Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Appearance, Diagnosis and Treatment: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Osgood-Schlatter disease is the most common osteochondritis of the lower limb in sport-practicing children and adolescents. Its manifestation usually coincides with the appearance of the secondary ossification center of the tibia and is linked to the practice of sports with an explosive component. In the present study, a review of the factors related to its appearance, diagnosis and treatment was carried out. Its appearance seems to be multifactorial and related to multiple morphological, functional, mechanical and environmental factors. Given all the above, risk factor reduction and prevention seem the most logical strategies to effectively prevent the appearance of the condition. In addition, it is essential to create prevention programs that can be objectively assessed and would allow to stop the progress of the pathology, particularly in those sports where high forces are generated on the insertion zone of the patellar tendon at sensitive ages. More studies are needed to clarify which type of treatment is the most appropriate—specific exercises or the usual care treatment.

Tibial tubercle avulsion fracture following preexisting Osgood-Schlatter disease in an adolescent: a case report

“…OSD is a self-limiting disease and it is treated conservatively with rest, ice and quadriceps exercises. 29 However, for patients who fail conservative treatment, arthroscopic surgery can be used to remove the ossicles to avoid damage to the patellar tendon by open surgery. 30 Tibial tubercle avulsion fracture is often caused by violence, and clinicians should pay attention to related injuries such as patellar tendon injury, meniscus injury and anterior cruciate ligament injury.…”

Conventional Radiography Assessment of the Pediatric Knee: Pearls and Pitfalls

“…Complete ossification of the tibial tubercle occurs at 15 years of age in girls and 17 years in boys 16 OSD is one of the most common overuse diseases of the lower limb among children and adolescents. 17 It generally occurs between ages 9 and 14 as a consequence of repetitive strains and microtrauma during the ossification process. 18 It is more prevalent during growth spurs and in young athletes compared with nonathletes, as reported by Corbi et al (21% versus 4.5%) 17 and De Lucena et al (13% versus 6.7%).…”

“…17 It generally occurs between ages 9 and 14 as a consequence of repetitive strains and microtrauma during the ossification process. 18 It is more prevalent during growth spurs and in young athletes compared with nonathletes, as reported by Corbi et al (21% versus 4.5%) 17 and De Lucena et al (13% versus 6.7%). 19 OSD is caused by stress forces (traction) through the patellar tendon on the developing tubercle in running and jumping sports (e.g., basketball, volleyball soccer, ballet, etc.).…”

“…Some authors reported a male-to-female ratio of 14:1, but sex-related prevalence is currently debated, especially considering that maturation of the tibial tuberosity is reached 2 years earlier in girls. 17 The condition is bilateral in 20 to 30% of patients 20,21 and related to the asynchronous development of bone and soft tissue during development (especially of the rectus femoris component of the quadriceps). 17 Thus the radiologic comparison with the opposite side is unreliable.…”

“…22 The condition may also be asymptomatic and only noted on radiographs. 17,21 OSD is usually a self-limiting condition.…”