Osgood Schlatters disease

This is a common condition occurring usually in young teenagers. It is caused by inflammation of the insertion of the patella tendon into the tibia at the tibial tuberosity (where the kneecap tendon inserts into the leg bone). There is often no definite history of injury.
It causes pain, tenderness and a lump of the tuberosity.
It is easy to diagnose and very frustrating to treat.
Treatment is often prolonged and frustrating. Sometimes the problem settles with rest, anti-inflammatory tablets and physiotherapy. However often the condition recurs as soon as sport is recommenced and prolonged periods of intermittent rest and subsequent return to sport may be necessary before the condition ‘burns itself out' over several years. Usually this leaves a permanent lump which is hard to remove but eventually becomes painless.
Occasionally surgery is very useful to remove 1 or 2 small bony ossicles (pieces of bone) if these are shown on X-ray and if they are very locally tender. This can be done at any age.