Kids with Osgood-Schlatter disease need to limit activities that cause pain that makes it hard to do that activity. For example, it's OK for a child who feels a little pain when running to keep running. But if running causes a limp, the child should stop and rest. When the pain is better (usually after a day or two), the child can try the activity again.
Sometimes health care providers recommend physical therapy (PT) to keep leg muscles strong and flexible while a child gets better. It doesn't happen often, but some kids might need a total break from all sports and physical activities.
To help your child feel more comfortable while healing from OSD:
- Put ice or a cold pack on the knee every 1–2 hours for 15 minutes at a time. Put a thin towel between the ice and your child's skin to protect it from the cold.
- If your health care provider says it's OK, you can give ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or store brand) or acetaminophen (Tylenol or store brand). Follow the directions that come with the medicine for how much to give and how often to give it.
Kids with OSD can usually do their normal activities, including sports, as long as:
- The pain is not bad enough to interfere with the activity.
- The pain gets better within 1 day with rest.
For kids who play sports, it can help to:
- Wear shock-absorbing insoles in their sneakers and cleats.
- Put a heating pad or warm washcloth on the knee for 15 minutes before sports.
- Put ice on the knee for 15 minutes after the activity (with a towel between the ice and the skin).
- Wear protective kneepads, especially for wrestling, basketball, and volleyball.
- Stretch before and after sports.