The Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that causes pain and inflammation under the knee joint, where the patellar tendon (kneecap tendon) attaches to the upper part of the tibia, a place called tibial tuberosity.

The Osgood-Schlatter disease is common in young athletes who practice sports that involve many jumping and/or running and affects one in five children athletes, being more common in boys. The gender difference is explained by the fact that girls participate in sports at a younger age.

The age range at which the disease manifests itself varies depending on gender, since girls go through puberty before boys, between 11 and 12 years, while boys between 13-14 years. Once the child stops growing up, the condition will correct itself

The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints of the body, having a complex functionality. The knee joint must be mobile and flexible to allow flexion and extension of the lower limb and also stable to support the entire weight of the body. Walking, running and accelerating suddenly, jumping, rotating on the heel, braking, stopping more or less suddenly, are roles of the knee, which generate numerous pressures, managed by the bone, ligamentous, meniscal and muscular structures of the knee.

The bone components that form the knee joint are :
• the distal extremity of the femur, represented by the two femoral condyles

• the kneecap or patella, which anteriorly joins the femoral condyles

• the proximal extremity of the tibia.

On the edge of the bone surfaces there is articular cartilage, a firm, smooth layer of tissue, lining all the joints of the body. Two cartilage discs, the shape of the letter C, form the meniscuses, laterally and medially, having a role in the absorption of shocks.

Tendons keep the muscles and bones of the knee connected to allow the knee joint to move.

Ligaments join with all the bones of the knee giving stability to the knee.

The Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by irritation of the bone growth plaque.

The bones grow at the ends near the joint in an area called the growth plaque. While in children the growth process is still ongoing, these growth zones are made of cartilage instead of bone. As cartilage is never as strong as bone, a high level of stress can affect the growth plaque, which begins to hurt.

Any movement that causes repeated extension of the foot can lead to sensitivity at the point where the patellar tendon attaches to the upper part of the tibia. Activities that put repeated stress on the knees - especially squatting, bending, running, climbing stairs - cause the tendon to easily separate from the tibia, which leads to swelling and pain.

The Osgood-Schlatter disease develops over several months. Children who suffer most frequently are those who exercise regularly, several times a week, complaining of pain under the knees, especially during running or jumping.

1. Reducing sports activities that cause pain

Sports activities that involve running and jumping should be reduced and days of rest should be introduced between workouts. Reducing the frequency of sports helps significantly reduce pain and pressure on the knee. 2. Physical therapy

The following are recommended :
➢ stretching exercises of the quadriceps muscle
➢ exercises to tone (strengthen) the muscles around the knee, necessary to stabilize the knee joint.

3. Electrotherapy and acupuncture are also used to reduce pain.

4. The ice applied topically, in sessions of 5-10 minutes, 3-5 times a day helps to reduce pain and inflammation. Always put a towel between the ice and the area on which it is applied.

5. Compression of the knee joint by using a compressive bandage.

6. Drug treatment

Anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce pain, but are only recommended for short periods of time.

➢ Rest is part of the recovery process

➢ Limit sports and/or daily activities that put pressure on the knee joint, such as running, jumping, climbing stairs or squatting.