THE CURRENT BEST PRACTICE IN THE TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE

S. Kinsella¹, J. Stone¹, J. Mc Kittrick¹

¹SETU, Health and Sport Science, Carlow, Ireland

Background: Osgood Schlatter’s Disease, defining a painful traction apophysitis is the most prevalent musculoskeletal complaint described by the paediatric population (Lyng et al., 2020). Presenting as localized tenderness around the tibial tuberosity, it results in prolonged symptoms and functional impairments (Neuhaus et al., 2021). Previously it has been assumed to be a self-limiting condition, however, this concept is currently being challenged. Despite deficits in both strength and function following a “wait and see” approach, an effective treatment strategy is still absent within the literature (Neuhaus et al., 2021).

Purpose: The purpose of this narrative review is provide an overview of the current best practice in relation to the prevention and treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease, including conservative and surgical based management.

Methods: Following the guidelines provided by Ferrari. (2015), electronic data bases where searched for papers written in English, in relation to the treatment and rehabilitation of Osgood-Schlatter disease, between the years of 2015 and 2022. The key search terms employed included (Osgood Schlatter’s [Title] OR “Osteochondrosis” [Title] OR “Traction Apophysitis” [Title]) AND (Rehabilitation OR “Treatment” OR “Therapy” OR “Recovery” OR “Rehab” OR “Management” OR “Surgery”). Additional references were obtained utilizing the snowball effect, thereby employing a manual search amongst the cited references.

Results: When preventative measures fail for Osgood-Schlatter disease, conservative treatment should be the first line of management. A universal agreement exists in the literature for activity modification. Strengthening of the knee and hip musculature is deemed and effective strategy to offset the significant deficits which have been reported in these joints in this population (Rathleff et al., 2020). Injection-therapy has shown promising results however, further research is needed in order to establish its effectiveness. Surgery is reserved for those who experience persistent symptoms into adulthood and have failed prior conservative treatment with several invasive and non-invasive procedures reported in the literature.

Conclusions: Although low quality evidence currently exist for the management of Osgood-Schlatter disease, future randomised controlled clinic trials will endeavour to provide clearer evidence based treatment paths.

Implications: The results of this narrative review will inform Physiotherapists of the current best practice in the management of Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Funding acknowledgements: No funding source

Keywords:
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Narrative review
Best practice

Topics:
Musculoskeletal: lower limb
Sport & sports injuries
Disability & rehabilitation

Did this work require ethics approval? No

Reason: N/A narrative review