Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common growth-related cause of knee pain in active children and teenagers. It causes pain and a tender bump just below the kneecap. This page explains Osgood-Schlatter disease and how load management, exercise and, where foot mechanics contribute, orthotic therapy may help.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a traction apophysitis, which means irritation of a growth plate caused by repeated pulling from a tendon. Here, the patellar tendon pulls on the growth plate at the top of the shin bone (tibial tuberosity), just below the kneecap.
It typically affects children aged around 10 to 15 who play running, jumping and kicking sports. Like Sever’s disease in the heel, it is self-limiting and usually settles once growth is complete, although a bump below the knee may remain.
Management mainly focuses on load management and exercise. Podiatrists consider the whole lower limb, and where foot posture, such as flat feet, or footwear is thought to contribute to knee loading, orthotic therapy may be considered as part of the plan.
Children may not always describe symptoms clearly, so parents often notice changes in walking, activity or footwear first. Common signs include:
A podiatry assessment considers your child’s growth stage, symptoms, foot posture, walking pattern, activity levels and footwear.
Considers age, growth stage and sports involvement.
Locates tenderness at the tibial tuberosity.
Reviews foot, knee and hip mechanics during movement.
Training volume, surfaces and footwear.
If pain is unusual, severe or not settling.
Management is tailored to your child’s age, activity level, foot posture and goals.
Orthotic therapy is not a primary treatment for the knee itself. However, when assessment identifies that foot posture or footwear may be increasing load through the knee, orthoses may be considered to improve lower-limb alignment and comfort during sport.
This is combined with load management, flexibility and strengthening, which are the main components of management.
Adjusting sport and training while pain settles.
May be considered where foot mechanics contribute to knee load.
Supportive, cushioned sports shoes and boots.
Ice after sport and knee padding for kneeling.
Learn more about orthotic therapy, strengthening, stretching and strapping, or view all treatments. Related kids conditions include patellofemoral pain, Sever’s Disease, foot apophysitis, shin splints, growing pains.
Assessment can help your child manage symptoms and continue enjoying sport.
Please see your GP if knee pain is severe, present at night or at rest, if there is significant swelling, redness or fever, if pain follows an injury, or if your child is limping. Hip problems can also cause knee pain, so persistent knee pain with a limp should be checked promptly.
It is a common, self-limiting growth-related condition. Symptoms usually resolve after growth is complete.
Orthoses are not a primary treatment, but may be considered where foot posture is thought to increase knee loading.
Many children can continue sport with modified load. Pain levels usually guide activity.
The bump below the knee may remain after symptoms settle, but it is usually not painful.
We create a calm, supportive space to help children feel comfortable during assessment.
Where appropriate, prefabricated and custom foot orthoses are discussed based on assessment findings.
We help parents understand what is normal, what may need monitoring, and what can be supported.
Our clinic is located at 1/50 Kitchener Parade, Bankstown, and sees families from across Sydney, including Bankstown, Condell Park, Padstow, Revesby, Lakemba and Belmore. Visit our children’s podiatry page for more kids foot conditions, read about our clinic, or contact the clinic to make an appointment enquiry.
This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual assessment and advice. Outcomes vary between children. If you are concerned about your child’s health, please consult your GP or a registered health practitioner.
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