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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Osgood Schlatter's Syndrome: Guest Posting by Alyssa Jacobs

I am very excited that this is my first guest posting ever. It is on Osgood Schlatter's Syndrome, a common knee problem seen in teenagers.


A Guide to Osgood Schlatters Syndrome

     This article was written by Alyssa Jacobs. Alyssa is a health enthusiast who promotes healthy lifestyle practices, and has a passion for fitness, exercising, and dieting. Along with physical fitness she promotes healthy habits for skincare practices, and works to provide you with the best acne treatments.

     The painful, deforming condition known as Osgood Schlatters syndrome can be a minor irritation or in some cases extremely painful. Osgood Schlatter is the result of physical strain mainly in patients in the age range 9-16, and involves pain and swelling just under the knee cap on the tibia bone. This condition usually coincides with a growth spurt, resulting in strain from quadriceps muscles pulling on the patellar tendon. It is important to understand what activities may cause this condition, what the treatment options are, and what this condition will do to an individual.


     Osgood Schlatter comes at a time in a young athletes life when it is most inconvenient. On top of growth spurts, loss of coordination, and acne, now a young teenager may have to deal with painful knees. This pain can even limit young teens from competing in sports at a time when learning the sport is most beneficial. Sports involving strain due to high volume of stop and go playing
are the leading contributors for this painful condition. Some of these sports may include tennis, track or basketball.

     Pain can be even more extreme with acute knee impact. Symptoms can last anywhere between 12-24 months, or until the particular patient has fully grown into their body. By limiting activity, and practice, athletes might not be able to have their competitive edge, and could even lose out on things like a college scholarship due to lack of activity from severe pain. That is why it is very important to have this condition evaluated early and start treating the symptoms right away.


     Treatment for Osgood Schlatter's can come in many forms. The most common form of treatment is called "RICE". RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. There are also other treatment options, such as physical therapy, stretching, braces, crutches, or even casting for up to six weeks. In very severe cases and when an individuals bone structure has matured, surgery may be needed to correct damage done to the bone.

     However, if symptoms are treated early enough, stretching can usually take care of the problem. In regards to stretching, it must be a detailed and thorough stretching process. Consult your physician, or review stretching procedures. Taking tension off of strengthening leg muscles can be very beneficial for your bones and tendons. Ten second stretches to the left and the right is just not going to cut it. Stretching must become routine. Mornings, nights, preworkout, and post workout are all good times to stretch. Also if you are going to stretch, do it right!


     Osgood Schlatter should never hold you back from being active. Consider using braces, or knee pads to protect from direct contact. Treating Osgood Schlatter is very important to a teenagers physical fitness and health. Treatment can also help teens stay on the right path to successful athletic careers. Do not ignore the symptoms as they may become more complicated, and require more dramatic treatment. Consult your physician to find a stretching and treatment regimen that would work for you.





As you stretch the quadriceps, keep in mind all the general principles of stretching in the video and text below.

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/search/label/Stretching%20General%20Principles

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Thank you very much for leaving a comment. Due to my time restraints, some comments may not be answered.I will answer questions that I feel will help the community as a whole.. I can only answer medical questions in a general form. No specific answers can be given. Please consult a podiatrist, therapist, orthopedist, or sports medicine physician in your area for specific questions.