Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Osgood-Schlatter Disease is characterized by inflammation of the tibial tuberosity which is the area just below the knee, where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone (tibia).  The condition is characterized by a painful lump just below the kneecap. It is generally seen in young adolescents aged 9 to 16 years.

 

Causes

 

Osgood-Schlatter Disease is mainly caused as a result of overuse injuries during sports activities such as running, jumping, volleyball etc. It exerts additional stress over the quadriceps muscles which cause pain, irritation and swelling. The condition occurs during growth spurts of adolescence due to changes in the structure of bone, muscles, tendons etc. Boys are at a higher risk of developing Osgood-Schlatter Disease because they are more involved in sports activities as compared to girls.

 

Symptoms

• Pain in the front and lower part of the knee
• Tight muscles in front or back of the thigh
• Swelling
• Pain increases while running or climbing stairs
• Tenderness

Diagnosis

The orthopedic doctor may thoroughly examine the knee and apply pressure to the tibial tubercle to assess pain and swelling. He may also ask the patient to kneel, walk or jump to check for symptoms. Certain imaging tests such as an X-ray may also be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.

 

Treatment

 

Non-surgical treatment:

• Medications: Anti-inflammatory medicines may be recommended by the doctor to provide relief from pain and inflammation.
• Rest: The orthopedic doctor may suggest the patient to take proper rest. Vigorous activities such as running, jumping should also be halted to avoid straining the joint.
• Ice: Applying ice packs at frequent intervals can be beneficial to ease pain and compress swelling.
• Physical therapy: Performing certain exercises, as suggested by the physical therapist, can help to speed up recovery.
• Brace: Wearing a cast or brace can help to provide support to the affected knee.

In severe cases, when non-surgical treatment does not provide relief, surgery may be required to remove the small part of the bone that gets separated.

 

Prevention

• Children should wear kneepads while playing sports in order to prevent themselves from getting injured.
• Avoiding strenuous activities such as running, jumping , soccer, rugby etc. can also prevent the onset of the condition.

It is advisable to consult an orthopedic doctor for proper treatment.

Orthopedic Treatment For Frozen Shoulder

Frozen Shoulder, also called Adhesive Capsulitis, is a painful condition that causes stiffness, pain and restriction in movement of the shoulder. The connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint, known as the shoulder capsule, becomes stiff and inflamed causing discomfort and pain. The condition most commonly affects people between the ages of 40 and 60 and is seen more in women.

Causes

• Limited movement after a surgery or fracture
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Parkinson's disease
• Cardiac disease
• Diabetes

Symptoms

The symptoms of Frozen Shoulder can be divided in three progressive phases:

• Freezing Phase: This phase begins with stiffness of the shoulder, which is marked by intermittent pain in the shoulder region. It may last for about three to eight months with mild stiffness.

• Frozen Phase: This is also known as ‘adhesive phase’ and lasts about four to twelve months. It is characterized by increased stiffness, pain in muscles and lack of arm movement.

• Thawing Phase: The thawing or ‘recovery phase’ of Frozen Shoulder lasts for about twelve to 42 months. There is stiffness and pain in the shoulder, which is less severe and improves with time.

Diagnosis

In order to diagnose the condition, the orthopedic doctor may perform a physical test to check the range of motion of the patient’s arm. The doctor can ask details about the patient’s medical history and look for inflammation or bruising around the shoulder area. The doctor may also recommend certain imaging tests like X-ray and MRI to determine the extent and cause of the condition.

Treatment

Depending upon the severity of the condition, the orthopedic surgeon may suggest the following treatment options:

• Medication: The orthopedic doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected joint.

• Physical Therapy: The patient may be recommended to visit a physical therapist to improve flexibility and movement of the shoulder. 

• Surgery: In case non-surgical treatment doesn’t offer the desired results the orthopedic surgeon can recommend surgery. During the procedure the scarred tissue is surgically removed to provide full range of motion to the shoulder joint. The doctor can prescribe physical therapy after the surgery for proper rehabilitation.

If left untreated, Frozen Shoulder can worsen with time and cause severe pain. Thus, as soon as the symptoms appear it is advised that one must consult an orthopedic doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. The focus of the treatment is to restore motion and offer relief from pain.

Achilles Tendon Disorders

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body which stretches from the calf muscles to the bones of the heel. It can be easily felt at the back of ankle and above the heel. Besides being the largest tendon, it is prone to injuries which may occur in many forms including inflammation of the tendons and partial or complete rupture, or tear of the tendons. 

The most common disorders related to Achilles Tendons are: 

• Achilles Tendonitis: It is the inflammation of the tendon which usually occurs due to overexertion or overuse of the tendons such as during running, playing, dancing etc. The inflammation is short lived but can progress into deterioration of the tendons if proper treatment is not given on time. 
• Achilles Tendonosis:  It is the degeneration of the tendon and occurs if Achilles tendonitis is not treated properly. In this condition the tendon loses its structure and develops tiny tears which may also lead to rupture of the tendon, in severe cases.

Causes:

Achilles Tendon disorders, also known as “overuse” disorders, are generally caused by a sudden increase of a repetitive activity which puts pressure on the Achilles Tendons. Other causes may include:

• Increase in level of physical activity too quickly 
• Lack of proper stretching before exercise
• Wearing high- heels
• Feet conditions like flat feet
• Improper techniques used for exercise
• Tight muscles or tendons
• Bone Spur

Symptoms:

• Pain near the back of the feet, which is generally severe during morning or after rest
• Pain worsens with activity
• Stiffness and tenderness
• Disorganized tendons
• Tendon thickens

In case of severe pain and inflammation, the patient should seek immediate orthopedic care as the condition may deteriorate and lead to ruptured (torn) tendons.

Treatment: 

The treatment for Achilles Tendon depends upon the severity of the condition which is checked by the orthopedic doctor by performing X-Rays and MRI’s etc. The condition can be treated by both surgical and non-surgical treatments.

Non-surgical treatments:

• Immobilization: This is the first step towards reducing the pain. An orthopedic doctor may suggest the patient to take complete rest and avoid motion as physical activities may worsen the pain.
• Ice Packs: Ice is used to reduce the inflammation over the tendons. Ice compression can be helpful for the patient suffering from acute pain and inflammation. The ice should not be applied directly rather a towel should be used for applying ice to the infected area.
• Anti-Inflammatory medications:  An orthopedic surgeon may also suggest anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the pain and the swelling.
• Exercise: There are certain exercises which help in reducing the stress on the Achilles Tendon.

Surgical Treatment: 

The surgical treatment for the disorder may be considered only if the patient does not show any signs of improvement after the non-surgical treatment. The surgery depends on the amount of damage to the tendons and the location of the tendinitis.