How to Deal with Osgood-Schlatter Disease

There’s logic behind the term “growing pains.” The body doesn’t just ache when you’re older, and joint problems don’t only occur in senior citizens. Osgood-Schlatter Disease is most prevalent in youngsters under the age of sixteen.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease is a common knee problem, where inflammation of the joint eventually causes the tendon from the patella to attach to the tibia bone. It is repetitive stress disease, which makes it most common in active people, whose knees are constantly subjected to running, jumping, and bending. Athletes are treated for Osgood-Schlatter very frequently, especially in high knee stress sports like soccer and basketball. It will usually only be present in one knee, although some people will develop it in both. The combination of being in growth spurt years makes young athletes particular susceptible to developing it. Kids grow at a rapid rate before and during puberty, which puts tremendous stress on the joints in the body. Couple that with the impact of serious physical exercise, and the knees will take a beating. While the joint itself is undamaged with Osgood-Schlatter, the constant use and stress causes a great deal of swelling in that region. Luckily, Osgood-Schlatter Disease usually fades after puberty has been reached and growing slows down. However, some people may take years in order to fully recover.