Your Osgood-Schlatter Disease Specialist in Schaumburg, IL
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common overuse condition that causes a painful, sometimes visible bump just below the kneecap. It develops in children and adolescents during growth spurts, when repeated stress from sports pulls on the growth plate at the top of the shinbone.
At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our board-certified, fellowship-trained knee specialists help young athletes and their families manage Osgood-Schlatter disease so they can get back to the activities they love, safely and without lingering discomfort.
If your child is dealing with knee pain, don't wait for it to worsen. Schedule a consultation with the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists. For urgent needs, visit the Immediate Care Clinic at our Schaumburg, IL location.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Causes & Diagnosis
Struggling with knee pain that flares up during sports or kneeling? If you're a young athlete, Osgood-Schlatter disease could be the cause. At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our board-certified team creates a personalized plan to get you back in the game safely.
The condition develops when the patellar tendon — which connects the kneecap to the shinbone — repeatedly pulls on the growth plate at the top of the tibia during a growth spurt. This traction causes inflammation, swelling, and the bony bump that gives the condition away. It's most common in early adolescence, particularly among athletes whose sports involve frequent running, jumping, or quick changes of direction.
Symptoms typically surface during a growth spurt and can linger for several months. In most cases, they resolve on their own once the bones finish growing — usually around age 14 for girls and age 16 for boys.
To diagnose your child's condition, our specialists will perform a physical exam to check for tenderness, swelling, and the telltale bump below the kneecap. An X-ray may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of knee pain. From there, we'll build a treatment plan based on symptom severity, activity level, and recovery goals.
Orthopedic Knee Specialists at BOS
Meet the sports medicine and knee specialists who diagnose and treat Osgood-Schlatter disease in young athletes for patients across the Barrington Orthopedic Specialists network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?+
Osgood-Schlatter disease is one of the most common causes of knee pain in growing children and teens. It occurs where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone, and while it can be painful, it does not pose a serious or lasting threat to a child's growth or long-term knee health.
What Causes Osgood-Schlatter Disease?+
Osgood-Schlatter disease is driven by repetitive stress on the knee during a growth spurt, when bones, muscles, and tendons don't always grow at the same rate. It's especially common in young athletes whose sports involve frequent running or sprinting, jumping and landing, and sudden pivots — think soccer, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and track and field.
What Are The Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease?+
- Pain and tenderness below the kneecap
- Swelling over the shinbone
- A visible or palpable bony bump below the knee
- Pain that worsens with running, jumping, kneeling, or climbing stairs
What Are The Treatment Options For Osgood-Schlatter Disease?+
Most cases respond well to conservative, non-surgical care, including rest or activity modification, ice and anti-inflammatory medication to ease pain and swelling, and wrapping or a knee strap to relieve pressure on the tendon during activity.
If symptoms worsen with activity, a longer rest period followed by a structured conditioning program may be needed to strengthen the knee before returning to sport. Surgery is rarely necessary and is typically reserved for the uncommon case where pain persists into adulthood after the growth plate has closed.