The pain is usually made worse by exercise, jumping, and using steps. Symptoms usually begin around age 11 in girls and age 13 in boys during their peak adolescent growth spurt. X-rays of the knee will show either a fragmented tibial tuberosity or soft tissue swelling around the knee. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a benign condition although the teenager may complain of pain for up to a year.
Treatment varies depending upon the severity of the pain and the activity level of the adolescent.
If the pain is severe, the young adult should stop all running and jumping activities for a while. Knee pads, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help ease any discomfort. For more persistent symptoms, a padded, elastic knee brace may be used although this treatment usually does not reduce the time required for recovery. In rare cases the disorder lasts until the tibial tuberosity finally fuses to the tibia at about age 18. A similar condition, known as Sever's Disease, causes pain around the heel at the point where the Achilles tendon inserts.