Osgood-Schlatter's Disease

Description: Osgood-Schlatter's disease is an apophysitis. The apophysis are cartilaginous areas with their own growth plates and are sites for tendon insertion. Overuse may lead to microtrauma and inflammation where the quadriceps tendon inserts on the tibial tubercle.
Osgood-Schlatters usually affects boys about 13 years old and girls 11-12. It is the most common cause of knee pain in children less than 16 years old. Common activities associated with OS include soccer, basketball, ice hockey, and gymnastics. Most often OS occurs in the rapidly growing phase of early puberty. About 1/2 the cases are bilateral.