Rapid Review: Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Reviewed February 2024

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

• Young adolescent athletes, 10–15 years old
• Knee pain with activities that cause quadriceps contractions (e.g., running, jumping)
• PE will show tenderness over the tibial tubercle and with knee extension against resistance
• Management includes ice, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, quadriceps stretching

Sample question:

A 15-year-old boy presents to the ED with right knee pain for the last 2 weeks. He is the point guard on his high-school basketball team. The pain is worse after basketball practice or a game. He does not specifically remember injuring his knee. On examination, he is tender over the right tibial tuberosity, and the pain is worse with knee extension against resistance. There is no joint effusion. What is the most appropriate next step?