I think I might have Osgood Schlatter in my knee?

Question

Well I just started basketball a week and a half ago. I am 13, it hurts below my kneecap, the pain is when I put weight on it while it is bent, and I think my knee is swelled a tad bit.

Any one out there have OS? Does anyone have any tips?

I haven't gone to the Dr. I used WebMD.

Answer 1

WebMD is not called for here. You need to go to a good doctor and be sure. Just remember, this does not need to hamper your enjoyment in life. But then again, you may have another problem that is easy to fix. Think positive.

Answer 2

I agree with the observation of the PT: seated calf raises will do nothing to "shear" the tendon in the area. The area where you are experiencing pain is the tibial tuberosity, attachment point for the common patellar tendon of the quardiceps muscle group. The tendons for the gastrocnemius (calf) attach to the BACK of the femur, not on the front of the tibia. Besides, a seated calf raise does not cause any shearing forces in the knee, with or without dysfunction. FYI- Muscular pain or tendinitis can be painful and may feel like a disease. However, jumping to the conclusion that you have OS Disease is a bit premature and also very disempowering. The solution to this type of pain is often resolved very quickly with the right help. Studies, and my own professional experience, prove that MOST pain is caused by overly tight muscles. Release the muscle, resolve the pain. Simple.

You are feeling pain there while in a squatting position because the quadriceps are contracting and levering on the tendon. Without seeing you and performing an evaluation I cannot say exactly what is going on there. However, my suggestion is to start with the simplest solution and work your way up. Find a good PT, massage therapist, or Neuromuscular Therapist, have them massage and gently stretch the muscles in question and see if that helps. If it does, problem solved. A PT or NMT will also perform a postural assessment. That's a good first step because there may be other imbalances or postural distortions causing your symptoms; the site of the pain is rarely the source of the pain. You may have imbalances in your hips or posterior leg muscles or a misaligned pelvis that is causing overload and compensations in your quads. If this doesn't help, the next step may be to have a sports doctor look at it to rule out more serious conditions.

Answer 3

At your age, it is imperitive to have a medical evaluation to differentiate between OS, patellar tendonitis, or bursitis. The reason is, that OS, if left untreated, may progress to tiny microfractures at the tibial tuberosity (where the patellar tendon inserts). A worse case scenario would involve surgery. One thing, besides rest, that is often helpful in cases of OS or patellar tendonitis is a patellar tendon strap which changes the fulcrum point of the patellar tendon.

Here is a site that demonstrates one:
http://www.painreliever.com/captainsports_cstendon.html

I read the comment about the seated calf raise...I'm trying to figure that one out as the quads are relatively quiet during a seated calf raise (maybe some study I've never come across before). I WOULD however, avoid at all costs a seated knee extension as THIS produces considerable compresison and shear force at the patella.

Answer 4

My son had this same problem for a couple of years and the best I could do for him was make him put a ice pack on it for 5 or ten minutes and then kept him plenty of Epson salt to soak it in very warm water he also had a knee brace he wore and I took him to the orthopedic doctor all it was, was growing pains so just bare in there it will get better.

Answer 5

Talk to a doctor (I'm sure you have, or you wouldn't know what it is you have). All I can recommend is proper diet and moderate exercise to promote healthy bone and muscle. Specifically, I recomment resistance training. Studies have shown that lifting weights helps bone growth and obviously, strenghens the muscles. The one exercise I recommend avoiding at all costs is the seated calf raise. That will apply shear force to the tendon in question and will cause more harm.

Answer 6

it is so unfair that youthful athletes have this disease. It seems such as you have executed approximately each and every thing. relax, ice ( 20 minutes each and every 2 hours), and elevation are the hallmarks of treating any inflammatory technique. you additionally can attempt ibuprofen or alleve as directed on the bottle. Joints are no longer drained as many times as they have been some years in the past, because of the fact any injury contained in the exterior could be a source of an infection. desire this facilitates.

Answer 7

i got it when i was in 7th grade. The pain goes away but still today when my knee its something it hurts. I did go to a doctor a long time ago and he said there is nothing that they can do.

Answer 8

My friend does...and she does dancing etc. I dont think theres much you can do, but shes just careful with her exercise and stops if it starts to hurt coz it can make her knees buckle.

Answer 9

you really should get an x-ray. the ligaments may have permanent damage if not treated. try some diclofenac (1%) in the mean while.