Osgood Schlatters disease afflicts many young athletes usually between the ages of 10 and 15. It is caused by rapid growth and is a very common cause of knee pain.
Osgood Slatters disease was named after two doctors in 1903. Dr. Robert Osgood and Dr. Carl Schlatter. It was noticed that when the tendon of the knee-cap (patella) became inserted in the area right at the top of the shin called the tibial tuberostity and pulled away at the bone this caused terrible inflammation.
The area can become swollen and painful and may even protrude. The pain felt by the young athlete is typically worse after exercise or when the quadriceps muscle is contracted with their leg straightened.
Young athletes involved in running and jumping seem to become afflicted with this disease since these activities put a lot of stress on the patella tendon.
If your child is experiencing knee pain, ice is the recommended treatment following any activity. Stretching exercises and muscle massages can be given by an orthopedic physical therapist in Downers Grove to help alleviate the inflammation before and after exertion.