Understanding the Interactions Between Loading, Pain Dynamics, and Imaging Characteristics for Osgood Schlatter: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Osgood Schlatter's disease (OSD) is characterized by pain at the tibial tuberosity provoked during knee-loading activities, and is common in adolescent athletes. The aim of this studywas to characterize clinical, pain and ultrasound imaging characteristics in participants with OSD compared to controls. This cross-sectional study included adolescents diagnosed with OSD and matched controls. Following baseline evaluation including ultrasound, participants completed the following aggravating activities in a randomized order: single-leg isometric knee hold, single-leg squat, single-leg vertical jump, hopping, running, cutting, lunges, and walking. Participants rated pain intensity on a numeric rating scale (0-10; no pain to worst pain imaginable) and localization during activities. We included 35 participants with OSD (48.5% females, age 13.0 [SD 1.5]) and 21 controls (47.6% females, age 13.4 [SD1.4]). Doppler signal was more prevalent in OSD participants at the tendon (77% vs. 30%) and tuberosity (29% vs. 10%). Tendon thickness was greater in OSD at distal (mean difference = 4.5 mm 95% CI 1.5-7.5) and proximal sites (mean difference = 4.2 95% CI 0.1-8.3). Aggravating activities induced higher pain in OSD. The greatest differences between OSD and control were the dynamic single-leg squat (mean difference = 4.2 (95% CI 3.22-5.1)). Pain was localized at the tibial tuberosity and patellar tendon during activities. Sex, sports participation, bilateral pain, and Doppler were associated with greater pain during aggravating activities. Single-leg activities loading the tibial tuberosity through the tendon appear to provoke OSD-related pain more than other sports specific movements. This may be useful to guide adolescents on which activities are likely to aggravate pain.