Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease is painful inflammation of the bone and cartilage at the top of a child's lower leg (shinbone).

• Osgood-Schlatter usually happens to children 10 to 15 years old who are active in sports

• It's caused by overuse of the leg

• Your child will have pain, swelling, and tenderness in one knee

• Doctors treat Osgood-Schlatter disease with pain medicine and rest

Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter include:

• Pain, swelling, and tenderness at the front of the knee, just below the kneecap

• Pain that gets worse with activity and better with rest

Symptoms are usually in just one knee.

Doctors can tell if your child has Osgood-Schlatter by asking about your child's symptoms and doing a physical exam. Sometimes, doctors do x-rays.

Doctors will have your child:

• Rest and avoid deep knee bends

• Do stretching exercises

• Apply ice to the knee

Usually children can continue to play sports while healing. Symptoms typically go away after several weeks or months.

If the disease is severe, doctors may:

• Put a cast on the leg

• Give corticosteroid shots

• Do surgery