Understanding Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Symptoms, Chiropractic Treatment, and a San Diego Client Success Story for a Young Athlete

If you’ve ever had a child athlete complain about knee pain, particularly in the area just below the kneecap, you might have heard the term Osgood-Schlatter disease (or OSD). While the name might sound unfamiliar or even a bit strange, it’s a common condition that affects many young athletes, especially those involved in sports that require a lot of running or jumping.

In this blog post, we'll dive into what Osgood-Schlatter disease is, what symptoms to look for, and how chiropractic care can help manage and treat the condition. We’ll also share a recent success story from one of our young patients at Team Elite Chiropractic to show how early intervention can make all the difference.

What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammation of the area just below the knee, where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia (shinbone). This condition commonly occurs in active adolescents whose bones are still growing, particularly those aged 9 to 14. The pain is usually felt in the area called the tibial tuberosity, which is a bony bump just below the knee.

This injury is most commonly associated with activities that involve running, jumping, or any repetitive stress on the knee. In children and teens, the growth plate in the tibia is still developing, and when the muscles and tendons around the knee (like the quadriceps) pull on this growing bone, it can cause irritation, inflammation, and sometimes even a small fracture.

Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease

The symptoms are fairly consistent, though they can vary in severity. Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter include:

• Pain just below the kneecap: Often, kids will point directly to the bony area below the kneecap (the tibial tuberosity) as the source of their discomfort.
  
  
• Pain with activity: The pain tends to get worse with activities that involve running, jumping, or squatting, such as soccer, basketball, or gymnastics.
  
  
• Rest alleviates the pain: Typically, the pain improves with rest, but it returns when physical activity is resumed.
  
  
• Swelling or a visible bump: In some cases, a visible bump may develop at the site of the pain, where the bone is being pulled by the tendon.
  
  

Diagnosing Osgood-Schlatter Disease

While a doctor or chiropractor can often diagnose Osgood-Schlatter disease based on the symptoms and a physical exam, imaging tests like X-rays can sometimes be helpful to rule out other issues or confirm the diagnosis. In severe cases, the tendon can pull the bone off, creating an avulsion fracture, or cause significant swelling. However, the vast majority of cases can be diagnosed and treated conservatively without the need for surgery or extensive medical intervention.

Chiropractic Treatment for Osgood-Schlatter Disease at Team Elite Chiropractic

Osgood-Schlatter disease is common in youth athletes and it can severely limit a child's ability to participate in sports and other activities, making early intervention crucial.

At Team Elite Chiropractic, we take a multi-faceted approach to treating Osgood-Schlatter disease. The goal is not just to alleviate pain, but to support long-term recovery and help young athletes continue playing their sport.

Here’s how we approach treatment for Osgood-Schlatter disease:

1. Soft Tissue Therapy

Manual therapy techniques, such as Active Release Technique (ART), are designed to break down muscle tension and improve mobility in the affected area. For Osgood-Schlatter disease, the quadriceps muscles and surrounding tissues are often tight and contributing to the problem. By using soft tissue work, we help relax these muscles and reduce the strain on the tibial tuberosity.

2. Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is an effective tool we use to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected tissues. By applying focused light therapy to the knee area, we can speed up recovery by reducing pain and swelling, especially in the early stages of the condition.

3. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

We use IASTM (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization) to stimulate healing by applying controlled pressure with specialized tools to the tight muscles and tendons around the knee. This technique can help alleviate pain and improve function in the knee joint by improving circulation and breaking up adhesions in the soft tissues.

4. Joint Adjustments

Although Osgood-Schlatter disease primarily affects the tendon and bone, it’s important to address any other musculoskeletal imbalances that might contribute to the problem. Chiropractic adjustments are used to ensure that the entire kinetic chain (the muscles, joints, and bones in the body) is functioning optimally. By adjusting the hips, ankles, and spine, we can help ensure that there are no restrictions that could increase stress on the knee.

5. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

A key part of the treatment plan involves at-home exercises designed to stretch tight muscles and strengthen the surrounding tissues. We often provide specific stretching techniques for the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors. Foam rolling is also recommended to help keep the muscles around the knee flexible. Additionally, isometric exercises can help strengthen the tendon and muscles around the knee without putting excessive strain on the growth plate.

6. Education on Rest and Recovery

Rest is a crucial part of the recovery process, but we also want to ensure that the child can stay active in a way that doesn’t aggravate the condition. We provide guidance on activity modification, helping athletes continue to stay involved in their sports while recovering from Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Client Success Story: Quick Recovery with Early Intervention

We recently had a young patient, an 11-year-old soccer player, who came to us with knee pain just below his kneecap. His father, who is a longtime patient of ours, noticed his son’s discomfort and brought him in for treatment. After a thorough assessment, we quickly identified the symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Since this case was caught early (it had only been bothering the child for about a month), we were able to treat it effectively without it causing a major disruption to his soccer season. Within just a few sessions, he saw significant pain reduction and was able to participate in a tournament without discomfort. By the end of our treatment, which lasted for about four weeks, he was pain-free and could continue his training without restrictions.

We advised him to continue his at-home care, including stretching and foam rolling, and recommended occasional follow-up visits for maintenance. He’s been doing great since, and we’re happy to report that his Osgood-Schlatter disease is behind him—thanks to early and consistent chiropractic care.

Preventing Recurrence: What Parents and Athletes Should Know

While Osgood-Schlatter disease can resolve on its own as a child grows and their bones fully develop, it’s important to take the necessary steps to avoid flare-ups and further injury. The sooner you address the pain and seek professional care, the quicker the recovery process can be, allowing your child to return to their sport and maintain their performance.

If your child is experiencing knee pain and you suspect Osgood-Schlatter disease, book an appointment with us at Team Elite Chiropractic. Our team is experienced in treating young athletes and can create a personalized treatment plan to get them back to doing what they love, pain-free.