What can I do for Osgood-Schlatters?
-
National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:If you have Osgood-Schlatters, you should perform a combination of flexibility and strengthening techniques to help your body heal and prevent further injury. Begin by foam rolling your calves and IT-band. Foam rolling is a form of self-massage that can help relax tight muscles before you stretch them. Hold the tender spots for 30 seconds to allow your muscle time to relax and release the knots that are causing tension in the muscle. After you have completed the foam rolling, statically stretch your calves and hip flexor complex. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds so that your muscles have time to elongate. Next, perform strengthening exercises for the foot, ankle, and hip. Single-leg calf raises will help strengthen the muscles that support your foot and ankle. Perform lateral tube walking to strengthen the muscles in your hips that help control your foot and ankle. Lastly, perform a single-leg balance exercise to strengthen the muscles of the entire leg. When performing any single-leg exercise, ensure that you keep the arch of your foot lifted while performing the exercise. Perform 1-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions of each of these exercises.
If you have Osgood-Schlatters, you should perform a combination of flexibility and strengthening techniques to help your body heal and prevent further injury. Begin by foam rolling your calves and IT-band. Foam rolling is a form of... More -
Dr. Matthew C. Evans of Intermountain Healthcare answered:The treatment for Osgood-Schlatter's Disease is mostly relative rest. This does not mean that you have to eliminate all activities, but it does mean that you have to be more choosey. When Osgood-Schlatter's Disease presents itself it usually lasts for 1-2 years and then goes away on its own. But during that time period ‘stop-start’ sports are going to be more aggravating because they create the most tension on the affected structures (patellar tendon and tibial tuberosity). These include sports like football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis, but other activities like jumping on a trampoline can also increase pain and swelling. So you may have to limit your game or practice time and even eliminate non-sports activities that worsen symptoms. Limiting the number of sports that you play in a year to one or two is a good strategy.
Other helpful measures are anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen), ice after activity, increasing thigh muscle flexibility and strength, and a supportive band (patellar strap) that goes across the knee.
The treatment for Osgood-Schlatter's Disease is mostly relative rest. This does not mean that you have to eliminate all activities, but it does mean that you have to be more choosey. When Osgood-Schlatter's Disease presents itself it usually lasts... More
