Osgood-Schlatter syndrome is a painful knee condition that affects adolescents.

It is an inflammation just below the knee cap and most often occurs during growth spurts when muscles, bones and tendons are changing rapidly.

Signs and Symptoms

• pain in one or both knees
• pain when straightening the knee joint or full squatting
• pain on running, or going up and down stairs
• pain that eases with rest
• a swollen tibial tuberosity

Treatment options

• activity modification or relative rest – completely avoiding activities that are painful for at least a couple of weeks
• followed by gradual return to activity guided by symptom levels
• frequent use of ice packs to reduce the local pain and swelling
• stretching and strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles – a suitable program can be provided by a physiotherapist
• medications, including painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
• very rarely, surgery – only in extreme cases and only once growth has ended.

For more information please view our Fact Sheet below: