Evaluation and conservative treatment for Osgood-Schlatter disease: A critical review of the literature

Background Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a tibial tubercle traction apophysitis resulting from repetitive strain on the patellar tendon insertion. OSD can lead to significant functional limitations and disability that can persist into adulthood. Methods The authors of this review systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL, TWUniversal, and The Cochrane Library for articles dated from January 1980 to December 2013 that related to the evaluation and conservative treatment of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Search phrases included ‘Osgood-Schlatter disease AND diagnosis’ and ‘Osgood-Schlatter disease AND treatment’. Articles were assessed for evidence strength based upon modified criteria from the evidence-based medicine pyramid and the diagnosis and treatment sections of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence Table. Findings There is a wealth of evidence to support a clinical diagnosis of Osgood-Schlatter disease. There is also fair evidence to employ functional outcome measures during evaluation. Evidence concerning conservative treatments for Osgood-Schlatter disease ranges from poor to strong based upon the intervention. Conclusion While strong evidence for clinical diagnosis is supported by the literature, further research is required to establish definitive functional outcome measures and effective interventions in the management of Osgood-Schlatter disease.