[Ultrasonographic findings in Osgood-Schlatter disease]

The Osgood-Schlatter disease affects the patellar tendon in its attachment to the tibial tuberosity. It is quite frequent in adolescents, especially in young males practising sports. Its diagnosis is mainly clinical. The findings of tenderness and focal swelling of the tibial tuberosity are typical of this condition. The Osgood-Schlatter disease can damage bone, cartilage, tendon and serous bursa. US yields complete information on the involvement of these structures. High-resolution US of the knee was performed on 70 patients with clinically suspected Osgood-Schlatter disease. More or less apparent cartilage swelling was demonstrated in 100% of our patients, tibial tuberosity fragmentation in 75%, diffuse thickening of the patellar tendon, at times inhomogeneous, in 22% and finally bursitis of the infrapatellar bursa was demonstrated in 17% of our patients. US provides complete information on the involvement of the tibial tuberosity and of the surrounding soft tissues, thus proving to be a simple and reliable method to diagnose the Osgood-Schlatter disease. Moreover, US is suitable for the periodical follow-up of disease course.