Osgood-Schlatter results from the quadriceps tendon pulling some bone away from the tibia. The quadriceps are a large group of four muscles located on the anterior thigh. They come together at the knee forming the patellar tendon. This tendon crosses the knee joint and inserts on the upper part of the leg bone, or the tibia. The name of the patellar tendon insertion site on the tibia is the tibial tuberosity. Over time, and with activity, the tension that this tendon places on the bone can result in a slight separation of the tibial tuberosity from the tibia, causing pain.
This problem becomes more noticeable during activities that require forceful contractions of the quadriceps muscles such as running, jumping, or going up stairs. It is most common in young children who partake in football, soccer, or basketball.
Osgood-Schlatter usually resolves with time. It is rare for the disease to persist beyond adolescence. As growth stops, the pain and swelling should resolve. There are other disease processes that can result in knee pain during childhood therefore a complete physician exam and knee x-ray are warranted to make sure the pain is not being cause by something other than Osgood-Schlatter.
