QUESTION: My 12 year old daughter, with high hopes of an athletic career in tennis, is suffering from a swollen knee that was diagnosed as Osgood Schlatter Disease.
As very concerned parents we have looked up the condition in a medical book at our local public library, and are horrified with what we learned.
Yet our wonderful doctor keeps telling us not to worry, it will all come out fine.
Can you help us with an explanation of the causes, and the proper treatment of this condition?
ANSWER: The history of this answer to you took an interesting turn, for when checking my own sources to refresh my memory I found that my material spoke in optimistic terms about the outcome of Osgood Schlatter, a disease that strikes the knees of young teen age boys and girls.
I was all set to provide you with the reassurance that your doctor was correct when my studies took me to our own small public library, and I decided to try to duplicate your experience. Naturally the books available were all a bit dated, and when I read the explanations offered, I quickly understood your anxiety.
The description of the cause was "avascular necrosis of the ossification center of the tibial tuberosity" which translates into "the death of the bone producing center of the tibial bump due to loss of circulation".
While that may have been the accepted cause when Drs.
Osgood and Schlatter first described the condition in 1903, it is a theory that no longer is generally accepted.
Instead it is believed that the condition of a swelling, and very tender and painful area over the bump on the shin bone just below the knee, is most probably due to the strains and stresses that may result from active participation in athletic competition.
While once a condition seen primarily in boys, the gals are now rapidly catching up as their involvement in sports increases.
The good news is that Osgood Schlatter is considered a benign disorder that in mild cases can disappear by itself.
Treatment consists of pain medication as needed and restriction of physical activities, particularly those that require frequent deep knee bending.
Braces on the knee can be used, or even a cast to immobilize the knee if symptoms continue.
A two to four month period of rest, followed by reconditioning and strengthening exercises, will soon have your young athlete back on her feet and playing her favorite sport.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
