Common knee concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Growth-related pain just below the kneecap
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing children and adolescents, caused by repeated stress on the area where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
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What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Osgood-Schlatter disease is one of many knee conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease settles on its own once the growth plate closes. Treatment is rest from painful activity, stretching, and time. Surgery is rarely needed.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing children and adolescents, caused by repeated stress on the area where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is treated without surgery and gets better once the growth plate at the top of the shinbone closes. Care focuses on easing pain while your child grows: cutting back on running and jumping when it hurts, ice after activity, stretching the quadriceps and hamstrings, and a strap worn below the kneecap. Most children can keep playing sports as pain allows. Steroid injections are not used for this condition.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose Osgood-Schlatter disease, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Osgood-Schlatter Disease
This is a type of injury that causes knee pain in children. It's an inflammation of a growth plate in the tibia. Growth plates are places where new bone tissue forms. They are found in the long bones of growing children. But growth plates are weaker than the surrounding bone. That makes them easier to injure.
Inside the knee.
The knee is the body's largest hinge joint: it bears your weight, absorbs impact, and lets you walk, run, and pivot. Cartilage and meniscus cushion the joint, while ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL) keep it stable. Most knee problems come from wear of those cushioning surfaces or from twisting injuries that damage a ligament or meniscus.
Symptoms and causes of Osgood-Schlatter disease
Common symptoms
- Pain and a bony bump just below the kneecap
- Pain that worsens with running, jumping, and kneeling
- Tightness in the front of the thigh
- Symptoms usually in one knee, sometimes both
Common causes
- Growth spurts (typically ages 9 to 14)
- High-impact activities (basketball, soccer, gymnastics)
- Tight quadriceps and hamstrings
- Repetitive jumping or running
How we diagnose Osgood-Schlatter disease
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for Osgood-Schlatter disease typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the knee: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat Osgood-Schlatter disease at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Cutting back on running and jumping while it hurts
- Ice after activity
- Quadriceps and hamstring stretching
- Patellar tendon strap or knee pad
- Short courses of anti-inflammatory medication
Surgical care
RarelyWhen surgery is considered
Surgery is rarely needed and is not done while a child is still growing.
- Removal of a painful loose bone fragment, in adults only
- Considered only after growth is complete and non-surgical care has not relieved the pain
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Knee care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our knee specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a knee specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a knee specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the knee that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your knee recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the knee, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the knee.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Knee considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the knee. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our knee doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our knee specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Meet your knee specialists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Hayk Stepanyan, MD
Total Joint & Sports Medicine
- Glendale
- Santa Fe Springs
- East Los Angeles
Care for Osgood-Schlatter disease starts here
Don't let Osgood-Schlatter disease be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. From activity changes and stretching to physical therapy, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a knee specialist in Los Angeles.
Common Osgood-Schlatter questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a knee specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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