Anterior knee pain in young athletes: Osgood Schlatter or Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease?

Abstract

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease (SLJD) are commonly diagnosed conditions in young, athletic patients who present with anterior knee pain. Despite the familiarity many clinicians have with OSD because of its frequent diagnosis, it does not differ much from SLJD in clinical presentation. Although these diseases generally are self-limiting, diagnostic imaging studies can help clinicians make the correct diagnosis, helping patients avoid progressing to advanced disease states that would require extended rest time, prolonged pain, and potential surgical intervention.