomfort until this occurs is our priority as orthopedic doctors.
Treatment to minimize the symptoms of Osgood Schlatter includes:
- Intermittent rest.
- Hot/cold therapies on the affected area before and after physical activity (warm up with warm compresses for 15 minutes; at the end of the practice, apply ice for 15 more minutes).
- Use of sports pads that cover the affected area and protect it from any other blow.
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, following the indications given by the doctor.
- Programmed exercises that help stretch and strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings.
Aftermath
Generally, Osgood Schlatter disease does not leave relevant sequelae in the patient. In some advanced cases, the child may be left with a small, painless bump below the knee; nothing that will affect the function or performance of your legs in the future.
