Osgood-Schlatter Disease (OSD)
Treatment
Most patients respond well to conservative care that mainly consists of rest and decreasing activity during episodes of more acute symptoms. This may mean stopping any sporting activities for 2 to 3 months or more to allow symptoms to alleviate. Other treatment options include using ice over the anterior knee to reduce swelling, 3-4 times throughout the day, especially after participation in activities. The use of over-the-counter drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Ibuprofen may be indicated to help control pain, inflammation, and swelling. In more extreme cases, a cast or brace can be used to support the knee while it heals. For patients whose symptoms do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be indicated. Weiss et al showed that surgery to remove avulsed bone fragment or symptomatic tibal tuberosity (aka. tubercleplasty) resulted in positive outcomes that allowed patients to return to preoperative activities and sports.5
Prevention
Patients should regularly stretch, before and after exercise, to help prevent injuries. Since small injuries that may cause OSD are rarely noticeable, the prevention of OSD may be impossible. Reporting prolonged knee and limb pain, especially pain that worsens after activity, to your physician can help to catch the disease earlier and result in earlier treatment.
Education
Proper stretching techniques of the quadricpes and hamstrings should be taught to patients in order to help prevent injury. The patient should also be educated on identifying and avoiding activities that worsen his/her symptoms.
References
1. Blankstein A, Cohen I, Heim M, et al. Ultrasonography as a diagnostic modality in Osgood-Schlatter disease. A clinical study and review of the literature. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2001;121(9):536-539.
2. Vreju F, Ciurea P, Rosu A. Osgood-Schlatter disease--ultrasonographic diagnostic. Med Ultrason. 2010;12(4):336-339.
3. Demirag B, Ozturk C, Yazici Z, Sarisozen B. The pathophysiology of Osgood-Schlatter disease: a magnetic resonance investigation. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2004;13(6):379-382.
4. Krause BL, Williams JP, Catterall A. Natural history of Osgood-Schlatter disease. J Pediatr Orthop. 1990;10(1):65-68.
5. Weiss JM, Jordan SS, Andersen JS, Lee BM, Kocher M. Surgical treatment of unresolved Osgood-Schlatter disease: ossicle resection with tibial tubercleplasty. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007;27(7):844-847.
2. Vreju F, Ciurea P, Rosu A. Osgood-Schlatter disease--ultrasonographic diagnostic. Med Ultrason. 2010;12(4):336-339.
3. Demirag B, Ozturk C, Yazici Z, Sarisozen B. The pathophysiology of Osgood-Schlatter disease: a magnetic resonance investigation. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2004;13(6):379-382.
4. Krause BL, Williams JP, Catterall A. Natural history of Osgood-Schlatter disease. J Pediatr Orthop. 1990;10(1):65-68.
5. Weiss JM, Jordan SS, Andersen JS, Lee BM, Kocher M. Surgical treatment of unresolved Osgood-Schlatter disease: ossicle resection with tibial tubercleplasty. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007;27(7):844-847.