What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease or Jumper’s Knee?
Osgood-Schlatter Disease or known as Jumper’s Knee is a condition that causes pain and swelling below the knee joint, where the patellar tendon attaches to the top of the shinbone (tibia), a spot called the tibial tuberosity. It may result in an inflammation of the patellar tendon, which stretches over the kneecap. This disease typically occurs in active children ages 10 to 14, who play sports that require a lot of jumping and running.
What causes Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter Disease happens during the growth spurt of puberty. During a child’s growth spurt, the bones, muscles, and tendons grow at different rates. The tendon that connects the shinbone to the kneecap pulls on the growth plate at the top of the shinbone. Activities and sports are the root cause for this to happen over and over, which consequently injures the growth plate and leads to the pain of Osgood-Schlatter Disease.
Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Common symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease include knee or leg pain, swelling, tenderness or increased warmth under the knee and over the shinbone, pain that gets worse with exercise or high-impact activities, and limping after physical activity. The severity of these symptoms often varies from person to person. Some individuals experience only mild pain during certain activities. Others experience constant, debilitating pain that makes it difficult to do any physical activity. The discomfort can last from a few weeks to several years.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease Treatment
If your child is diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease, a physical therapy program is recommended. Physical therapy is recommended for Osgood-Schlatter Disease. Treatment will include manual therapy, heat therapy, Cryotherapy, and exercise program. Your therapist will create an active exercise program that may involve stretching and strengthening exercises for the hamstrings, quadriceps, hip, and calf muscles to improve mobility. To overcome impaired balance and coordination, customised balance and coordination exercises will be recommended for the affected knee, hip, and ankle. Kinesiology tape may also help with supporting the knee. If in doubt, please seek professional advice.
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