Osgood-Schlatter disease factsheet
Introduction
Osgood-Schlatter disease causes slow-growing pain and swelling in the growth plate at the top of the shin bone, just below the kneecap.
Growth plates are soft areas of cartilage near the ends of bones that help bones grow. They are weaker than bone and can get injured more easily.
In Osgood-Schlatter disease, tight muscles and tendons pull on the growth plate in the lower leg as it grows, causing pain and swelling.
It is most common in children aged 10–14 going through puberty or growth spurts, especially if they play sports that involve:
- fast, back and forth knee movements
- running
- jumping.
Common sports that can trigger Osgood-Schlatter disease include:
- soccer
- rugby (league, AFL, and union)
- hockey
- basketball
- netball
- tennis
- ballet
- running.
Osgood-Schlatter disease stops once the growth plate finishes growing.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms usually affect one or both knees and include:
- pain that slowly gets worse
- pain that gets worse when using stairs or putting pressure on the knee
- swelling and redness
- stiffness
- limping or changes in walking.
See your doctor or physiotherapist early if your child starts to develop pain or discomfort, even if it is mild.
Diagnosis
The doctor or physiotherapist will check your child’s knee and ask about their activities.
Scans like X-rays are usually not needed unless the doctor thinks there may be another cause of pain.
Treatment
Treatment depends on how bad the pain is. Your child’s doctor may suggest:
- taking a break from activities that involve running and jumping
- using an ice pack on the knee for 20 minutes after painful activity
- seeing a physiotherapist to stretch and strengthen thigh muscles
- regular check-ups during growth spurts.
Speak to your child's doctor about pain relief or anti-inflammatory medicine.
With rest and treatment, pain usually gets better over time.
Management
Returning to sports and activity
Your child can slowly return to activity when symptoms improve.
If pain is severe, they may need to take a break from sport for 1–2 seasons.
Talk to the doctor or physiotherapist about changes to activities and movement to avoid pain.
Speak to your child's school, coaches, or other activity coordinators to make sure there is a plan in place to help your child have a safe and pain-free return to their activities.
Long-term issues with Osgood-Schlatter disease
Some children may develop a small, hard lump under the knee. This may stay after growth ends and can be painful.
If it causes ongoing pain, your child’s doctor may recommend surgery to remove it.
Some children have issues with the structure of their legs and feet that can make Osgood-Schlatter disease more likely.
These can include:
- knock-knees – where the knees point inwards and touch while the ankles are apart
- flat feet - where the bones and tissue in the arch of the foot touch the ground.
Your child’s doctor or physiotherapist will check for these and suggest extra treatments if needed.
See your doctor if your child’s pain doesn’t improve after treatment.
Preventing Osgood-Schlatter disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease starts slowly, so building good habits early helps to prevent it.
Good habits for sports and activities include:
- taking regular breaks during activity
- stopping exercise if pain starts
- stretching often
- warming up before and cooling down after activity
- wearing well-fitting, supportive shoes
- using kneepads during sport
- learning and using safe movement techniques for jumping and running.
