Osgood-Schlatter disease

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Risk factors

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The main risk factors for Osgood-Schlatter disease are age, sex and participation in sports.

Age
Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs during puberty's growth spurts. Age ranges differ by sex because girls experience puberty earlier than do boys. Osgood-Schlatter disease typically occurs in boys ages 13 to 14 and girls ages 11 to 12.

Sex
Osgood-Schlatter disease is more common in boys, but the gender gap is narrowing as more girls become involved with sports.

Sports
Osgood-Schlatter disease affects about 20 percent of the adolescents who participate in sports, as compared with only 5 percent of adolescents who don't participate in sports. The condition happens most often with sports that involve a lot of running, jumping and swift changes in direction. Examples include:

  • Soccer
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Gymnastics
  • Figure skating
  • Ballet
Complications Causes
References
  1. Moutzouros V, et al. Osteochondroses. In. DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1111724571&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00022-1--sc2&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00022-1--s0125&uniqId=234606866-3. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  2. Mercier LR. Osgood-Schlatter disease. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1111724571&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00024-X--sc0055&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00024-X--sc0055&uniqId=234606866-3. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  3. Kienstra AJ, et al. Osgood-Schlatter disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  4. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 6, 2011.
DS00392 March 19, 2011

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