Osgood-Schlatter disease

Pathophysiology

Patellar tendon irritation occurs in people with Osgood-Schlatter disease. This irritation occurs on the tuberosity of the tibia. It is a childhood illness that affects children between the ages of 9 and 16 and is a very painful illness for a child.

Epidemiology:

The first symptom to look out for is pain in the tibial tuberosity just below the kneecap. The tibial tuberosity may become swollen or inflamed, sometimes noticeably prominent. Typically, the pain associated with this condition worsens immediately after exercise and can often be felt during exercise. While this pain will go away with time, it is often debilitating for young athletes. There may also be pain when the athlete tries to flex the leg muscles while keeping the leg straight.

Physical exam findings

Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs when the patellar tendon, which attaches to the tibial tuberosity, breaks off and rubs directly against the bone, causing inflammation in the surrounding area. This is often associated with young athletes who are actively involved in running and jumping, as these activities can put significant stress on the patellar tendon. If exercises that stress the patellar tendon are continued, new bone may grow, causing a noticeable but harmless mass in the tibial tuberosity. In general, Osgood-Schlatter’s disease affects boys more often than girls. Usually, this disease resolves when the patient’s body stops growing and the tendons are allowed to grow stronger without stretching. Sometimes Osgood-Schlatter disease can persist into adulthood.

Management plan

Although there are several medical treatments for Osgood-Schlatter disease, the most common recommendation is simple rest. Although athletes continue to exercise, they should stop any activity that aggravates the pain, and care should be taken to avoid any activity that places body weight directly on the affected leg. If an athlete insists on playing sports throughout the illness, then make sure that his workouts are of high quality not large in quantity, and not ineffective daily. Another treatment that often relieves pain and slows the onset of the disease is applying ice or ice directly to the knee during the day. This will not only reduce pain but also reduce inflammation. Ice or cold should be applied for ten to fifteen minutes at least three times a day. Alternatively, ice massage is a viable method of cold therapy.

Differential diagnoses and rationale

New research and a program called the Strickland Protocol show that stretching and massage can help an athlete or worker get back to work or sports more quickly. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments must be flexed or they may atrophy, which can lead to a longer recovery period. Studies of patients with sciatica or carpal tunnel syndrome have shown much better results when they used the stretch mode.

References

https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=-is_tAEACAAJ&dq=Strickland+Protocol&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y https://www.osgood-schlatter-disease.com/