Orthopedics Sponsors do not influence content. Paget first described the clinical syndrome in 1891. In 1903, Osgood and Schlatter published separate papers on the subject. Because of a lack of a precise definition, it is difficult to differentiate OS disease from avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle.
Histologic studies suggest a traumatic etiology for OS disease.
Bone growth is faster than soft tissue growth, which may result in muscle tendon tightness across the joint and loss of flexibility. During periods of rapid growth, stress from contraction of the quadriceps is transmitted through the patellar tendon onto a small portion of the partially developed tibial tuberosity. This may result in a partial avulsion fracture through the ossification center. Eventually, secondary heterotopic bone formation occurs in the tendon near its insertion, producing a visible lump. OS disease is typically benign and self-limited.