Osgood-Schlatters

[PhxRacket]

Anyone have a teen who tried to deal with this while advancing their tennis? My teenage son's training has plateaued as he has constant pain in both knees, but more pronounced in his left knee. He ices, but not nearly consistently enough, uses KT Tape when he works out or plays and rests in between. Any idea how long the pain may last? His Pediatrician wanted xrays, physical therapy and the like.

 

[ollinger]

Tennis would be one of the worst activities for a kid with O-S. Condition can go on for some years, most often goes away late in adolescence.

 

[PhxRacket]

Tennis would be one of the worst activities for a kid with O-S. Condition can go on for some years, most often goes away late in adolescence.

That is what I have been told. But, he loves it and fears that stopping, even for a short while, would put him far behind his peers. Although, this may be in the cards at some point.

 

[struggle]

I'm 45 now, but I had it pretty bad in Junior High and it continued to plague me abit into my early 20's. Now i just have slight tendonitis.

Hard courts are tougher for sure. You might try one of those "cho-pat" (??) type bands around the patella. It helped me when i was younger.

I was able to play HS tennis with some discomfort and some days i just needed a break. Since it's a chronic condition, heat may help as much or more than ice. Not sure about that as ICE was the recommendation back in the 80's.

I even had surgery on one knee which removed a piece of the cartilege at the attachment point (where the pain is) but this was at about 20 years old when I was playing competitive ultimate frisbee in college, It helped alot with the tendonitis which lingered.

 

[PhxRacket]

I'm 45 now, but I had it pretty bad in Junior High and it continued to plague me abit into my early 20's. Now i just have slight tendonitis.

Hard courts are tougher for sure. You might try one of those "cho-pat" (??) type bands around the patella. It helped me when i was younger.

I was able to play HS tennis with some discomfort and some days i just needed a break. Since it's a chronic condition, heat may help as much or more than ice. Not sure about that as ICE was the recommendation back in the 80's.

I even had surgery on one knee which removed a piece of the cartilege at the attachment point (where the pain is) but this was at about 20 years old when I was playing competitive ultimate frisbee in college, It helped alot with the tendonitis which lingered.

Ok. Thanks. We were beginning a heat regimen this week.

 

[RogueFLIP]

Heat or ice at this point for your son will be dependent on how he feels after using it. Neither will cure him, but it'll be a temporary band-aid.

Rest is important. Physical therapy can help with strengthening and stretching exercises.

Becoming aware of what your body is telling you to do is a biggie. Is your body telling you that you need to shut it down for a bit, or are you able to push yourself and be ok? Then listening to your body is equally important.

Soft tissue work, ie foam rolling, trigger point work, myofascial release can also be super helpful in dealing with pain symptoms.

Maintaining proper alignment in the system esp in the growing body also can make symptoms more tolerable.

 

[PhxRacket]

Heat or ice at this point for your son will be dependent on how he feels after using it. Neither will cure him, but it'll be a temporary band-aid.

Rest is important. Physical therapy can help with strengthening and stretching exercises.

Becoming aware of what your body is telling you to do is a biggie. Is your body telling you that you need to shut it down for a bit, or are you able to push yourself and be ok? Then listening to your body is equally important.

Soft tissue work, ie foam rolling, trigger point work, myofascial release can also be super helpful in dealing with pain symptoms.

Maintaining proper alignment in the system esp in the growing body also can make symptoms more tolerable.

Awesome advice. I just read an article by a practicing PT and he mentioned most of your points as helpful with the pain. We know that alleviation is the only option as OS will/may go away as he grows a little more.

 

[colowhisper]

Heat or ice at this point for your son will be dependent on how he feels after using it. Neither will cure him, but it'll be a temporary band-aid.

Rest is important. Physical therapy can help with strengthening and stretching exercises.

Becoming aware of what your body is telling you to do is a biggie. Is your body telling you that you need to shut it down for a bit, or are you able to push yourself and be ok? Then listening to your body is equally important.

Soft tissue work, ie foam rolling, trigger point work, myofascial release can also be super helpful in dealing with pain symptoms.

Maintaining proper alignment in the system esp in the growing body also can make symptoms more tolerable.

I feel for your son, I grew up with OS and it still affects me as an adult but to much less degree. The advice above is spot on. Foam rolling, mild stretching and rest as needed is how I cope. Most trainers PT people do NOT understand the disease. Strenghthening legs is important but be careful not to do too much jumping and stay away from deep bend weighted squats, those bother my knees the most.

 

[iverson]

My son took a supplement called oscon. It went away after that. I am not sure if it was teh medicine or if it was because he took a break for 2 months. Good luck.