Parents often attribute knee pain in children and adolescents to "growing pains." These discomforts arise when the periosteum, the membrane encasing bones, stretches and stimulates surrounding nerves as bones grow faster than adjacent muscles or tendons. Typically, such pains resolve without intervention. Yet, if pain, swelling, or warmth persists despite limited activity or typical growth, it may indicate a different condition. A medical evaluation is essential to identify the cause.
One frequent knee issue in adolescents is Osgood-Schlatter disease. Named after the physicians who first described it, the condition causes pain and swelling at the tibial tubercle, where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone, often producing a noticeable protrusion below the knee. It occurs when rapid bone growth outstrips the tendon's adaptability, leading to repeated stress, inflammation, and healing cycles. This results in anterior knee pain, a bony prominence, and tenderness upon pressure.
Osgood-Schlatter disease commonly affects children, particularly boys aged 10 to 16, and sometimes young adults in their early twenties, especially those with high physical activity. Symptoms include tenderness when pressing the protruding tibial tubercle, pain during physical exertion, or discomfort following falls or kneeling. Pain may intensify at night after highly active days, subsiding or becoming intermittent by morning.
Unfamiliar to many, Osgood-Schlatter disease is often mistaken for growing pains, as both emerge during similar developmental stages. Parents may overlook persistent knee pain, assuming it’s a normal part of growth, and seek care only when symptoms worsen. Fortunately, the condition does not impair growth or typically necessitate surgery. In cases of severe discomfort disrupting daily life, surgical removal of the protruding bone or fragments may be considered.
Increased activity exacerbates symptoms, so rest is critical during painful episodes. Avoiding knee-stressing actions, such as kneeling, is advisable. Given that Osgood-Schlatter disease often coincides with the period of growing pains, parents should not dismiss ongoing knee complaints. A visit to a medical professional for a thorough assessment and diagnosis is crucial.
Kim Kuk Ju, HEALTH IN NEWS TEAM
press@hinews.co.kr