Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Osgood Schlatter’s is a very common cause of knee pain in young athletes. It is a condition where the bony lump below your knee cap becomes painful and swollen during and after exercise.
The quadriceps (the muscles at the front of the thigh), are very strong muscles and are attached to the front of the tibia (shin bone) by the patellar tendon.
When bones are growing there are soft areas of cartilage which ossify to become bone when growth is complete, and this area on the tibia where the quadriceps tendon attaches, is soft.
When children grow, the bones grow faster than the muscles and tendons, and this puts extra strain on these soft areas. During a growth spurt the muscles have to stretch and these muscles can become tight.
The patellar tendon can pull on this soft area of bone, lifting the cartilage and bone, which then become inflamed and tender. Playing sport and doing exercises that involve excessive bending of the knee will cause pain and swelling. A lump can form where the tendon attaches to the bone and over time this lump ossifies to become bone.
Who does it affect?
• Usually, boys between the ages of 10 and 15, but it can happen in girls.
• Children who are growing fast
• Those involved in sport, more often those sports that involve running, jumping and squatting
Treatment
- Reduce the amount of time playing sport until the pain has gone
- Avoid sports that involve a lot of running or jumping. Swimming can be a useful substitute.
- Ice the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, especially after activity, but make sure that the skin is protected by wrapping the ice in a towel
- Avoid excessive bending of the knee
- Elevate the leg when it is painful and swollen, especially after sports.
- If the knee becomes very painful, a short time in a cast or splint - keeping the knee straight - may be helpful in relieving the pain.
- Pain-relieving medication may reduce pain and swelling, but it is best to discuss the options with your GP or pharmacist.
Gentle muscle stretches
Hold stretches for 20 seconds, 3 times a day
| Quadriceps (front of leg) |  |
| Hamstrings (back of leg) |  |
Ongoing care
- With future growth spurts the pain may return; so continue with the stretches and advice.
- Return to sport gradually, increasing the level of activity as pain allows.
- Unfortunately, sometimes this condition continues until the bones are no longer growing; but in most cases it can be managed effectively.
- Osgood-Schlatter’s does improve gradually with time and rest, but will resolve completely once the soft cartilage on the growing part of the bone hardens, once the growth has finished.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Orthopaedics service.
About this information
Service:
Orthopaedics
Reference:
N/034
Approval date:
27 February 2024
Review date:
1 February 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.