Osgood Schlatters Disease Archives

Osgood-Schlatter's Disease

I was diagnosed with OSD nearly thirty years ago, only then my GP called it osteochondrosis (which I believe is it's clinical name). Fortunately my GP was excellent and recommended exactly the right thing - reduced exercise. I suffered many painful experiences at the hands of a disbelieving (and rather arrogant) sports teacher (what he didn't realise was that I was sports mad and hated being restricted), as I was unable to do cross country, and sports that involved a lot of running. From reading some of the archives being ostricised is a small price to pay. Fortunately I don't seem to have experienced any long term side effects apart from small lumps below the kneecap.

My question is my son (12.5yo) has just been diagnosed with the same thing (although currently only in one knee). Is this an hereditary condition? I've picked this up very early with our local GP as I was familiar with that telltale little bump and he's only just started complaining about the pain.

John M

Follow Ups:

• Re: Osgood-Schlatter's Disease (Archive.) Walt Stoll 09:16:57 4/10/02 (0)

In Reply to: Osgood-Schlatter's Disease posted by John M on April 09, 2002 at 02:35:01:

Hi, John M.

I know of no definite statistics but would not be surprised to hear that the tendency to this is genetic.

However, OSD is a LOT different than osteochondrosis. The first related to closure on the growth plate and the second a degenerative condition of the joint surfaces.

At this age is the perfect time to try to cure this by avoidance of any sports, avoiding climbing stairs and avoiding running or jumping in everyday life for a year. He might be able to have a normal teenage experience IF he will follow that now and give the epiphysis a chance to heal. The younger it occurs, the more chance to heal it quickly and the worse it will be if it is NOT treated this way. You could help expend the normal energy dissipating need of this age by encouraging swimming and/or underwater exercises.

Good luck.

Walt