{"id":7460,"date":"2019-06-28T06:50:41","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T06:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7460"},"modified":"2021-04-14T19:16:42","modified_gmt":"2021-04-14T19:16:42","slug":"14-causes-risk-factors-for-osgood-schlatter-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-causes-risk-factors-for-osgood-schlatter-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Causes & Risk Factors for Osgood Schlatter Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Osgood Schlatter disease<\/a> is a common cause of knee pain among adolescents. It may also occur in some adults. It can cause a bony bump to appear on the shinbone, located just below the knee. This bump can become quite painful.
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Osgood Schlatter disease will most typically develop in girls aged ten to thirteen and boys aged twelve to fourteen. The exact cause of Osgood Schlatter disease is not known.
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However, there are some theories that suggest that the condition is caused by repeated contraction of the knee extensor mechanism. These repeated contractions cause micro avulsions of the tibial tubercle. These avulsions can cause tiny tears that can result in swelling and pain. This theory is supported by the fact that most cases occur in jumpers, runners, and other athletes that perform repetitive motions.
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Here are eight of the common causes and risk factors for the development of Osgood Schlatter disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to Osgood Schlatter disease, one of the most common risk factors is the age <\/a>at which it occurs. In girls, Osgood Schlatter disease is most likely to occur from the ages ten to thirteen.
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In boys, Osgood Schlatter disease will typically occur from ages twelve to fifteen. The reason for this is quite simply because girls tend to enter puberty at an earlier age than boys. The bones of adolescents have an area where the bone grows. This is called the growth plate. The growth plates are the areas of cartilage located around the ends of the bones. During the growth period, these growth plates can become swollen or damaged.
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This is especially true in the growth plates surrounding the knees. If your child is going through a growth spurt and has developed pain in their knees, there is a good chance that it is caused by Osgood Schlatter disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Sex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gender seems to play a role when it comes to the risk factor of developing Osgood Schlatter disease. The disease is more common in boys than in girls. The percentage of boys who develop the disease is higher than the number of girls overall.
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However, over the past several years the gender gap in incidences of Osgood Schlatter disease has started to narrow. The main reason for this is likely because there are more and more girls playing sports. This increase in the number of girls playing sports is likely the main cause of the increase in the number of girls now developing this disease.
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It seems that one of the highest risk factors<\/a> of developing Osgood Schlatter disease is playing sports that are strenuous on the knees. This can happen to both boys and girls equally when they are playing the same types of sports or participating in the same types of activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Sports<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common period of time for Osgood Schlatter disease to develop is during a growth spurt. This is a time when the muscles<\/a>, bones, tendons, and other structures within the body are rapidly changing.
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When a child is physically active, it puts more strain on the muscles and the bones. A child that is actively participating in athletics, especially sports that involve jumping and running, have a higher risk of developing Osgood Schlatter disease. However, adolescents who are less active may experience the symptoms of this disease as well. The increased risk of developing Osgood Schlatter disease from being active does not mean that your child should not continue his or her activities.
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An active lifestyle is overall very healthy and important, especially during adolescence. However, if your child is active and experiencing knee or joint pain, taking a short break from their usual activities may be necessary to allow them time to heal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How flexible a person is can determine the risk of developing Osgood Schlatter disease. A person who has tightness throughout the quadricep muscles can cause an increase in the pull of the kneecap tendon<\/a>. This increase in the pull can cause additional stress on the growth plate.
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Osgood Schlatter disease affects the growth plate, which is why it is most common in adolescents who are still growing. It is during a growth spurt that this disease is most likely to occur. Increasing the flexibility of the muscles can actually decrease the chances of developing Osgood Schlatter disease. Stretching and strength exercises can actually help lower the risk of developing this disease.
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If a person develops Osgood Schlatter disease proper stretches and specific exercises can help to ease the pain that they are experiencing. Improved flexibility is one of the ways that you can improve your chances of recovering from the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Tightness in the Muscles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In some cases of Osgood Schlatter disease, a person may experience a tightness throughout their leg or legs. This tightness will typically occur in the thigh. It may be down the front of the thigh or the tightness can go clear down the back of the thigh.
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This tightness <\/a>may also occur all throughout the leg and be accompanied by swelling below the knee and of course pain throughout the knee joint. Stretching may help to alleviate some of the pain and tightness.
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Rest, and over the counter pain medication can help with some of the pain. The combination of tightness throughout the thigh, knee pain, and swelling below the knee are all signs that you may have Osgood Schlatter disease. It is a good idea to go to the doctor in order to determine the exact cause of the knee pain that you are experiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Rapid Skeletal Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another risk factor of developing Osgood Schlatter disease is rapid skeletal growth<\/a>. During adolescence, the body goes through a rapid growth spurt. This occurs as the body is growing and changing. For most kids, this growth spurt happens over a period of time.
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However, there are some kids who experience a rapid amount of growth in a short amount of time. When this occurs it can put stress on the body, including the muscles and joints. As the bones are growing and stretching, the growth plates of the joints can become stressed. This can cause a person to experience pain.
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It is common for kids going through a growth spurt to experience pain in their legs. When the pain is throughout the knees it is a sign that Osgood Schlatter disease. When this occurs a person may have knee pain along with pain in the shins and tightness throughout the thighs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Repetitive Motions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any type of repetitive motion can put a person at risk for developing Osgood Schlatter disease. The repetitive motions can be quite hard on the joints and cause damage. When a child is still developing, their bones, muscles, and joints, are not fully formed.
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This means that putting added pressure on the joints can cause many different issues, including the development of Osgood Schlatter disease. Running, gymnastics, jumping, and any other types of sports that require repetitive contractions of your quadriceps, a micro avulsion occurs. The area of the patellar tendon insertion becomes separated, this results in an elevation of the tibial tubercle, which is the common cause of Osgood Schlatter disease.
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If you are experiencing the symptoms of Osgood Schlatter disease it is important to rest. Over the counter medications <\/a>can also be used in order to help alleviate some of the pain associated with the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Doctor Examination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your child is experiencing knee pain it is a good idea to take your child to the doctor to determine the exact cause of the pain that your child is experiencing. During the examination, the doctor will talk to your child about the symptoms they are experiencing and ask questions about their health in general.
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The doctor will examine the knee in order to determine what is causing the pain. This may include applying pressure to the area below the knee. This pressure will be tender or even painful if they are suffering from Osgood Schlatter disease.
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Additionally, the doctor may ask the child to run, walk, kneel, or jump, in order to determine whether these movements will bring on any symptoms of pain. An x-ray<\/a> of your child\u2019s knee may be ordered in order to confirm that it is Osgood Schlatter disease or to rule out any other issues.
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