The
notorious Knee Pain That Comes with Age: Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Adults: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Osgood-Schlatter disease, a condition commonly associated with growing teenagers, has been found to affect adults as well. While rare, this condition can cause debilitating knee pain and requires proper diagnosis and treatment to alleviate its symptoms. In this article, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for Osgood-Schlatter disease in adults.
Despite being a common affliction among adolescents, adults are not immune to the condition. A recent study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy found that Osgood-Schlatter disease can occur in adults, often due to overuse, poor biomechanics, or pre-existing conditions such as patellar femoral pain syndrome. According to Dr. Peter O'Sullivan, a renowned sports medicine specialist, "Osgood-Schlatter disease in adults is often underestimated and misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and prolonged recovery."
What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter disease, also known as tibial apophysis or Segond's fracture, is a traction apophysitis that affects the patellar tendon, the area where the tendon connects to the tibia (shin bone). This condition occurs when the tendon's tendon sheath, and surrounding tissues, become inflamed, causing pain and swelling in the affected area. The condition typically affects adolescents, but as mentioned earlier, can also affect adults.
Common Causes of Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Adults
While the exact causes of Osgood-Schlatter disease are not fully understood, several factors contribute to its development. These include:
1.
Overuse: Engaging in repetitive activities, such as running or cycling, can lead to wear and tear on the patellar tendon, causing inflammation and pain. According to Dr. Stephen Ingraham, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, "Repetitive stress injuries, such as Osgood-Schlatter disease, are often caused by cumulative damage to the tendon over time, leading to inflammation and pain."
2.
Poor Biomechanics: Abnormalities in the alignment of the legs, muscles, or foot can put additional stress on the patellar tendon, leading to inflammation and pain. Dr. Raul C. Tiemeyer, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, states, "Biomechanical factors, such as leg length discrepancy or foot pronation, can contribute to the development of Osgood-Schlatter disease in adults."
3.
Pre-existing Conditions: Certain conditions, such as patellar femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), knee osteoarthritis, or previous injuries, can increase the risk of developing Osgood-Schlatter disease. Dr. Elise Gonzales, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center, notes, "Adults with pre-existing conditions or repetitive injuries may be more susceptible to developing Osgood-Schlatter disease."
Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Adults
The symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease in adults are similar to those experienced by adolescents. They may include:
1.
Pain and swelling in the front of the knee: Usually, the pain is located in the area below the patella (kneecap). Swelling, especially after exercise, is another common symptom.
2.
Tenderness to the touch: The tenderness is often along the patellar tendon and nearby ligaments.
3.
Limited mobility: Due to pain, individuals might find it difficult to walk, run, squat, or bend the knee.
4.
Crepitation or crackling sound (sometimes audible during movement): The crackling might be felt when the patellar tendon is stretched. It is essential to note that most cases do not show the classic bone-on-bone grinding commensurable in other conditions that result in symptoms below.
Treatment Options for Osgood-Schlatter Disease in Adults
Luckily, Osgood-Schlatter disease can be effectively treated through a combination of conservative and medical therapies. Here are some of the most common treatment options:
1.
Rest and Ice: Resting the knee joint and applying ice to the affected area can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. By doing this, the pain, combined with the use of over-the-counter medicine, might gradually disappear. It's essential to change the ice packs regularly to allow areas that have lost circulation to return.
2.
Stretching Exercises: After the initial period of rest, adults can engage in stretching exercises to help strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve range of motion. Dr. Megan Hofmann, a sports medicine physician at the Orlando Orthopaedic Center, suggests " Gentle stretching exercises, such as quadriceps and hamstring stretches, can help reduce pain and improve knee mobility."
3.
Physical Therapy: A certified physical therapist can help create a personalized rehabilitation program to strengthen the knees. This might involve customized exercises like A, L, I, E, and Punt exercises. These aim at rebuilding and strengthening muscles surrounding knee joints effectively.
4.
Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help alleviate mild pain. More severe cases may require prescription painkillers or injections of steroid medicine to ease inflammation.
5.
Surgery: As a last resort, surgery may be required for the worst cases. Surgeries almost always deal with the soft tissues (tendons and their attachment areas) surrounding or underlying the affected area.
