Precise risk factors for Osgood-Schlatter disease

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Sports Medicine

Background:

• Previous Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) risk factor studies lacked prospective design and skeletal maturation categorization.
• Ultrasonography in prospective cohort studies can identify precise OSD risk factors in asymptomatic adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the precise risk factors for Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD).
• To identify specific risk factors in adolescent athletes using ultrasonography and prospective monitoring.

Main Methods:

• A 3-stage ultrasonography classification (S, I, C) assessed tibial tuberosity development.
• A 1-year prospective cohort study followed 70 knees in 37 asymptomatic male players (Stage I).
• Assessed risk factors included body measurements, quadriceps/hamstring muscle tightness, and knee extension/flexion strength.

Main Results:

• The incidence of OSD was 14.3% over the 1-year study period.
• Significant differences between OSD and control groups were observed in body weight, quadriceps tightness, and knee extension strength/flexibility.
• Logistic regression identified quadriceps femoris muscle tightness and strength, and hamstring muscle flexibility as precise OSD risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Quadriceps femoris muscle tightness and strength, along with hamstring flexibility, are key risk factors for OSD.
• Recommendations include teaching quadriceps stretching to preadolescent male football players with Stage I tibial tuberosity development.