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Osgood-Schlatter's disease - Management
What advice should I give about exercise to someone with Osgood-Schlatter's disease?

  • For people who are able to undertake their usual exercise schedule with only minimal symptoms, advise them to continue taking exercise but to seek advice if symptoms deteriorate.
  • For people having difficulty tolerating their usual exercise schedule, recommend exercise modification.
    • The amount of exercise modification needed to decrease symptoms to an acceptable level will vary from person to person, depending on symptom severity and response to treatment.
    • Modify exercise by any or all of the following:
      • Reducing exercise duration, frequency, or intensity.
      • Changing the type of exercise to ones that avoid or limit the amount of running and jumping requiring powerful quadriceps contractions.
    • As symptoms decrease, gradually increase exercise.
  • For people who cannot tolerate a modified exercise program, avoidance of activities that provoke pain may be necessary for a limited period until symptoms decrease.
    • Once symptoms have decreased to an acceptable level, advise introducing low-impact quadriceps exercises before gradually increasing the intensity of exercise.
      • Options include multiple isometric quadriceps contractions, straight-leg raises, or cross-training with such activities as cycling or swimming.
      • If symptoms remain settled, advise gradually increasing the intensity of the exercises and combine them with stretching of the quadriceps and hamstrings.
      • If symptoms recur, stop exercises or reduce their intensity. Gradually re-establish exercise or increase exercise intensity on the basis of symptoms.
    • Consider referral to a physiotherapist to manage rehabilitation, particularly if recovery is slow.
  • Corticosteroid injections are not recommended.

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