The Osgood Schlatter Syndrome

The osgood schlatter syndrome, also called olsgood schlatter disease, is a knee condition that often affects young teenagers when they are in a growth spurt and especially when they are into sports like soccer, gymnastics or wushu. Its symptoms are knee pain and a swollen up area below the kneecap. The osgood schlatter syndrome was named after its discoverer Osgood-Schlatter.

Description: The Osgood Schlatter Syndrome

• The osgood schlatter syndrome, also known as tubercle traumatic apophysitis or osgood schlatter disease, is a painful inflammation of the growth plate at the top of the shin bone (area between shin bone and knee cap).
• The pain is caused by stress on the tendon that attaches the upper thigh muscle (quadriceps) to the shin bone.
• The osgood schlatter syndrome can be diagnosed through physical examination, x-ray and ultrasound scan.

Symptoms: The Osgood Schlatter Syndrome

• Knee pain
• Pain when you extend your knee or when you do a full squat.
• Knee pain when you run or when you walk up the stairs.
• The pain eases with rest
• The area below the kneecap is swollen up. In some cases the skin in this are is red too.
• Occasionally, the quadriceps muscles can lose strength and bulk.
• Test: When you extend your knee and relax your leg muscles, move the knee cab to one side slightly. Then contract your quadriceps slowly. Pain can be a sign => Osgood Schlatter Syndrome.

Treatment: The Osgood Schlatter Syndrome

• In most cases the osgood schlatter syndrome resolves by itself within less than a year. But when your growth spurt is very long, the knee may stay uncomfortable for up to 3 years.
• In some cases, the force of the tightened tendon coming from the kneecap can break parts from the shin bone. The result is a larger than normal bump between the knee cap and the shin bone. You can often see that at young wushu-athletes from China who do acrobatic jumps on concrete. Another possible complication of the osgood schlatter syndrome is an altered position of the kneecap.
• Following osgood schlatter treatments are possible.
  • Avoid activities that make the knee pain worse.
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles.
  • Frequent use of ice packs to reduce the swelling.
  • Rest, rest rest and rest to ease the symptoms.
  • Physiotherapy.
  • Painkillers and anti inflammation pills.
  • In some extreme cases, surgery is necessary when the growth spurt stops.

Trainer advice: The Osgood Schlatter Syndrome

• Avoid all activities that worsen the osgood schlatter symptoms and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
• If your doctor suggests you to do stretching exercises, DO THEM always.

Related topics: The Osgood Schlatter Syndrome

• Stretching
• How to learn Wushu Acro without Risk
• Frog Jumps (often the cause for osgood schlatter syndrome in kids)
• Whirlwind Kick (often the cause for osgood schlatter syndrome in kid's wushu)

Videos: The Osgood Schlatter Syndrome

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