Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Three bones meet in the knee: the thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). In any joint, including the knee, a cycle of breakdown and repair of tissue continuously carries on; old tissue is replaced by new, keeping the knee healthy and alive. However, when tissue breakdown exceeds repair, a stress reaction begins. In the knee, this most often occurs where the patellar tendon (a ligament that attaches the shinbone to the kneecap) attaches to the front bump of the tibia, or shinbone. This area is known as the "tibial tubercle." In older children and teens, when the stress on the tendon exceeds the strength of the cartilage, the two may begin to separate, causing pain and swelling.

• Knee pain or pain just below the knee joint which is worse when moving, especially climbing stairs, jumping, and weight-lifting
  
• Pain relieved or less severe at rest
  
• Swelling
  
• Presence of a bump below kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia. This is particularly painful when palpated.
  
• Pain lasts a few months and tends to come and go with activity

• Maintain healthy weight
  
• Maintain strength for desired activity level
  
• Regular flexibility program
  
• Encourage children to exercise moderately