Osgood Schlatters Disease Archives

Osgood-Schlatter and surgery

Dr. Stoll,

I am a 22 year old female who was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter when I was about 12 years old. My doctor at that time told me that it would go away by the time I was 16 or 17 and did not tell me to do anything about it. Obviously, he made a very big mistake. I continued to play volleyball throughout high school and college without ever resting my knee. I just finished playing my senior year of college volleyball and the knot on my knee is bigger than ever and causes pain all the time.

I have read all of the other posts on this subject and found very little about people who have actually had surgery. I would like to have surgery soon. I have not yet seen a doctor, however, my father called a local orthopedic surgeon and he said that surgery was not necessary and that it would not help.

I would like to know if the surgery to remove the knot is common? Also, is it invasive or arthroscopic?

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Melinda Pitcock

Follow Ups:

• Re: Osgood-Schlatter and surgery (Archive.) Walt Stoll [9.8] 07:30:49 1/06/04 (0)

In Reply to: Osgood-Schlatter and surgery posted by Melinda Pitcock [1488.74] on January 05, 2004 at 22:59:05:

Hi, Melinda

In my opinion, any surgeon who would make such a pronouncement without examining you, studying your xrays and listening to your symptoms, is not one I would entrust to actually do any surgery any how. You really are lucky you did not actually have surgery by such a bozo.

Obviously your FP did not have a clue and that is why you are in the fix you are in now. Hopefully, you have a better FP now who can recommend a good orthopedist for a competent consultation.

The surgery is invasive and involves removing the separated epiphyisis, reattaching the patellar tendon (the most highly stressed tendon in the body) to the tibia and extensive rehabilitation following the procedure. However, it is very effective for resolving the symptoms for the rest of your life. There will be a big scar that may be as unsightly as the bump you have now.

Let us know what you learn.

Walt