Version July 2025
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What is Osgood-Schlatter disease? —
This condition causes pain on the front of the knee, right below the kneecap. It usually affects children ages 9 to 14.
It happens during or after a child's growth spurt, which is when they grow a lot in a short amount of time. The disease commonly happens in children who do sports or activities that involve a lot of running or jumping.
Osgood-Schlatter disease can affect 1 or both knees.
What are the symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease? —
Osgood-Schlatter disease causes pain and sometimes swelling on the front of the knee, right below the kneecap. This spot is called the "tibial tuberosity" (figure 1).
The pain usually gets worse over time and can be severe. It gets worse with running, kneeling, jumping, climbing stairs, and walking up hills. It gets better with rest.
Will my child need tests? —
Probably not. Your child's doctor or nurse should be able to tell if your child has the disease by learning about their symptoms and doing an exam.
Most children do not need X-rays. But the doctor might order an X-ray of the knee to make sure that another condition isn't causing the symptoms.
How is Osgood-Schlatter disease treated? —
It usually goes away on its own after the child's growth spurt ends. This can take 6 to 18 months.
During this time, there are things you can do to ease your child's symptoms when they get worse or flare up. You can:
●Put ice on the knee – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the painful area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your child's skin.
●Give your child a pain-relieving medicine – Over-the-counter medicines include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).
After the pain improves, the doctor might recommend that your child work with a physical therapist (exercise expert). They can teach your child exercises to strengthen and stretch their leg muscles.
Can my child continue doing their sports and activities? —
Yes, as long as the pain:
●Isn't too severe
●Improves within a day with rest
To help protect the child's knee from getting hurt, the doctor might recommend that they wear a pad or brace made to cushion the front of the knee.
Does Osgood-Schlatter disease cause long-term knee problems? —
Not usually. In some children, though, the knee swelling lasts for a long time, even after the pain has gone away.
Some children have knee pain even after they stop growing, but this is uncommon. If your child's pain doesn't improve after they stop growing, tell the doctor or nurse. They might recommend other treatments.
Patient education: Knee pain (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a knee brace (The Basics)
Patient education: Knee sprain (The Basics)
