Osgood Schlatter Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Causes of Osgood Schlatter Disease

Growth centres in children are their 'weak link'. The growth centres are still cartilaginous and haven't fused into bone yet. In adults where these centres are now fused into strong bone, injury is more likely to occur in the tendon. Osgood Schlatter Disease is then like the patellar tendinopathy for children, but high loads from the quadriceps muscle (front of the thigh) pulling on the tendon will cause pain in the growth centre, rather than the tendon. 

Researchers have found that Osgood Schlatter Disease may develop from repeated high forces at the tibial tuberosity, created by strong contraction of the quadriceps muscle.  This is why Oscgood Schlatter Disease in more common in very active children or adolescents, particularly those involved in sports that include running, kicking, jumping and landing.

Some research has also found quadriceps tightness can contribute to Osgood Schlatter Disease.

During periods of rapid growth, the long bones, such as the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) grow more rapidly than the muscles can adapt. Teenagers often go through periods of poor flexibility, where their muscles are essentially too short for their bones (until they catch up). This can then contribute to the tugging at tendon insertions - where the tight muscles join onto the bones.

During these periods, co-ordination can also reduce, due to the tight muscles and getting used to moving their changing bodies. Reduced co-ordination may result in more falls and reduced control around the hip and knee. This may also contribute to the pain.