5-Minute Emergency Consult
Osgood–Schlatter Disease
Basics
Description
- Osteochondritis of the tibial tubercle at the insertion of the patellar tendon
- Common in girls ages 8–12 yr and boys ages 12–15 yr
- Pain and edema of the tibial tuberosity:
- Tenderness at insertion site for patellar tendon just below the knee joint
- Extra-articular disease:
- Pain is worse with activity and improves with rest
- Caused by repetitive stress and is common in children participating in sports
- Benign, self-limited knee condition
Etiology
- Etiology is controversial
- Leading theory: Microfractures caused by traction on the apophysis
- Pain occurs during activities that stress the patellar tendon insertion onto tibial tubercle
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Citation
Schaider, Jeffrey J., et al., editors. "Osgood–Schlatter Disease." 5-Minute Emergency Consult, 7th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2027. Emergency Central, emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307642/all/Osgood–Schlatter_Disease.
Osgood–Schlatter Disease. In: Schaider JJJ, Barkin RMR, Hayden SRS, et al, eds. 5-Minute Emergency Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2027. https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307642/all/Osgood–Schlatter_Disease. Accessed July 10, 2026.
Osgood–Schlatter Disease. (2027). In Schaider, J. J., Barkin, R. M., Hayden, S. R., Wolfe, R. E., Barkin, A. Z., Shayne, P., & Rosen, P. (Eds.), 5-Minute Emergency Consult (7th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307642/all/Osgood–Schlatter_Disease
Osgood–Schlatter Disease [Internet]. In: Schaider JJJ, Barkin RMR, Hayden SRS, et al, eds. 5-Minute Emergency Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2027. [cited 2026 July 10]. Available from: https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307642/all/Osgood–Schlatter_Disease.
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BT - 5-Minute Emergency Consult
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