Free Osgood-Schlatter Parent Guide
Does your child's knee hurt when they run, jump or play sport?
Download the free Osgood-Schlatter Parent Guide and understand what's happening, what to change this week and how to help your young athlete work back towards sport.
8-page PDF • Written by a physiotherapist • Free instant download
What you'll learn inside the free guide
- What's happening at the knee
- What to change this week
- How to manage sport and training
- How loading and strengthening fit into recovery
- What to monitor
- When to seek further assessment
- How recovery progresses towards sport
Osgood-Schlatter can leave parents wondering what to do next
You don't need to work it out alone.
6-Week Recovery Framework
Want a structured plan to work through?
The free guide helps you understand what's going on. The £59 Osgood-Schlatter Recovery Framework provides a structured six-week progression with load and pain guidance, exercise demonstrations and clear progression points.
Common questions from parents
Should my child stop playing sport?
Usually not completely. Most children can keep playing with some changes to how much and how hard they train. The guide explains how to adjust sport based on their symptoms.
Is Osgood-Schlatter serious?
It is a common growth-related condition and is not usually serious, but it can be painful and frustrating. If there is severe pain, swelling, redness, night pain or they cannot bear weight, get them seen by a health professional.
How long does it take to settle?
It varies. Symptoms often ease over months as growth slows, and many children improve sooner with sensible load management and strengthening.
Is the bony lump normal?
Yes, a firm bump below the kneecap is very common with Osgood-Schlatter and may stay after the pain has gone. It is not usually a problem on its own.
Is this suitable for every child?
The guide is general education for parents. It does not replace an assessment, and if you are unsure what is causing the pain, speak to a physiotherapist or GP.
Is this individual physiotherapy?
No. The free guide and the 6-Week Recovery Framework are general, template resources. They are not personalised physiotherapy or a diagnosis.
This information is general education, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment by a qualified health professional.
Please read before you buy
- These are educational rehabilitation frameworks, intended for young athletes who have already been appropriately assessed and diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional.
- They are not a substitute for individual clinical assessment, diagnosis or treatment, and they are not personalised to your athlete.
- A parent or guardian should be involved throughout, and should supervise the exercises.
- Stop and seek advice if symptoms get worse, or if any red flag appears: significant trauma, inability to weight bear, night pain, fever, unexplained weight loss, or a hot, swollen joint.
- Young athletes vary. Progress at a pace that suits the individual, and seek professional assessment if you are unsure whether this is suitable.
Start with the free guide
Get clarity on what's happening and what you can do next.
References
The research and guidance we drew on when writing this guide.
- Arnaiz, J., Piedra, T., de Lucas, E.M., et al. (2011) 'Imaging findings of lower limb apophysitis', American Journal of Roentgenology, 196(3), pp. W316-W325.
- Frush, T.J. and Lindenfeld, T.N. (2009) 'Peri-epiphyseal and overuse injuries in adolescent athletes', Sports Health, 1(3), pp. 201-211.
- Gabbett, T.J. (2016) 'The training-injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder?', British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(5), pp. 273-280.
- Ladenhauf, H.N., Seitlinger, G. and Green, D.W. (2020) 'Osgood-Schlatter disease: a 2020 update of a common knee condition in children', Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 32(1), pp. 107-112.
- Lloyd, R.S., Cronin, J.B., Faigenbaum, A.D., et al. (2016) 'National Strength and Conditioning Association position statement on long-term athletic development', Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(6), pp. 1491-1509.
- Neuhaus, C., Appenzeller-Herzog, C. and Faude, O. (2021) 'A systematic review on conservative treatment options for Osgood-Schlatter disease', Physical Therapy in Sport, 49, pp. 178-187.
- Peck, D.M. (1995) 'Apophyseal injuries in the young athlete', American Family Physician, 51(8), pp. 1891-1895.
- Rathleff, M.S., Winiarski, L., Krommes, K., et al. (2020) 'Activity modification and knee strengthening for Osgood-Schlatter disease: a prospective cohort study', Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 8(4), 2325967120911106.
- van Ark, M., Docking, S.I., van den Akker-Scheek, I., et al. (2016) 'Does the adolescent patellar tendon respond to 5 days of cumulative load during a volleyball tournament?', Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 26(2), pp. 189-196.