Osgood Slaughter

I was a very athletic child and also had Osgood Slaughter. I was told the same thing and also remember having to cut back sports due to the pain. My main sports ws soccer and I had to drop back from a forward and play defender for a while. I did grow out of it and no longer have any pain or knee problems. I this very frustrating, but if he just gives it time he will grow out of it. ( I think it took about a year or so before the pain subsided).

L. (Mom to 3 wonderful boys 11, 9, 7)

Hi S.,
I'm going to respond by giving you a post from sports nutritionist in a Shaklee group that I belong to. It's a bit long but I hope it will help. The nutritional supplements that are recommended are all Shaklee (e.g., Physique is a powedered drink that Olympic athletes use to rebuild muscle and replace carbs/protein after working out). Let me know if you'd like to try your son on the organic, non-GMO, non-chemical washed, soy protein and/or any of the other supplemens. All the best, J. www.shaklee.net/healthyfriends
Creating Healthier Homes & Lives for 52 Years!

"Below, I provide some background information on Osgood-Schlatter's and some
recommendations for both for its prevention and for recovery. For a
background perspective, the following information comes from the book, Sports
Health,
The Complete Book of Athletic Injuries by Dr. William Southmayd, MD and
Marshall Hoffman published by the Putnam Publishing Group.

CAUSES:
Osgood-Schlatter's disease is not really a disease. It is a tendonitis of the
kneecap (Patella) tendon. The inflammation is at the junction (insertion
point) of the kneecap tendons and the tibia. In young athletes (all children and
teenagers are
young athletes), the tendon is attached to prebone (growth plate) which is
weaker
than the normal adult bone. With 800 to 1200 pound stresses on the tendon
from running and jumping, the tendon can become irritated and a resultant
tendonitis begins.

Osgood-Schlatter's disease occurs only in growing people --- usually between
the ages of ten and sixteen years and virtually never in someone older than
twenty years of age. The tendonitis often shows up as a bump one abd a half
inches below the kneecap, on the front of the top of the tibia.

DIAGNOSIS:
Osgood-Schlatter's disease begins with low-grade pain located directly over
the patella tendon attachment to the tibia (shin bone) It frequently starts at
the beginning of a sports season or after periods of forced inactivity and
then an opportunity
for a dramatic increase in activity levels. Spring time with its associated
enthusiasm
and increased play opportunities is the season for greatest incidence
exclusive of sports specific onset. With onset, there is pain when first rising
in
the morning which
intensifies with use during the day. In most cases, the pain is not initially
severe enough to preclude walking and playing sports. The most common symptom
is pain when kneeling. It usually takes two to three weeks for maximum
symptoms to build up. When it becomes severe, a person is unable to run at full
speed and some limp. The discomfort/pain is made worse by squatting, climbing
stairs, and walking up hills. Physical examination will show a tenderness and
swelling directly over the tendon attachment. A bump (inflamation/calcification)
at the tendon insertion can be felt. Further testing is done by having the
person sit on a table or other surface so that there is a 90 degree bend at the
knees and the lower leg dangles down . Theexaminer places his/her hand on the
ankle of the patient and has the patient push
outward to straighten the knee. This should will cause discomfort/pain.
Coming off the table, have the patient do a full squat --- thighs past parallel.
This also should cause pain.
IF OSGOOD-SCHLATER'S, WHAT SHOULD BE DONE:
1. Ideally, reduce the level of activity causing the symptoms.
2. Ice the area afteractivity/practice. Use an ice cup or tie on an ice bag.

3. Use a CHO-PAT or similar knee strap (You can obtain CHO-PAT knee straps
from M-F Athletic Company, 800-556-7464, for $13.95 plus shipping. Straps are
sized based on knee circumference.)
4. Increase protein intake. Concentrate on Shaklee's Energizing/Instant
Protein (6 scoops minimum). Other primary sources --- tuna, egg whites, chicken
breast.
5. Physique: Take immediately after practice/activity and then again 2 hours
later and before bed.
6. Vita Lea: My own feeling is that everyone should be taking at least 4
daily. With injury, I suggest doubling that amount.
7. Opti-flora: 1-2 servings daily. Will increase absorption of all
nutrients.
8. Alalfa: As much as the person will take. 100+ tabs daily is not out of
the question although there are likely few children who would take that amount.
There are those who are highly motivated and are truly competitors who will.
9. Vita C500: 6+ daily. Move to the bowel threshold. Once there, back down
by 1-2 and then start upward again at a slower rate.
10. Calcium-Magnesium: 6-16 daily. 1-3 at breakfast and lunch, 4-5 at dinner
and before bed.
11. Zinc: 1-3 daily.
12. B Complex: 2-8 daily.
13. If everything else is going in, adding EPA, GLA, and Lecithin would be a
plus.

PREVENTION OF OSGOOD-SCHLATER'S:
1. Good solid nutrition. Everyone needs more than the USDV/RDA level of
nutrients. Athletes and active children need more nutrients than coach potatoes.
This means that a child needs good food on his/her plate 3-5 times a day plus
appropriate levels of supplements. Do not expect to obtain nutrients from the
food stuffs on the plate. Listen to Dr. Bruce Miller's audio tape, Why
Supplementation.
2. Physical Training. Children can start weight training at 8 years old.
This should be focused on basic, core movements. To prevent Osgood-Schlater's,
concentrate on squats, leg curls, deadlifts, and lower leg exercises. For lower
leg exercises, obtain a copy of Maximum Calves from Health for Life
(800)874-5339 [in California: 800-523-9983]. At a minimum, do Standing Toe
Pull-Backs
and Calf Bounces. Following that,
integrate Single-Leg Calf Raises.
3. Get better insoles for your sports shoes. I use SOF & Sorbothane insoles.
These can be obtained from Road Runner Sports. (www.roadrunnersports.com)
phone orders 800-551-5558 customer service 800-662-8896.
4. Coaches, start your practices with your normal warm up but be sure that
you include the standing toe pull-backs and calf bounces both at the beginning
and end of practice. Stretch gently as part of warm up and include a quad
specific stretch. Part way through practice, include PNF stretching for both the
quad and hamstring muscles. It will take a bit of time to train this but it
will pay long term dividends.
Include individual and PNF stretching at the end of practice. End of practice
stretching is the most important."

Hello S.:

I am a parent of a 5 year old and a 2 year old who relys on Mamasource for great advice from other parents!

I also work in Public Relations at Shriners Hosptials for Children - LA. After reading your question I asked one of our orthopedic surgeons if we treat this disease - yes we do.

This was his response: Osgood-Schlatter disease is inflammation of the growth cartilage between the proximal tibia and the tibial tubercle (where the patellar tendon attaches). It often happens in growing children (usually teenagers). When teenager’s bones mature to adult bone, the cartilage is converted to bone in that area and therefore the inflammation goes away by itself (as does the pain).

Treatment during the painful stage can consist of:
1. activity modification (avoid jumping /stairs/kicking),
2. anti-inflammatory medication,
3. a knee strap worn over the patellar tendon.

If you would like to get a second opinion or want to have our staff examine your child all you have to do is fill out a patient application.

All of the medical care provided at any of the 22 Shriners Hosptials are at no cost to the children and their families. We have pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons and plastic surgeons on staff to assist with all of the children who come to us with orthopedic conditions and burn scars.

If you want more information or a patient application, please visit our website at www.shrinershq.org. You can call the hospital directly and ask for the public relations office at ###-###-####. I can send you a packet of information, application and / or provide a hospital tour.

Good luck!

E.

I would definitely try a chiropractor. Personally, I've had a lot of success with magnets for pain and imflammation. If you google "magnetic knee brace" you will come up with several sites. There are several options for natural anti-inflammatories. Cod liver oil is excellant. You can find it flavored or in capsule form. Aloe vera juice is also great. You can add it to another juice. I'd shoot for 1-2 oz/day.
Topically you could try emu oil or tiger balm. Good Luck.

My son also had Osgood Slaughter and used braces when he played high school football. The braces fit over his knees and half way down his leg to the middle of his calfs, they taped them on his leg. They also had bands on them. At first he didn't like them, then after playing with them on during the whole game, he could not play without them. Once he wore them the whole team started calling him "Robo." He said it really helped his knees. The football athletic director ordered them for him. You can probably get or order them in the sports athletic store. Good luck!

A little about me:
My kids are grown now and I have nine grandchildren.

My son also had Osgood Slaughter (we use to laugh about the name).. he was about 14 or 15yrs old at the time.....He was very active in sports ...and played alot of basketball in junior high. It was during the basketball season when he was diagnosed by an orthopedic doctor...The doctor said it's a very common ailment among "young" enthusiastic atheletes...as their bones are growing and still haven't come together at the knee. All the jumping and bounding to the area when playing agravates and infames the knee.
Our doctor put my son in leg casts for about 2-3 months.. giving rest to the knees and allowing them to keep growing without pain... And it worked...he's pain free

A.J.

P.S.
If your doctor does put your son in casts...be prepared for him to be real excited ...at first...about the casts ...but only for a short time....(they want everyone to sign them) then they begin to act like little kids on a road trip " when will we get there?".....Instead it's "when can I have these taken off?) Bath time is an awkward time....as garbage bags have to be taped around the legs to shower.

Hope I've been of help

Hi S.,
I had that as a teen and (now this may be very outdated, as that was 15 years ago) the orthapedic doctor gave me a knee brace to wear when I played sports. I was a competitive dancer and cheerleader, so I wore it a lot. The brace was made by Body Glove (I know they don't exist anymore). It had a thisk cushion that pushed my kneecap toward center from the outside and held it in place. It had velcro straps that wrapped around above and below the knee and spring things running up the sides. (sounds crazy as I read what I just wrote LOL) It actually was quite comfortable and helped keep my stability. Of course, I didn't wear it during dance competitions, but during practice and cheering, it was a God Send! I did grow out of the problem in a year or so and had no lasting effects!

I hope that information helps, or at least gives the both of you hope of outgrowing it! Don't quit playing!!!

Please go to the following website and check out OSCON for Osgood Schlatter disease. I ordered two bottles for my then 14 yr. old grandson and he started getting relief from the pain within two weeks. He soon had complete relief and before the second bottle was finished the swelling was almost gone as well. He took a third bottle....just to be sure...he is now 15 1/2 and is pain/symptom free.

http://www.osgoodschlatter.com:80/order.html

Both my son and I were wondering why he had that large knot below one of his knees; he developed it over the past year (he is a freshman in high school and was on the Track & Field team and is now practicing for Cross Country). He doesn't really complain of pain, though. Should I take him to the doctor right away? Does the bump ever go away? I really need to research this condition more; I had never heard of it prior to reading your mail message. Good luck to you and your son.

I suffered from Osgood Slaughter's disease -- please note this was 20 years ago. I was diagnosed at the age of 10 and began seeing an Orthopedic physician. The first thing they did was put me in a leg brace to keep my leg from bending and he had me doing exercises each night. That did not resolve it so the next move was me taking cortisone shots for the pain. I took the shots in my knee until I was 18 and then had the surgery to scrap the disease from my knee and remove bone chips that were floating around. The great point to my story is that after I finally had the surgery, I had no more of the pain I used to suffer with. If me or my mom would have known the surgery was going to be so successful, I would have had it done earlier and forgone a season of sports. I was very active in athletics and did not want to miss any season. Best of luck to you and your child. It is painful and I feel for him.

My husband has this, and the bumps (according to what he has told me) do not go away on their own. The more he strains them the bigger the bumps will get, but once they're there they don't go away. That said, my husband is a very active young man who regularly runs up and down seven flights of stairs at work and played (and started) for a state championship football team in high school. He also wrestled, but football was his thing. Osgood Slaughter is just a chronic pain condition, but with proper care and a good knee brace he should be able to continue with sports. Unfortunately I have found that some doctors prefer we live in a bubble (I used to get hives on my legs when I played rugby in college, and the doctor basically told me to stop using anything with fragrance in it on myself or anywhere in my home- but it turns out I was reacting to something in the turf we played on). Just look into care and maintainence of his knees- I asked my husband, and he said to the best of his knowledge there's no risk for permanant injury and that the only risk of playing sports is to increase the chronic pain, which he will grow out of (but like I said, it could make his knees "knobbier"). My husband also said that, if he's old enough to play organized sports (like middle school or older) he should be able to make the decision himself as to whether he plays and potentially makes the pain worse or stay out of sports. If he wears a knee brace and avoid sports that put a lot of impact or twisting onto the knee (he said that football was okay, but wrestling was painful) he should be okay. But I agree with him about letting your son choose, especially since the likelihood of permanant or serious injury isn't any higher.

And, like the other poster mentioned, my husband doesn't have any problems now related to playing with it then.

I had that as a teenager as well. I am not sure I remember excatly what my dr said (and has probably changed a lot since then), but my understanding was it was related to growth. One part growing faster than the rest. I remember playing with it for at least a couple years. Lots of ice/heat and elevation. I also remember the drs saying if you don't slow down now you will have problems later. That really scared my folks but as a teenager you are invincible so I just played through the pain. The good news is that I am 38 now and haven't had any of the "problems" the dr spoke of. Suppose it could still cause problems later but I don't think it will be because I played sports with osgood slaughters!

S.

I had Osgood Schlatters disease for 3 years as a teen and was very active in sports. My doctor taught me how to tape my patella which I used to do every time I played sport and it really helped me at the time - might be worth seeing if this is an option for your son.

S.

Hi, S., My son was diagnosed with this by A doctor. He was very athletic and they wanted him to stop. He was just entering puberty and just starting to grow. I took him to a chiropractor and told them what it was and they disagreed with the diagnosis and just treated the knee. My son wore a patella strap for about a year. He is 6' 1" and was that tall at 13 years old. He is still an athlete and runs track in college and says that his knees are okay now. He complains of other things now! Go figure!! So, maybe go to a chiropractor or maybe get a second opinion. Just my advice to you.

here's the deal with that. I'm 37 and I still have it. I was very active with sports as a child as well. I remember it being really rough during growth spurts. But it gets better and you can do activities. But the second you graze,hit or scuff your knee you out. For a while. It really sucks then. I know back in the 80's there was a surgery solution but I didn't qualify. It was too close to my "growth line" and the doctors were scared to cut it and I would be lopsided. See what the dr says for your son. We tried knee pads etc. To no avail. You just have to be careful and aware. They may have new treatments these days I don't know. Good luck. If you have any other questions about I'm here for you.

I had that as well when I was growing up. The doctor too told me to cut back on all my sports.. Ya, right. I played every sport there was- soccer, cheerleading, gymnastics, track, hurdles, tennis.. The only thing I can say is if you want to lead an active life it hurts a bit. I dealt with it- at times very painful.. One thing that I found later in life was yoga..I believe that if I practiced that as a child growing- maybe it could have helped. It sure does now. But, unfortunately, while not playing- rest, ice, rest, ice... Good luck!

3 ideas that work together or separately with varying degrees of assistance:

1.) Chiropractic to make sure the femur is lining up with tibia and fibula, so not put put added pressure on the patella.

2.) A good calcium to allow the muscles to relax, so there is less pulling on the patellar tendon...not to mention that calcium is a natural painkiller and muscle relaxant. Not all calciums are created equal and increasing milk will not do the same thing. This is the one I use:
http://www.worldlifesupplements.com/products_main.html

3.) Get an Osgood-Schlatter's support, which is like a knee brace, with a hole in the front and supports built in.
http://www.kneesupport.com/osgood/index.htm

Hi S.,

I had Osgood Slaughter when I was a freshman in high school. I tried getting around not playing sports. but I had to stop any sport that required a lot of running. I was diagnosed with it while I was on my high school cross country team. I kept pushing myself but the pain got too bad and I decided it wasn't worth it to cripple myself for life. I joined my schools swim team as that was a sport that did not aggrevate it. After I stopped the sports the pain went away and I don't have any lasting problems with my knees. But it was really disappointing having to quite sports like that for awhile. You might want to put him in a sport like swimming, water polo etc that is really easy on your knees.

Good luck I hope it's helpful to know that this will pass eventually.