If your teenager is complaining about pain just below the kneecap — especially after sport — they might be experiencing Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease. While the name sounds intimidating, it’s a common and treatable condition in active, growing children and adolescents.
At Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry, we often see this in young athletes involved in running, jumping, and kicking sports such as football, basketball, soccer, and netball.
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is not actually a “disease” but an overuse injury affecting the tibial tuberosity — the bony bump at the top of the shinbone, just below the knee.
In growing children, the bones, muscles, and tendons are still developing. The quadriceps muscle attaches to the tibial tuberosity via the patellar tendon. Repeated stress from sport can cause irritation at the tendon’s attachment point, leading to pain, swelling, and a noticeable bump.
Osgood-Schlatter’s most often occurs during growth spurts (ages 10–15). The bones lengthen quickly, but muscles and tendons can be slower to adapt. Combine this with high sporting loads, and the knee’s growth plate can become irritated.
While Osgood-Schlatter’s will often settle once growth is complete, managing symptoms early is key to keeping young athletes active and pain-free. At DR7, our physiotherapists use a personalised approach, which may include:
If biomechanics are contributing to the knee stress — for example, flat feet or poor lower limb alignment — our podiatrists can assess gait and provide custom orthotics or footwear advice to reduce strain on the knee.
Osgood-Schlatter’s is self-limiting, meaning it usually resolves with time. With the right guidance, your child doesn’t have to sit on the sidelines — we can keep them active while supporting a safe recovery.
✅ If your teen is struggling with knee pain, book an assessment with Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry today — we’ll create a tailored plan to keep them moving and pain-free.
