What is Osgood–Schlatter Disease?

Osgood–Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in adolescents. It occurs due to irritation and inflammation of the growth plate at the tibial tubercle where the patellar tendon attaches.

What happens in Osgood–Schlatter?

During growth spurts, repetitive stress from running and jumping pulls on the tibial tubercle growth plate. This leads to pain, swelling, and a visible bump below the kneecap.

Common causes

  • Rapid growth spurts
  • Repetitive jumping and running
  • Sports such as football, basketball, and netball
  • Tight quadriceps and hamstrings

Who is most affected?

  • Active children aged 10–15
  • More common in boys but rising in girls with increased sports participation
  • In Australia, seen often in footballers, netballers, and basketball players

Symptoms

  • Pain and swelling below the kneecap
  • Tender lump at the tibial tubercle
  • Pain worse with running, jumping, or kneeling

📞 If your child has knee pain with sport, book an assessment at Spinal and Sports Care Bella Vista or Parramatta.

Diagnosis

Clinical examination:

  • Tenderness at tibial tubercle
  • Pain reproduced with resisted extension

Imaging:

  • X-ray occasionally used to rule out fracture or confirm growth plate changes

Treatment options

Non-surgical:

  • Activity modification (reduce high-impact sport)
  • Stretching of quads and hamstrings
  • Ice and anti-inflammatory strategies
  • Physiotherapy to correct biomechanics

Surgical:

  • Rare, only in severe persistent cases after growth plate closure

Role of physiotherapy

  • Stretching program for quads and hamstrings
  • Strengthen glutes and core
  • Modify activity loads
  • Guide safe return to sport

Recovery timeline

  • Symptoms improve within 6–18 months
  • Condition usually resolves once growth plates close

Prevention

  • Progressive training loads
  • Stretching quads and hamstrings
  • Proper warm-up and cool-down in sport

Taping and bracing

  • Patellar tendon straps can reduce pain during sport
  • Knee sleeves may provide comfort

When to see a physiotherapist or chiropractor

📞 If knee pain is interfering with sport or daily activities, consult Spinal and Sports Care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Inflammation of the growth plate at the tibial tubercle.

Children aged 10–15 during growth spurts.

Football, basketball, and netball.

No, usually resolves once growth plates close.

Clinical exam and sometimes X-ray.

Rest, stretching, strengthening, and physiotherapy.

Rarely, only in persistent cases after growth.

6–18 months.

Yes, if pain is mild and manageable.

If pain is persistent and limiting activity.