Osgood Schlatter Syndrome (OSS) usually presents in growing children and teenagers with gradual onset of pain, swelling and tenderness at the front of the knee.
Knee painSymptoms are often worse with sporting activities that involve jumping such as basketball, volleyball or when there is direct contact e.g., kneeling. OSS is considered “traction apophysitis” which means that the strong quadriceps muscle of the thigh is pulling at a patch of bone just below the knee. This in essence is the source of pain. Most cases of OSS are mild and treatment involves ice, analgesic medications and activity modification. Although OSS usually improves, it is important that any knee pain is seen by a sports physician as symptoms may mimic that of other more serious conditions.
By Dr Thomas Gan