Do you have a young athlete in your family who is experiencing knee pain, swelling, or tight thigh muscles? It is possible that your child has Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Many professional athletes suffered from Osgood-Schlatter disease as teenagers. If your child or teenager is experiencing knee pain, ask your doctor about Osgood-Schlatter disease.
While Osgood-Schlatter disease is painful, it does not last forever. Continue reading to learn more about what causes Osgood-Schlatter disease.
What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter disease is inflammation of the growth plate at the top of the shinbone, below the kneecap.
The growth plate is a cartilage layer towards the end of the bone. This part of the bone is weaker and more susceptible to injury.
Osgood-Schlatter disease usually does not cause permanent damage. It goes away when the person stops growing.
What Causes Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
The pain most often occurs during growth spurts. The pain increases with physical activity such as jumping, running, or walking uphill.
A tendon connects the shinbone and kneecap. During sports and physical activities, this tendon pulls on the growth plate which causes injury and pain.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is most common in boys aged 12 to 14 and girls aged 10 to 13. The disease is more common in boys, but as more girls get involved with sports, the gap is lessening.
Osgood-Schlatter Treatment
Treatments of Osgood-Schlatter disease are often simple. Ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication help decrease swelling and ease the pain.
Your Chiropractor may prescribe specific stretches and strengthening exercises.
It is usually okay for your child or teen to continue playing sports. But, severe pain may warrant a total break from high-impact activity until the pain gets better.
Osgood-Schlatter Chiropractic Treatment
In cases where simple Osgood-Schlatter treatment isn’t enough, visiting a chiropractor is an option. If playing sports is important to your child, working with a chiropractor can offer a quicker and safer return.
A chiropractor will use a combination of therapies to ease the pain and resolve symptoms. This will accelerate the recovery time compared to rest alone.
Sever’s Disease vs. Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Another common pain-causing disease in adolescents is Sever’s disease. Although Sever’s and Osgood-Schlatter disease are similar, they are not the same.
While Osgood-Schlatter disease causes knee pain, Sever’s disease causes ankle pain. The Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle can become inflamed as children grow.
Both conditions result in aches and pain in the affected area. Pain from Sever’s disease can also increase after playing sports or other physical activities.
If your child has Sever’s disease, you can seek out similar treatment options for their pain.
Looking Forward
Thankfully, long-term effects from Osgood-Schlatter disease are rare. Symptoms usually stop once your child stops growing.
Now that you know what causes Osgood-Schlatter disease, you can take the appropriate steps towards treatment. Take the first step towards a pain-free life, and contact us to set up an appointment today!