Schlatters knee, also known as Osgood-Schlatter disease, is a painful enlargement of the tibial tuberosity, the bump below the knee on the shin bone. It occurs most often in children and teenagers during growth spurts due to repetitive pulling of the patellar tendon during activities like running and jumping. Symptoms include pain and tenderness below the knee that usually resolves within 6 to 24 months as skeletal maturity is reached. Treatment focuses on rest, ice, compression, and anti-inflammatory medications or bracing to aid healing.

2. What is Schlatters knee?
– Schlatters knee is usually referred to as Osgood-
Schlatter disease
– Osgood-Schlatter disease is a painful enlargement
of the bump of the shin bone (tibia) just below
the knee. This bump is called the tibial
tuberosity.
– Osgood-Schlatter disease is most often found in
children and teenagers, usually between the
ages of 10 and 15
– Schlatters knee is a very common cause of knee
pain in young athletes
– It usually occurs during a growth spurt
– It causes pain and tenderness just below the knee
on a bone called the tibia

4. In people who have not reached skeletal
maturity (generally adolescents), a growth
plate exists where the patella tendon, made
mostly of cartilage, inserts into the shin bone.
Every time the quadriceps contract, they pull
on the patella tendon, which pulls on the
tibia’s growth plate. When this tension is too
forceful or repetitive, irritation of the growth
plate might occur. This is why Schlatters knee
is so common in athletes, especially those
doing a lot of running or jumping.

6. An examination from your doctor, usually a
physiotherapist, should be enough to diagnose
Osgood-Schlatters disease. An X-ray or MRI scan
may be necessary once in a while to confirm a
doctor’s diagnosis.
Schlatters
knee
Healthy seven-
year old girl’s
knee

7. As a child or teenager gets older and past the
growth spurt, symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter
disease usually go away.
It generally takes about 6 to 24 months from the
start of the symptoms.

9. A patient should. . .
 rest from any activity that increases their pain
 recognize symptoms, because ignoring them is
likely to cause further damage and prolong
recovery
 follow the R.I.C.E. procedure: rest, ice,
compression, elevation; this is most
beneficial in the first 72 hours when
inflammatory signs are present
 anti-inflammatory medication may speed up the
healing process by reducing the pain and
swelling associated with inflammation

10. Doctors may also prescribe a special padded
brace:
ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S
INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!!!