Arthroscopic treatment of unresolved Osgood-Schlatter lesions

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a self-limiting condition in most cases. Those with unresolved pain after conservative treatment can obtain relief with surgical debridement of the mobile ossicles and tibial tuberosity. We present an arthroscopic technique for debridement. The location of the inferomedial and lateral parapatella tendon portals can be raised slightly to allow improved instrumentation and visualization in the anterior interval. An anterior interval release is performed with the mechanical shaver and radiofrequency ablation device. Care is taken to visualize the meniscal anterior horns and intermeniscal ligament. By staying anterior to these structures, debridement can be performed aggressively onto the anterior tibial slope. The bony lesions are shelled out from their soft-tissue attachments. Small and loose fragments are removed with a pituitary ronguer, whereas larger lesions are removed with an arthroscopic burr. Working deep along the anterior tibial slope is facilitated by extending the knee and taking tension off the patellar tendon. Postoperatively, patients are allowed full weight bearing and unrestricted range of motion. The advantages of this technique include the avoidance of the patellar tendon longitudinal split required for open procedures and the ability to address concomitant intra-articular pathology.