Schlatter’s disease is a painful knee disease, which mostly affects young boys. With reduction of the causative overload, early therapy/physical exercises and termination of growth, the disease often heals by itself without the need for surgery or restrictions. Also known as Osgood-Schlatter disease, the disease describes pain in the anterior lower knee region.
Irritation of the site of attachment of the tendon (patella tendon), which runs from the anterior thigh muscle (Musculus Quadriceps femoris) via the patella to a bony prominence on the upper front tibia (Tuberositas Tibiae), can cause small pieces of bone to come loose, die off (osteonecrosis) and develop a painful bump. Schlatter’s disease occurs at a young age during growth, without a clearly defined cause. It is assumed that there is overloading and a muscular imbalance, or an imbalance between the thigh muscle and the tendon attachment to the bone, which cannot withstand the strain.
Load and resilience are not in harmony. The irritation is not infectious. According to various literature, the main age of onset of the disease is between 10-16 years. The ages given vary, but researchers and authors seem to agree that the problem lies in the growth phase.
3 simple exercises to imitate
- Strengthening the back of the thigh
- Stretching of the hip flexors
- Stretching of the front of the thigh
The development of Schlatter’s disease is not clearly clarified or detectable, but the disease is increasingly being diagnosed in children or adolescents who are active in sports and in overweight people. Thus, the cause can usually be assumed to be overwork. Since Schlatter’s disease usually occurs in adolescence, a connection with growth can also be assumed.
Circulatory disorders and rapid growth are also discussed as causes. Typical symptoms of Schlatter’s disease are a pressure pain at the tibial tuberosity described above, the site of the ligamentum patellae and the large front thigh muscle. Furthermore, pain occurs after exertion and when the quadriceps femoris muscle is tensed.
After irritation, the typical signs of inflammation may occur: Redness, swelling, heat, pain and functional impairment. Patients report severe pain especially after sports. More information about Schlatter’s disease can be found here: Osgood Schlatter’s disease
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