Best Exercises for Osgood-Schlatter Disease

What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?

Before jumping into the best exercises to manage symptoms and pain associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease, it's important to understand the mechanism behind this condition and why it presents the way that it does. Having a sound understanding of this diagnosis makes it easier for us to provide beneficial treatment strategies and exercises to mitigate symptoms.

As a child grows, so do their muscles and bones. As the femur bone of the upper leg gets longer, sometimes the quadriceps muscle (also known as the thigh muscle) has a hard time keeping up with this rapid rate of growth. This results in the quadriceps muscle repetitively pulling on the patellar tendon (located at the front of the knee), and this increased tension on that tendon can cause localized irritation at the growth plate of the tibia. This repetitive strain causes inflammation, swelling, and commonly a painful “bump” at the site of the tibial tuberosity (1). With all this being said, growth spurts can definitely result in some growing pains (no pun intended)!

From Orthoinfo

So who does Osgood-Schlatter disease most commonly affect?  In most cases, we see this occur in adolescents who partake in:

• Running related sports

• Basketball

• Soccer

• Volleyball

This is due to the addition of repetitive loading of the lower extremity with these particular sports. Wanna hear some really great news? Osgood-Schlatter disease typically fully resolves with the closing of the growth plate in later adolescent years, and 90% of individuals respond extremely well to appropriate exercise prescription, modalities, and functional strengthening (1).  Prior to the closing of the growth plate, is important to find ways to manage and improve symptoms during the adolescent years so that children can stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle during this critical time.

What Exercises Can Be Done for Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

We are so glad you asked! The treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease depends on each specific case, although several things can be done for all cases to ensure that you set yourself up for success when tackling these growing pains. In regards to participation in sport, activity modification may be needed including limiting jumping, hopping, running or anything that is causing repetitive load to the quadriceps muscle.

Remember, this is not a "forever" activity modification, just temporary to allow for inflammation management at the site.

Stretching is also very important in the management of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Yes, I said it, you need to stretch (cue the eye roll)! While I know it often feels difficult to prioritize stretching, stretching needs to be a part of rehab for Osgood-Schlatter disease, but also needs to be a part of everyday life to stay active and healthy.  With Osgood-Schlatter disease, it's critically important to stretch the entire leg including the hamstring muscle group, the calf muscles, the ITB, and the quadriceps muscle group. Take note: it's especially important to stretch the quadriceps muscle on the front of your thigh to decrease pulling on the patellar tendon (2). Remember, stretching should feel comfortable and should not increase pain. Curious about how often you should be stretching? Check out this podcast for all the answers!

Does the Osgood-Schlatter Disease “Bump” Ever Go Away?

As a physical therapist, I often times get asked if the “bump” on the knee will ever go away. Typically, it depends on the severity of the Osgood-Schlatter disease and the severity of the “bump” that develops. The more severe the case, the more likely it is for the “bump” to stick around. This raised area at the tibial tuberosity is not harmful, and is caused by a combination of patellar tendon fiber malalignment and increased calcification at the tibial tuberosity due to heightened bone activation at the growth plate (4). While this bump may not go away entirely based on the severity of the condition, it’s important to understand that it is not limiting in regards to participation in sport or activity. Research has shown that 75% of individuals return to full activity without limitation due to symptoms (5). So embrace the bump if you've got one, you've got nothing to hide.

What Else Can I Do for Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

Several other things can be done to mitigate symptoms associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease. On top of being diligent about stretching and strengthening, it’s important to set yourself up for success in other aspects of life. This includes wearing supportive footwear when partaking in sports, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water to help to manage systemic inflammation in the body, and getting adequate sleep. Yes, this does mean that getting appropriate amounts of sleep each night helps with tissue repair and healing (6). No Netflix TV show is as important as your health. Read this article to learn more about how to catch those quality Z's!

Closing Thoughts

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a very manageable and treatable condition that can be handled with proper strengthening, stretching, pain management, and activity modification as needed. It’s important to remember that even with expected tightness to the quadriceps muscle and the need to stretch it, you need to strengthen this muscle group as well to decrease the chance of further injury down the road. Do not let Osgood-Schlatter disease limit you from partaking in the activities you love, let the provided exercises serve as a guide to keep you healthy and active. Can't wait to see you out on the field