Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
A pediatrician, a doctor for children and teens, or a primary care doctor can often diagnose Osgood-Schlatter disease. An orthopedic doctor, who treats bone and joint problems, or a sports medicine doctor can help if pain does not get better. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a painful swelling of the bump on the upper part of the shinbone, just below the knee. This bump is called the tibial tubercle. It is a common cause of knee pain in growing teens.
The tendon from the kneecap attaches to the shinbone at this spot. The growth plate is an area of cartilage near the end of a growing bone. When a child is fully grown, the growth plate hardens into solid bone.
Symptoms
The main symptom is painful swelling over a bump on the shinbone.
- The pain gets worse with running, jumping, and climbing stairs.
- The bump is tender when pressed, and the swelling can be mild or severe.
- Symptoms can occur in one leg or both legs.
- Muscles in the front or back of the thigh may feel tight.
If both knees hurt, one knee may be worse than the other.
Causes and who gets it
Doctors think small injuries from overuse cause it before the knee is finished growing. When a child is active, the quadriceps muscles, the big muscles at the front of the thigh, pull on the tendon below the kneecap. The tendon then pulls on the bump on the shinbone. In some children, this repeated pulling irritates the growth plate.
It most often happens during growth spurts. It is common in teens who play soccer, basketball, and volleyball, and in teens who do gymnastics. Less active teens can get it too. It affects more boys than girls.
How doctors diagnose it
A health care provider can tell if your child has it by doing a physical exam. The doctor presses on the bump, which should be tender. The doctor may also ask your child to walk, run, jump, or kneel to see if these movements bring on the pain.
X-rays are not needed to make the diagnosis. They are only done if the doctor has other concerns about the knee pain.
Treatment
Osgood-Schlatter disease will almost always go away on its own once the child stops growing. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and swelling. Options include:
- Resting the knee and doing less when symptoms start.
- Putting ice on the sore spot 2 to 4 times a day and after activities.
- Using a cold pack, but not placing it directly on the skin.
- Taking pain medicine such as ibuprofen, other NSAIDs, or acetaminophen.
- Stretching the muscles at the front and back of the thigh.
- Wearing a patellar tendon strap, a band worn just below the kneecap.
A child may sometimes need a break from most or all sports for 2 or more months. Rarely, a cast or brace is used if symptoms do not go away. Surgery may be needed in rare cases. Most symptoms disappear when a child finishes the growth spurt, around age 14 for girls and age 16 for boys. The bump on the shinbone can stay and may even get bigger until the child is finished growing.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if your child has knee or leg pain, or if pain does not get better with treatment. Limping or a large amount of pain even at rest are signs of a more severe case. Also see the doctor if the pain makes sports not fun anymore, even though your child is doing all the treatments.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can examine your child, explain the plan, and check how your child is doing over time. Either can also refer you to a bone specialist if needed.
Common questions
Does Osgood-Schlatter disease go away?
Yes, it will almost always go away on its own once the child stops growing. Most symptoms disappear after the growth spurt, around age 14 for girls and age 16 for boys. The bump on the shinbone may stay.
Can my child still play sports?
Often yes, if the activity does not cause too much pain. Symptoms get better faster if activity is limited. Continuing activity will not cause long-term damage to the knee.
Does my child need an x-ray?
Usually not, because the doctor can make the diagnosis from the history and exam. X-rays are rarely needed unless the provider wants to check for other causes of the pain.
Can Osgood-Schlatter disease be prevented?
It may not be possible to prevent it, because the small injuries that cause it often go unnoticed. Regular stretching before and after exercise can help prevent injury.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Osgood-Schlatter disease
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
