Diagnose Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease, also known as Osteochondrosis, is thought to be caused by repetitive overuse of the knee in athletic adolescents. Children or teens who play volleyball, soccer, basketball or participate in gymnastics are most commonly diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter. This disease occurs more often in boys, though it does affect girls.
Instructions
1. Get a diagnosis. Give your physician medical history information. After she performs a physical examination, she questions the child about his pain and whether it is affecting one or both legs.
2. Check to see whether the child still has full range of motion. Though rare, Osgood-Schlatter disease can affect range of motion in the knees and hips. Most of the time the child displays full range of motion, though some positions may cause tenderness.
3. Look for swelling and tenderness. As the disease progresses, lumps might also appear under the kneecap on the shin. These bumps may remain long after the disease goes away.
4. Get an x-ray if your physician recommends it. An x-ray can rule out any other conditions, but most often the physical examination is all that a doctor needs to diagnose the disease.
5. Discuss treatment options with physician. Treatments for Osgood-Schlatter are generally rest, analgesics, reduced sport activity and possible casting if resting doesn't help. Once the child has finished growing, the disease resolves.
Tags: range motion, full range, full range motion, physical examination, your physician