Why is it called Osgood Schlatters Disease?

Osgood Schlatter Disease. Also known as Osgood, OSD, Osgood Schlatters, growing pains, and plenty more!

The pronounciation of the condition is Oz-Good Sh-Lat-Ers”

Formally known as traction apophysitis, Osgood most commonly occurs in children and teenagers between the ages of 10-18 and is usually associated with rapid period of growth. Osgood is typically seen in more active, or sporty kids.

Osgood pain is incredibly targeted, with almost pin-point localisation under the knee cap on the top of the shin where the patella tendon connects into the tibia bone. This pain is usually made worse by high intensity exercise or being knocked and can sometimes become painful at night time (possibly due to growth occurring during sleep).

Why the name Osgood-Schlatter?

Like many discoveries in the scientific and medical world, the name Osgood Schlatters is born from the scientists who first discovered it. In this case two separate men, on opposite sides of the world.

Osgood Schlatters was actually discovered on two separate occasions, in the same year. Both times were in 1903 and both discoveries were by surgeons.

The first was Dr. Robert Osgood (1873–1956), an American orthopaedic surgeon, and the second Dr. Carl B. Schlatter (1864–1934), a Swiss surgeon. Both discovered and described the injury as occurring in rapidly growing children.

As a result the two have joint naming rights for their work in discovering and describing the disease of patella tendon enthesis irritation, Now known as Patella traction apophysitis, or Osgood Schlatter Disease.

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Is Osgood Schlatter Disease actually a disease?

While it is most commonly referred to as Osgood Schlatter Disease, it is possibly more accurate to be considered an injury or a condition. This is because it is often brought about by the combination of rapidly growing bones and high activity levels, which leads to overuse and stress on the patella tendon.

We find thinking of Osgood Schlatter as an injury instead of as a disease can help give young athletes more optimism and a sense that they can take action to help rehabilitate or manage their pain.

Our treatment plan for Osgood approaches the problem like a tendon condition rather than a disease, and as a result we have helped over three thousand young athletes recover from Osgood in just weeks.