Osgood-Schlatter Disease

This disease is characterized by painful, bony prominence on the shinbone just below the knee. Usually the onset occur in children and adolescents during puberty in which they experience growth spurts. It can occur in both boys and girls.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Knee pain and swelling below the knee which worse during the physical activities
• It can affect knee unilaterally or bilaterally

Causes

This disease occur when during physical activities like jumping and running child’s thigh muscles contract and pull on the tendon that connects the kneecap to the growth plate present at the top part of the shinbone.This repeated stress leads to the pain and swelling below the knee.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this disease depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Sometimes x-ray is also needed for the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment options include:

• Over-the-counter medications to relieve pain
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

Home remedies

• Keep the affected joint in rest
• Put pad over knee to protect it
• Stretching of leg muscles
• To relieve swelling and pain put ice over the affected area
• Switch the physical activities from jumping and running to cycling and swimming.